Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE)’s Post

How to get through an emergency?­ Surround yourself with 800 strong, powerful women leaders. The Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) Leadership Forum is about connecting, elevating and advancing women dedicating our careers to a just energy transition. But as Hurricane #Milton went from a Cat 1 to a Cat 5 in 24 hours - taking direct aim at my mother in Gulf Coast Florida - I was distracted. I watched radar coverage from the airport while awaiting my flight to D.C. Tears filled my eyes at the sight of another massive, sprawling storm. I wasn’t the only one; veteran meteorologist John Morales went viral for getting emotional on the air. "With climate-driven extremes putting us in a place that we haven’t been before, it’s very difficult to stay cool, calm, and collected.” he explained. As Forum events ended, I stayed up each night tracking the storm and communicating with loved ones, inundated with messages from concerned family and friends. “Didn’t she evacuate?” The WRISE Forum brought everything full circle. This Forum is about all of us – each individual and our power together. Professional and personal development to bring our best to the energy transition. I began my career in renewable energy advocacy under the wings of a phenomenal woman leader, mentor and best boss I’ve ever had, Rachel Shimshak (ret. former Renewable Northwest leader). She made me a clean energy advocate for life and taught me how to be an unflinchingly strong yet compassionate leader. She led by example. No one has taught me more than my beautiful mom. Everyone at this Forum intrinsically knew. WRISE Executive Director Doseke Akporiaye acknowledged the hurricane – and my mother – during her opening remarks. Women I'd never met, like Shanaya Byrd, went out of their way to care. And as last night's reception wrapped, the text I was hoping for all week came through. It was Mom. She made it through. Climate emergencies will impact all of us. I founded Climate Line LLC with a mission – scaling solutions. No professional network is better prepared, skilled or up for the challenge to realize an equitable clean energy world than this community of phenomenal women leaders and allies. As a proud WRISE member, I can’t strongly enough encourage others to get involved and support this powerful force for positive, necessary change. Thank you, Doseke Akporiaye, and Solar Energy Industries Association CEO Abby Hopper for your exceptional leadership. Thank you WRISE team and volunteers for a record-shattering success of an event. And thanks to old and new colleagues/friends who brought the energy, knowledge and power. The sheer joy outshines all else in these pictures. #WRISE2024 #WomenLeaders #CleanEnergy #ClimateSolutions #Equity Constance Thompson, CCDP/AP Ann E. Gravatt Shobha Susan Eason Tara Brown-Selders, MBA Alana Duerr Linda Leal Miriam Athmer Erika Symmonds Drăgălina Loghin, PMP Gema del Hoyo, MBA, CFA ESG Jasmile De-Jesus, MPA