Schneider: The Winding Path to Corporate Sustainability

The path to corporate sustainability is not a linear journey. 

Sustainability can be considered a complex transformation, due to the involvement of energy markets, digital technologies, supply chains and stakeholder expectations. 

Steve Wilhite, Executive Vice President leading SE Advisory Services, Schneider Electric’s global consulting branch, understands the need for change.

Inside Steve’s career

Steve’s career has always been in line with the energy transition. 

He started at Florida Power & Light (FPL) in rates and marketing, advanced through to Manager in Energy Logistics at International Paper and held the role of Vice President in Energy Services at Duke Energy Corporation and then FPL.

In 1999 he joined Summit Energy, becoming President in 2002 and CEO in 2007.

When Schneider Electric acquired Summit in 2011, Steve brought his expertise to help build one of the most respected sustainability consulting teams in the world.

Working at SE Advisory Services

The team he leads supports more than 40% of the Fortune 500 and advises more than 3,000 clients on the energy transition – to date.

The company’s specialties include: 

• Energy and risk management
• Sustainability and net zero strategy
• Energy efficiency and electrification
• Renewable energy procurement
• Nature- and technology-based solutions
• Supply chain engagement. 

The goal is straightforward, even if the work is not - help organisations buy energy smarter, use resources more efficiently and grow more sustainably.

“Even the most successful organisations are navigating unprecedented complexity, alongside extraordinary pressure to innovate,” says SE Advisory Services.

“Rising cost pressures demand new operating models, while AI and digital technologies open possibilities that were not imaginable a few years ago.”

SE Advisory Services and Steve understand that the world of sustainability is ever evolving.

Steve explains that SE Advisory Services’ “evolved portfolio of solutions redefines the consulting experience.

“We combine deep expertise, global implementation and AI-powered software, creating a seamless path from vision to results. 

“This is the same approach we used to transform Schneider Electric – financially and operationally – into the World’s #1 Most Sustainable Company.”

Steve emphasises that he has “a passion for technology-based service-orientated endeavours, with an emphasis on how leaders can help create an effective service ethos".

A new chapter

Steve’s track record is helping shape the way as Schneider Electric launches SE Advisory Services, built to help organisations tackle today’s rising cost pressures and unprecedented complexity while unlocking the potential of AI and digital technologies. 

Drawing on nearly two centuries of leadership through industrial and digital revolutions, Schneider Electric offers an integrated end-to-end model that spans energy and risk management, decarbonisation, nature-based solutions, operational efficiency and digitalisation. 

The offer combines deep domain expertise, global implementation and AI-powered, native software to move clients from vision to measurable outcomes, the same approach used to transform Schneider Electric into the world’s most sustainable company. 

With thousands of consultants and technical specialists, SE Advisory Services strengthens performance, mitigates risk and builds resilience for organisations ready to act boldly and wisely.