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The 92 ReportAuthor: Will Bachman
Conversations with the Harvard and Radcliffe Class of 1992, hosted by Will Bachman '92. Every member of the class has a story to tell, and the goal is to interview every one of them. There are 1,600 members of the class, so at a rate of one episode per week, this project will take 30 years. Register for email updates at 92report.com Language: en Genres: Education, Personal Journals, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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160. Tobey (Weintraub) Collins, Energy Transaction Expert and International Enthusiast
Monday, 16 February, 2026
Show Notes: Tobey Weintraub Collins pursued a master's degree in international relations at Georgetown, where she met her husband who joined the US Foreign Service. Tobey worked in project finance in Brazil and Venezuela, focusing on energy projects, and later worked for AES Corp in the US and Chile. She eventually moved back to the US and has been at Astris for the past 13 years, specializing in energy and infrastructure investment banking. Life in Venezuela Tobey describes Venezuela in 2000-2001 as relatively normal, with the US still influential, and her work focused on Central America and the Caribbean. She notes that Caracas was a pleasant place to live, though it was quieter compared to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Tobey reflects on the changes in Venezuela since then, expressing optimism for the future despite the current challenges. She shares a personal story about her son being born in Venezuela and the family's eventual move back to the US. Venezuela Under Chavez The conversation turns to Chavez's administration and the reforms he implemented. Tobey recalls the acquisition of the largest electricity distribution company in Venezuela by AES during her time in Venezuela. She acknowledges Chavez's initial leftist leanings but notes that he later became more radical. Tobey shares a story about a deal she worked on in Guatemala, helping to refinance a company's debt. She explains the due diligence process, the importance of understanding business risks, and the role of rating agencies in structuring deals. Working at AES Tobey talks about her time at AES and the types of deals she worked on. She joined AES during a critical period when the company narrowly avoided bankruptcy and needed to restructure its debt. She worked on restructuring debt facilities in Latin America, including in Brazil, and later became the CFO of AES's business in Chile. Tobey describes a notable transaction in Chile involving twin bonds to refinance transmission lines, which was innovative at the time. She highlights the importance of client relationships in the investment banking industry. Working in the Battery Storage Sector When asked about her current role at Astris and recent deals she has found exciting, Tobey explains that her focus has shifted more to the US and Canada, particularly in the battery storage sector. She describes working with a client to bid on a long-term contract for battery projects in Ontario, which they won. Tobey discusses the challenges and opportunities in the battery storage market, including the need for reliable electricity supply. She mentions the importance of data centers and the challenges they face in securing enough energy generation capacity. The Demand for Electricity in the US Tobey explains that electricity demand in the US is expected to grow, necessitating more generation capacity. She discusses the role of traditional sources like gas-fired power plants and new technologies like small modular reactors and geothermal energy. Tobey highlights the importance of transmission lines and energy storage solutions to address the demand. She notes the need for investment and innovation to meet the growing demand for electricity. A Love of Latin American Cuisine Tobey praises the food in Mexico City, Lima, and Brazil, highlighting the regional variations and delicious dishes. She shares her love for cooking and her hobby of trying new cuisines. Tobey recounts recent travel experiences, including a trip to Morocco and Japan, and the cultural and culinary highlights of these destinations. She emphasizes the importance of traveling to new places and having new experiences. Harvard Reflections Tobey credits her close friendships with women from Harvard as the most lasting gift from her time there. She mentions a professor, Stephan Haggard, who taught political economy and had a significant influence on her career. Tobey reflects on the intersection of business and politics in her work, particularly in Latin America. She highlights the importance of maintaining connections with friends and colleagues from Harvard. Timestamps: 03:47: Life in Venezuela During the Chavez Era 05:28: Challenges and Opportunities in Venezuela 09:15: Tobey's Role at AES and Notable Transactions 16:11: Current Focus and Recent Deals at Astris 18:52: Insights on Data Centers and US Electricity Demand 25:57: Favorite Cuisines and Travel Experiences 33:16: Impact of Harvard and Lasting Connections Links: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobey-s-collins-2208951/ Featured Non-profit: The featured non-profit of this week's is brought to you by Kristen Hunter who reports: "Hi. I'm Kristen Hunter, Class of 1992. The featured nonprofit of this episode of The 92 Report is project Reap. Project Reap, the real estate Associate Program advances diversity, equity and inclusion in commercial real estate by providing industry education, training and connections to underrepresented professionals. I'm privileged to serve as an advisor to Project Reap, which continues to transform the talent pipeline under the dynamic leadership of its executive director, Tanisha Nash Laird. You can learn more and support their work at Project Reap. That's project R, E, A, p.org, and now here is Will Bachman with this week's episode." To find out more about their work, visit: www.ProjectReap.org. This episode on The 92 Report: https://92report.com/?post_type=podcast&p=1904&preview=true *AI generated show notes and transcript
