Women of Wind Energy (WoWE) announced a new name and logo May 16 during a live, virtual event before hundreds of supporters across the country. Under the new name, Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE), the organization will continue to build on more than 10 years of success working to advance women across the renewable energy spectrum.
In order to fully live the organizational mission to support a robust renewable energy economy, WRISE (pronounced rise) is opening its programs and services to go beyond its wind-energy legacy.
In response to ongoing conversations with stakeholders and recent industry trends, WRISE will continue to work with the wind industry but will broaden its scope to include solar, energy storage, energy efficiency, energy management, and power marketers focused on renewables, transmission, distributed generation, and smart-grid technologies.
“It is an exciting time as the renewable-energy sector grows and women enter the workforce in increasing numbers,” said Kristen Graf, WRISE executive director. “We look forward to working with a broader community of industry professionals to advance, connect, and empower women across various fields who are engaged in moving the world toward a renewable energy future.”
WRISE will build upon its many successes including:
- 3,000-plus network participants
- 480-plus one-on-one and peer-group mentoring participants
- 80-plus Rudd Mayer fellows and Wind at Our Backs scholars
- 35 chapters across the U.S. and Canada
- 25 awards given for Woman of the Year, Rising Star, and Champion
- 21 webinars covering renewable energy and energy storage topics
- Seven annual leadership forum events
“This is a pivotal time for the energy sector and an exciting time for our organization,” said Jennifer Martin, WRISE president and co-chairwoman of the Stoel Rives LLP energy practice. “Working with women and men from the different technologies will allow us to fully embrace our mission to achieve a strong diversified workforce and support a renewable energy economy.”
WRISE is developing a website to support the expanded scope and direction, while keeping our mission the same and continuing to be a leading organization in this confluence of technologies.
Alongside its more than 3,000 supporters, the organization has been strongly supported by corporations that align with our mission by sponsoring a myriad of programs or more foundationally as an overall contributor.
Source: WRISE
