Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE)

While it’s always emotional, one of my favorite parts of the last three Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) Leadership Forums has been the opportunity to honor the legacy of my friend, Kacie Peters. This year, I had the privilege of presenting the 2025 Kacie Peters Impact Award to Hadia Sheerazi, whose work so beautifully embodies Kacie’s legacy — using clean energy to build bridges, advance equity, and create meaningful, lasting impact. Kacie believed that renewable energy could change the world for the better — and leaders like Hadia remind us that her vision continues to shine bright in this industry and community. #WRISE2025 #TogetherWeWRISE

From serving 20 years and 11 days in the United States Air Force to now helping drive the clean energy transition, Brittainny Jones’ story is a powerful example of what’s possible when companies stay open-minded about talent. After two decades in a highly structured environment, the shift to corporate America wasn’t easy. “I thought I knew myself well until I came into this world,” Brittainny shared. “I had to unlearn so much — the culture is different, people communicate differently. But Leeward showed me grace, taught me, and invested in training me.” When she started, Brittainny’s knowledge of renewables didn’t go beyond rooftop solar. Today, she’s learned about the many ways this industry intersects with sustainability — from pollinator habitats and solar grazing to how projects support healthier ecosystems. “We’re saving the planet, and I feel a better sense of purpose and alignment,” she said. Huge credit to the team at Leeward Renewable Energy for recognizing the value Brittainny could bring — and for creating pathways for veterans and people from outside the sector to thrive in clean energy. Thank you to the sponsors for helping make the Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) Leadership Forum and these opportunities to connect and learn possible, including American Clean Power Association (ACP), DNV, RWE, Arevon, CleanCapital, Ulteig, Primoris Services Corporation, MasTec, Pattern Energy, Clearway Energy Group, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), Southern Power, Scout Clean Energy, EDP Renewables and Solar Energy Industries Association. If you're looking for you next role in cleantech, take a look at the latest job openings through the link in comments. I'd also be happy to connect if you're expanding your team. #wrise #cleanenergy #womeninenergy #cleantech #renewables #wrise2025 #solarpower #renewableenergy #cleanpower #solarenergy #energystorage #WRISEleadershipforum

Strongly optimistic about the future of clean energy, Sheri Givens, President & CEO of Smart Electric Power Alliance, points to one powerful fact: "81% of all electric utility customers in the U.S. are now served by a utility with a 100% clean energy goal." Even amid recent federal policy changes, she sees strong momentum for where the industry is headed. As Sheri put it, the clean energy transition isn’t slowing down — it’s being driven forward by utilities, communities, and innovators across the country who know decarbonization isn’t optional. Thank you for sharing, Sheri, and thank you SEPA for all that you do to push our industry forward. Huge thanks also to the sponsors for helping make the Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) Leadership Forum possible, including American Clean Power Association (ACP), EDP Renewables, Scout Clean Energy, DNV, RWE, Arevon, CleanCapital, Ulteig, Primoris Services Corporation, MasTec, Pattern Energy, Clearway Energy Group, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), Southern Power and Solar Energy Industries Association. Your support powers the future of clean energy leadership. If you're looking for you next role in cleantech, take a look at the latest job openings through the link in comments. I'd also be happy to connect if you're expanding your team. #wrise #cleanenergy #womeninenergy #cleantech #renewables #wrise2025 #solarpower #renewableenergy #cleanpower #solarenergy #energystorage #WRISEleadershipforum

Excited to kick things off at the WRISE Leadership Forum in Atlanta with Ayanna Nibbs, Chief Marketing Officer at CRC-IB — and a fellow Brooklyn girl. Ayanna shared what it meant to be surrounded by women — especially women of color — in an industry where we’re still underrepresented. That visibility and connection matter, and it’s part of what makes Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) such a critical space for our sector. With nearly two decades in renewables, Ayanna's also seen the industry weather plenty of ups and downs. While things may feel like they’re slowing now, Ayanna reminds us that the mission doesn’t change — we have to keep pushing forward, because there’s no other option. Huge thanks to the sponsors for helping make the Forum possible, including American Clean Power Association (ACP), EDP Renewables, Scout Clean Energy, DNV, RWE, Arevon, CleanCapital, Ulteig, Primoris Services Corporation, MasTec, Pattern Energy, Clearway Energy Group, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), Southern Power and Solar Energy Industries Association. Your support powers the future of clean energy leadership. If you're looking for you next role in cleantech, take a look at the latest job openings through the link in comments. I'd also be happy to connect if you're expanding your team. #wrise #cleanenergy #womeninenergy #cleantech #renewables #wrise2025 #solarpower #renewableenergy #cleanpower #solarenergy #energystorage #WRISEleadershipforum

Our WRISE NYC chapter leaders had the pleasure of hosting an energizing Networking Breakfast to kick off #REFFNorthAmerica 2025 at the Metropolitan Club of New York 🗽 to close out a dynamic #NYClimateWeek. Co-facilitated by Meg Sprotte and Hadia Sheerazi, the morning session brought together a cross-section of industry leaders from around the world to dive into big questions — from #financing and securing #community buy-in, to #supplychain reshoring and #riskmanagement — sparking new ideas and collaborations over coffee and croissants. 📊 A live Slido poll revealed interesting insights: ☢️ Nuclear and 🔋Long-Duration Energy Storage tied for the #technologies expected to grow most in the next 3–5 years, while ⚖️ policy and regulatory uncertainty were identified as a significant barrier to scaling #renewables. Special shoutout to Shira Rosenblatt, Con Edison, Anna Shpitsberg, WattsNext Advisory and Trixie (Ligon) Blair, Greenbacker for sharing brilliant insights on panels focused on #financing grid connection and minimizing costs, #grid resilience and #cybersecurity, and the prognosis for the renewables sector. A heartfelt thank you to Penny Creed and the IJGlobal team for partnering with WRISE NYC to make this great session possible! We’re excited to welcome new members to Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) and look forward to continuing the conversations at the #WRISE2025 Leadership Forum Forum in Atlanta, Georgia next week! #WRISE #REFFNA #CleanEnergy #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #NYClimateWeek #EnergyLeadership #EnergyFinance

🥂 Cheers to #womeninenergy! Arevon recently sponsored the Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) Happy Hour, which was attended by members of our Generating Leadership Opportunities for Women (GLOW) Affinity Group. The event fostered network strengthening and sparked meaningful conversations. A special shoutout goes to Arevon’s Vice President, Treasurer Deirdra Redmon, who contributed to an inspiring panel on #careeradvancement. #femaleleadership #career #careergrowth #careerdevelopment #professionaldevelopment #renewableenergy #renewables

What a great start to #WRISE2025! After several 1:1 coaching sessions, this amazing group of women in renewables took a tour to learn about the #PlatinumLeed Mercedes-Benz Stadium Thanks to Lockton for sponsoring this event! #RiseUp #WriseUp #AtlantaFalcons #WRISELeadershipForum2025 🌟 Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE)