Hema Hattangady was one of the Founders and first Chairperson of AEEE. She was the Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Conzerv Systems Pvt. Ltd. (later acquired by Schneider Electric India). Hema formulated the initial vision, engaged and lined up the support of businesses - Schneider Electric, Thermax Limited, Grundfos Pumps India and Development Enviroenergy Services Ltd. and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and led and positioned AEEE as an energy efficiency industry association - the first of its kind with the active support of USAID’s ECO-III project. She continued to serve on the Executive Council of AEEE until 2016 and provided strategic advice and guidance to the top management of AEEE.