Sparkz Taps Emmy-Winning Storyteller Michelle Bandur to Lead Marketing, Communications 

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Veteran journalist to drive storytelling, brand strategy supporting Sparkz’s mission to power a more sustainable energy future. 

 

Sacramento, CA- March 23, 2026 – 

 

Sparkz, Inc., Innovator of America’s energy future, today announced adding a new member to the company’s growing team. 

 

Communications expert Michelle Bandur joins the Sparkz leadership team as Vice President of Marketing and Communications. 

 

Michelle brings more than 30 years of experience as a trusted and accomplished television journalist in major markets including Los Angeles, CA, Omaha, NE, San Antonio, TX, and most recently Sacramento, CA. Known for her compelling storytelling and deep community connections, Michelle brings a unique ability to translate complex issues into impactful reports for all to understand. 

 

During her career, Michelle earned an Edward R. Murrow journalism award, four Emmy’s and many other awards and accolades recognizing her storytelling from investigations that changed laws to breaking news. 

 

CEO Sanjiv Malhotra recognized Michelle’s communication and storytelling skills when she reported on their operation in 2025. 

 

“Michelle is a dynamic communicator with an extraordinary track record of connecting with audiences and building trust,” said CEO and founder of Sparkz, Sanjiv Malhotra. 

 

Michelle will help tell Sparkz’s unique story of creating a national movement around American energy independence and building the LFP battery ecosystem in the United States as the company expands its impact in the rapidly evolving energy landscape. 

 

“I’m thrilled to join Sparkz at such an exciting time,” said Michelle. “This is an innovative company with a bold vision, and I look forward to sharing this important story of energizing the nation’s future.” 

 

About Sparkz: 

Sparkz is building a fully domestic lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery ecosystem to power energy storage systems, grid infrastructure, AI data centers, and industrial electrification. By integrating materials, cells, and battery energy storage systems within the United States, Sparkz is strengthening domestic supply chains while enabling resilient, affordable energy for the next generation of American industry. 

 

Building an economical battery: 

Cathode material accounts for 35% of a battery’s cost, making it a crucial factor in determining overall pricing. The reliance on imported materials prevents companies from fully utilizing U.S. tax credits and drives up costs. Sparkz understands the urgent need for the battery industry to reduce costs and believes that establishing a fully domestic supply chain for cathode material is key. 

 

Media Contact:

Michelle Bandur

VP Marketing & Corporate Communications 

media@sparkz.energy 

Sparkz Inc. 

Founder & CEO

Dr. Sanjiv Malhotra

Dr. Sanjiv Malhotra is the founder and CEO of Sparkz—the battery start-up reinventing the energy supply chain.

 

Malhotra has been a leader in the energy sector for nearly three decades as a founder, investor and executive. Most recently, he served as the inaugural director for the Energy Investor Center at the U.S Department of Energy (DOE), serving under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

 

At DOE, Malhotra led the Obama Administration’s initiative to boost public-private partnerships to accelerate the commercialization of technologies developed in national research centers like Oak Ridge National Labs.

 

Malhotra was recruited to the Department of Energy after a successful exit of Oorja Protonics—the world leader in methanol fuel cells—which he founded and led as CEO for 10 years. Oorja raised $50 Million in equity financing from leading VCs such as Sequoia, DAG Ventures, Artis Capital and others during his tenure. He boosted Oorja’s revenue and profitability growth, while expanding operations globally in Japan, China, South Africa, Mexico, and India.

 

Oorja was acquired in 2014 by the Private Equity firm MinXing Growth Fund.

 

As an investor and consultant, Malhotra has worked at leading venture capital firms, including Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers as an advisor on clean energy and advanced materials.

 

Earlier in his career, Malhotra led the engineering and product development team at H Power, a pioneer in hydrogen fuel cells. As part of the management team, he managed the successful IPO, which raised more than $100 million in August 2000.

 

He began his career as a post-doctoral fellow at the renowned Lawrence Berkeley National Labs on electrochemical storage systems. Dr. Malhotra has authored seven patents and more than 40 publications in various fields of energy storage technology and materials. He holds a PhD in chemical engineering and an M.B.A from University of Iowa.