An intensive training for high potential managers and supervisors through exposure to broad perspectives of the utility business, its interrelationships and successful leadership strategies. This program is designed by a utility-driven Curriculum Development Team, and directed by facilitators, and executive and alumni mentors. Program sessions are hosted by member utilities and topics are presented by executives, subject matter experts and formal instructors. The first four sessions focus on leadership development, industry perspectives, customer connections, communications and strategic planning. The program includes a capstone project which is delivered to industry leaders at the WEI Annual Meeting. Participants build a broad peer network that continues well into their future careers.
Participants are nominated by WEI members and selected through a formal application review process. Applicants make a commitment to attend and actively participate at each session, and should plan time for additional work between sessions. It is expected that students commit to completing “homework” assignments during evenings and off-hours with additional assignments required outside of the normal work day. Each group is assigned one executive and one alumni mentor who will support the group’s development throughout the program and guide them to a successful final project.
8:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Optional Capstone Work Time
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM
Check-in + Welcome
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Capstone Dress Rehearsal
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Break
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Capstone Dress Rehearsal
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
Capstone Dress Rehearsal
1:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Break
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
Capstone Dress Rehearsal
2:15 PM - 2:45 PM
Break
2:45 PM - 3:30 PM
Capstone Dress Rehearsal
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Break
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM
Capstone Dress Rehearsal
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Welcome to NW Natural
Speaker(s): David Anderson, President & CEO, NW Natural
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Break
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Capstone Collaboration
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Break
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Executive Speaker
Speaker(s): Frank Burkhartsmeyer, CFO, NW Natural
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Capstone Work Time
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Homework Discussion + Industry Roundtable
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Break
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Alumni Panel + Capstone Preparation Discussion
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Break
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Strategic Leadership + NW Utility Landscape Panel
Moderator(s): Jana Elliott, Chief of Staff, Seattle City Light
Panelist(s): Mary Moerlins, Director of Environmental Policy & Corporate Responsibility, NW Natural, Nels Johnson, State Government Affairs Manager, NW Natural, Sunny Radcliffe, Director, Government Affairs and Environmental Policy, Portland General Electric, Kristen Sheeran, Director of Sustainability and Resource Planning, Portland General Electric
5:00 PM - 6:45 PM
Executive Networking Reception
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Business Development Speaker
Speaker(s): Anna Chittum, Business Development Director, NW Natural
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Debrief/Discussion
9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
Break
9:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Shark Tank Intro + Work Time
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Shark Tank Presentations
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch
12:45 PM - 1:00 PM
Shark Tank Winner
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Professional Road Map + Next Steps
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Debrief + Close
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Optional Capstone Work Time
Please contact the hotel directly at (503) 226-1611 to reserve your room. Identify yourself as being with “WEI BAEL Session 4” to receive a special rate of $165 USD/night. This rate is guaranteed until July 25, 2022 or until the WEI room block is full.