Yesterday, NYEW 2016 brought together a panel of women leaders to share their experiences in the energy industry, insights about current trends, and advice for other women starting their careers in energy. The panelists included Colleen Calhoun, Director of Business Development & Partnerships, Current powered by GE; Tina Palmero, Deputy Director, NYS Department of Public Service; and Andrianne Payson, Partner, Co-Chair, US Energy-Power Sector, DLA Piper, with Amanda Levin, Energy & Utilities Advisor, PA Consulting Group, as the moderator.
The panelists remembered the days of being the only women in conferences in an industry that has historically been dominated by men. However, seeing some leaders – including a CFO of a major utility company – address the audience at a large event inspired Amanda Levin, for example, to start a successful career in energy.
Don’t be shy, speak up, and ask appropriate questions to the smartest people – this was the panelists’ advice to the young women in the room. Colleen Calhoun also added that building an expertise in something within the company helps to prove oneself and advance one’s career.
Panelists and Audience at the Women Disrupting Power event at NYEW 2016
And what about the current trends in energy? The experts talked about the importance of integrating new technologies into the grid, utility partnerships with startups to bring innovative approaches to customer engagement, and the growing power of large customers vis-a-vis the utilities. “If they don’t get it from their provider they will go independent,” said Colleen Calhoun about large electricity consumers seeking to buy more renewable energy.
