Energy professionals across several sectors will gather Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, to explore innovation, technology and the role women play in this evolving industry. The third annual Women IN Energy conference, “Partnering to Power the Future,” will provide an opportunity for women to learn and engage in thoughtful, relevant discussions.
“I’m in total awe as I think about the momentum our conference has had in the past three years, and am extremely grateful for the amazing group of women who have committed to making this conference a huge success; we could not do it without them! This conference continues to embody the heart behind why it was created; to celebrate diversity, empower women and help transform the energy industry,” stated Tameka McNair, Women IN Energy co-founder and C+AI security program manager at Microsoft.
In a recent report, the U.S. Agency for International Development cited one study that showed customer satisfaction increased when one power company moved to create a more equal balance of male and female customer service employees. Data from Ernst & Young indicates placing more women on company boards of directors yields higher returns.
“We have a great line up planned for the conference this year, including the enhancement of the technology speakers. The energy landscape is rapidly changing, and the conference planning committee strives to stay relevant in the industry. We are so grateful for our sponsors and everyone who is interested in attending because, without them, this conference would not be possible,” stated Kelly Snyder, Women IN Energy co-founder and senior origination manager at EDP Renewables North America.
In 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 22.8 percent of the electric power workforce is female, demonstrating an increase from the previous year. As the industry continues to evolve through innovation and technology, organizations recognize the increasing need for diversity and inclusion among all ranks of employees, including at the executive level.
The 2019 Women IN Energy conference will be held at 502 East Event Centre, located at 502 East Carmel Drive in Carmel, Indiana. The keynote address will be presented by Sherina Maye Edwards, partner at Quarles and Brady, LLP. There will also be an executive panel on diversity in leadership, additional speakers on the digital transformation of the industry, and three interactive breakout sessions.
The annual Women IN Energy Conference, first held in 2017, is a result of a collaboration among MISO, Duke Energy, Indianapolis Power & Light Company, EDP Renewables North America, ACES and Parr Richey, a utility-focused legal firm.
Learn more about the conference and sponsoring organizations at www.womeninenergyconference.org. Limited tickets are available to the public.