Nov

08-10

Women in Energy Symposium (Nov 08-10)

Celebrating how far women have come in the energy sector and addressing how far we’ve yet to go! Women are traditionally underrepresented in the energy industry. This program addresses some of the evolving opportunities and challenges that women face and advocates for workplace inclusion and teamwork across gender, racial, and generational demographics. Everyone is invited to attend the Women in Energy Symposium whether or not you identify as a woman. Women in Energy Symposium participants join together to explore areas such as leadership, education, networking and mentorship. We strive to incorporate both professional development and industry evolution on the agenda. With a growing emphasis on cross-functional teams and diverse skill sets, this program supports utility directives to build a cohesive workforce. This program is open to anyone in all facets of the utility industry.

General Details

  • Program Chair(s)
  • Megan Weismantel, Burns & McDonnell

    • Program Location
    • Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas
    • 6333 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
    • Who Should Attend
    • Everyone is invited to attend the Women in Energy Symposium whether or not you identify as a woman. Women and men in all facets of the utility industry, whether leadership, craft, technical, or professional, are encouraged to join us for this dynamic conversation. Women can gain knowledge and perspective on how to develop and get ahead in a traditionally male-influenced industry. Men can gain insight into the issues women face in the industry to improve team development and synergy. And everyone can learn where utilities are seeing successes in attracting and retaining their female workforce, while effectively leveraging the benefits of greater organizational diversity. If you have an interest in this for yourself or your employees, join us!

  • Registration Options
  • Conference Registration: $699 USD

    Registration prices increases $100 after October 16, 2023. Registration includes all sessions, conference materials, and food events. Guest tickets are available for $150 and allow a personal guest (a spouse or partner who does not work in the energy industry) to accompany a registered attendee at the event. Guest registration includes all meals and receptions.

  • General Cancellation Policy
  • Due to contractual obligations, cancellations received 15 business days prior to the program will receive a full refund. Cancellations received 6 to 14 business days prior to the event will receive a refund, less a $100 administrative fee. No shows and last minute cancellations, 5 business days prior to the event or less, will be responsible for the full registration fee. Substitutions from your organization for the same event are always welcome.
  • Participation Policy
  • Western Energy Institute programs and events are open to energy companies (including gas production and electric generation, gas and electric transmission and gas and electric distribution utilities). Select programs and events are open to energy industry product and service suppliers. Programs and events are closed to all media representatives and to the general public.
  • For more information contact Beverly Woolf, Director of Programs at (971) 303-2294.

Agenda

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

9:45 AM - 3:30 PM

Optional Networking Opportunities

Please see the Networking tab for more information.

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Program Development Team and First-Time Attendee Meetup

4:30 - 6:30

Welcome Reception

Sponsored by KPMG

Thursday, November 9, 2023

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Networking Breakfast

sponsored by Michels

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Welcome + Conference Overview
Speaker(s): Megan Weismantel, Sales Operations Manager, Burns & McDonnell

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

One Woman’s Perspective: Navigating Through Leadership
Speaker(s): Sarah Kist, Senior Director, T&D Engineering & Construction, Arizona Public Service Company

Imposter syndrome anyone?! Being a female in a male dominated industry is not easy. Sarah will share her thoughts on how to navigate as a woman and be successful in the utility industry. Speaking from twenty years of experience, Sarah will discuss her experiences in leadership and touch on skills that are critical in a time of momentous change – both for Arizona Public Service and the utility industry as a whole.

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Networking Break

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Table Topics

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

EV Fleets – The Disconnect between Initiatives and Capabilities
Moderator(s): Anni Glogovac, Counsel II, Avista Corp.
Panelist(s): Shae Davies, Fleet & Garage Operations Manager, Portland General Electric, Julie Gomez, T&D Supervisor, Tucson Electric Power, Lissa Brady, Fleet Asset Manager, San Diego Gas & Electric Company

Join us as we hear from a panel of Western Utility Fleet Managers on the industry and regulatory challenges of transforming a Utility Fleet to meet the industry’s Net Zero Commitments.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Networking Lunch

sponsored by Burns & McDonnell

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Bridging the Gap between Operations and the Business Side
Speaker(s): Cheryl Mele, VP Customer Care and Communications, El Paso Electric Company

Utility companies often have a gap between the "standard" business functions (e.g., Human Resources, Finance, Customer Service) and the Operational functions. This session seeks to share information on the perspective of each group and how they approached and overcame the gap to focus on shared business impacts.

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Networking Break

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Driving a Culture of Excellence through Employee Engagement
Speaker(s): Julie Williams, SVP/Continuous Improvement and Optimization, Southwest Gas Corporation

In moments of structural change, such as reshuffling or power restructuring, the fundamental elements of employee engagement – trust, empowerment, development, recognition, and communication – can be leveraged as tools for fortifying resilience and fostering growth. Many forward-thinking companies have successfully harnessed these pillars by establishing development, coaching, and recognition programs. These initiatives have proven potent catalysts for employee engagement, even during budget and leadership recalibration periods. These scenarios demand creative solutions. When resources are realigned, and employees are asked to optimize their output, it offers an invigorating challenge rather than an insurmountable hurdle. This environment can lead to employees unveiling untapped skills and competencies, boosting personal development and team performance.

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Wrap Up Day 1

5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Networking Reception + Dinner

sponsored by MasTec West

Friday, November 10, 2023

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Networking Breakfast

sponsored by Wilson Construction

8:00 AM - 8:15 AM

Welcome to Day 2

8:15 AM - 9:15 AM

Climate Vulnerability and Future of the Industry
Panelist(s): Laura Nelson, Vice President/Sustainability and Public Policy, Southwest Gas Corporation, Michelle Kisil, Vice President, Customer Experience & Initiatives, ATCO Natural Gas, Mike Gomez, Sr. Energy Projects Advisor/Emerging Technology & Innovation, Southwest Gas Corporation

The energy industry is facing calls for change to combat the climate crisis. Join us to explore how energy providers are leaning into ways to leverage diverse energy portfolios while facing the challenges of renewable energies to be both sustainable, climate focused and accessible for customers.

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Networking Break

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Technology and Policy Changes to Support Clean Energy Transitions
Speaker(s): Rosie Magana, Distributed Energy Resources Manager, Southern California Gas Company, Leilah Saadi, Project Engineer, POWER Engineers, Inc.

Renewable energy policies in the United States have been evolving over the past few decades in response to concerns about climate change, energy security, and economic competitiveness. The focus on reducing carbon emissions and implementing renewable energy generation has led to an increase in clean energy projects, often implemented by developers rather than utilities. This raises the question for power delivery engineers: How can new generation or battery storage be safely connected to the existing electric grid while maintaining reliability and redundancy? What challenges of the policy-driven increase in electric demand and the role of utilizing fuel cell and linear generator technologies as localized sources of electric generation to reduce demand and provide supply do we face?

Please join us as we take a deeper dive to explore the process of safely connecting new generation or battery storage to the existing grid with reliability and redundancy considerations and how clean hydrogen and renewable natural gas could offer up a solution to keep the electric grid reliable as California scales up intermittent renewable resources and electric demand.

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Networking Break

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Leading Diverse Teams through Dynamic and Changing Times
Moderator(s): Karen Cash, Supplier Diversity Manager, Avista Corp.
Speaker(s): Sally Romero, VP, Gas Distribution Operations, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Hengameh Najafi, General Manager/Operations, Southwest Gas Corporation, Lacey John, Senior Change Process Leader, Tucson Electric Power

What is your team environment right now – change fatigue, burnout, siloed, poor communication, ineffective teamwork, lacking trust..? Want to learn practical tools to stay energized and lead your diverse teams through constant change? Whether “leadership” is in your formal job description or not, join us for an interactive session to gain insights and how to practically apply leadership skills during these dynamic and changing times to create an engaging culture.

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Closing Comments
Speaker(s): Megan Weismantel, Sales Operations Manager, Burns & McDonnell

Hotel + Travel

  • Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas
  • 6333 North Scottsdale Road
  • Scottsdale, Arizona 85250
  • Phone: 480 948-7750

  • Click here to make your reservation now.
  • Reservation Instructions
  • Please contact the hotel directly at (480) 948-7750 to reserve your room. Identify yourself as being with Western Energy Institute (WEI) to receive a special rate of $219 USD/night. Please note that a mandatory $15 USD/night + tax resort fee applies and includes access to various hotel amenities including self parking and guestroom internet. This rate is guaranteed until October 17, 2023 or until the WEI room block is full.

Networking

Networking activities are scheduled for Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

9:45 AM – 2:30 PM
Tour of Southwest Gas Tempe Operations Center
Cost: $110 USD
Capacity: 38
This private tour, hosted by Southwest Gas, will take you behind the scenes of their Tempe operations center. The tour will include:
• Emergency Response Training Facility – simulated city where employees, contractors and emergency responders can participate in multiple live-gas scenarios to practice emergency response and ICS techniques
• Natural gas training facilities for Operations and Customer Service
• Emergency response trailer
• Fire pit with natural gas props

Southwest Gas will discuss how it utilizes the Emergency Response Training Facility to expand outreach and training opportunities with emergency responders, opportunities that are being implemented to increase liaison efforts with emergency responders and public officials, and damage prevention initiatives utilized in the division. Transportation and lunch will be provided.

12:15 PM – 3:30 PM
Topgolf
Cost: $110 USD
Capacity: 22
Whether you golf like a pro or have never picked up a club, this is a great opportunity to network while you take a few swings. Megan Weismantel will share her expertise in using golf as a career tool as well as guidance for those who aren’t completely comfortable with the sport. Transportation and lunch will be provided.

Program Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors
Burns + McDonnell-01Copperleaf-01  Honeywell-01KPMG-01SAP-01_

Gold Sponsors
ActiveTelesource-01Acros-01 Barnard-01
HDR-01     TDW-03-01Wilson Construction-01

Conference Services + Session Sponsors
KPMG-01Burns + McDonnell-01

Wilson Construction-01

Meet The Speakers

Sarah Kist

Arizona Public Service Company

Senior Director, T&D Engineering & Construction
Learn More

Sarah Kist graduated Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. She is entering her 20th year in the utility industry with Arizona Public Service Company, starting her career at the Nation’s largest nuclear power plant, Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. Sarah has held various roles in engineering and operations in both Generation, and Transmission and Distribution. In her current role as Sr. Director, Strategic Transmission, she is responsible for the development of large Transmission line projects as well as evaluating regional transmission opportunities.

Laura Nelson

Southwest Gas Corporation

Vice President/Sustainability and Public Policy
Learn More

Dr. Laura Nelson is Vice President/Sustainability and Public Policy for Southwest Gas, a dynamic energy company providing safe and reliable service to over two million customers throughout the Arizona, Nevada, and parts of California. Laura is responsible for leading the Company’s sustainable business practices, customer growth, and public policy initiatives, while supporting the Company’s commitment to exceeding customers’ expectations, maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, and fueling communities’ economic growth.

Laura serves as the Company’s Chief Sustainability representative and subject matter expert, responsible for advancing Southwest’s ESG practices and raising stakeholder awareness for the Company’s ESG efforts; evidenced by the inclusion of sustainability metrics in the Company’s performance objectives. She is focused on shaping strategies for the energy transition and developing and executing initiatives to help minimize the Company’s environmental impact while helping our customers achieve their environmental goals through sustainable energy solutions and creating long-term value for stockholders. Laura believes that leadership is about vision, partnership, and creating an environment that empowers all employees to innovate solutions towards a sustainable future. She is leading the effort to establish a strong sustainability culture and integrate sustainable practices and values across all aspects of Company operations. Departments reporting to Laura include Public Affairs, Community Affairs, Energy Solutions, Energy Efficiency, Customer Engagement and Corporate Communications.

Laura joined the Company on May 2, 2022. She is a nationally recognized energy leader and economist with over 20 years’ experience in energy and natural resources, driving clean energy and sustainability solutions; and speaks nationally on sustainability and environmental and economic justice. Before joining Southwest Gas, she was Vice President of Consulting Services at Strategen and a Special Advisor to the Green Hydrogen Coalition. Laura served as an energy advisor to governors, held high-level positions within government agencies, and leadership positions on various clean-energy or utility-related boards and organizations.

Laura holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Utah.

Shae Davies

Portland General Electric

Fleet & Garage Operations Manager
Learn More

have worked in the fleet industry for over 25 years. I grew up in this trade, starting as an apprentice mechanic, earning my journey-level mechanic status and continuing along the career path into fleet leadership. I genuinely love this trade and am a self proclaimed fleet geek.

Julie Gomez

Tucson Electric Power

T&D Supervisor

Lissa Brady

San Diego Gas & Electric Company

Fleet Asset Manager
Learn More

Lissa Brady is the Fleet Asset Manager for SDG&E, overseeing the team responsible for the specification, design, acquisition, and disposition of Fleet assets to achieve a fully ZEV fleet by 2035. Prior to joining SDG&E Lissa held leadership roles with industry OEMs including Terex and PACCAR.

Anni Glogovac

Avista Corp.

Counsel II

Megan Weismantel

Burns & McDonnell

Sales Operations Manager

Cheryl Mele

El Paso Electric Company

VP Customer Care and Communications
Learn More

Prior to joining EPE in February 2021, much of her career was with Austin Energy, a municipally owned electric utility serving the City of Austin, Texas. While at Austin Energy, Cheryl held roles of increasing responsibility from engineer, to Director of System Operations, then on to Deputy General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. Cheryl later became the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), then returned briefly to Austin Energy to serve as the Interim Vice President of Regulatory Affairs.

Cheryl also serves as an Executive Board Member for the Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute, Boy Scouts of America, and the Association of Women in Energy.

Cheryl is a Texas-registered professional engineer, completed the utility executive program at the University of Idaho, and received her BS in mechanical engineering from Union College in Schenectady, New York.

Julie Williams

Southwest Gas Corporation

SVP/Continuous Improvement and Optimization
Learn More

Julie Williams is Senior Vice President/Continuous Improvement and Optimization of Southwest Gas Corporation. She is responsible for driving long-term positive change throughout the entire organization and accelerating the Company’s pursuit of excellence. Julie partners with executive stakeholders to develop and execute the Company’s multi-year strategic plan.

Julie is passionate about building a culture of engagement where leadership and employees work together to advance safety, quality and excellence through innovation, continuous quality improvement, and strategic implementation of technology.

Julie most recently served as the Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer where she led the five operating areas serving over 2.2 million customers in Nevada, Arizona and California, along with the centralized operations support and engineering, metrics and benchmarking, customer contact center and billing. Julie has played an instrumental role in delivering operational excellence while advancing public safety, quality, the customer experience, integrity management, and field technical and leadership development.

Julie joined Southwest in 1997 and held various engineering and operations management roles. She was appointed Vice President/Northern Nevada Division in 2010, Vice President/Southern Arizona Division in 2014, and Chief Operating Officer in 2022. Julie has provided valuable leadership on multiple transformational projects that delivered growth, reliability and sustainable natural gas for the energy future.

An alumnus of Arizona State University, Julie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and an Executive Master of Business Administration. Julie currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Western Energy Institute and the American Gas Association Operations Managing Committee.

Outside of work, Julie enjoys traveling, hiking and spending time with her husband Kaz and 8-year-old son Tomo.

Rosie Magana

Southern California Gas Company

Distributed Energy Resources Manager
Learn More

Rosie Magana is a highly accomplished energy professional boasting over 25 years of experience in managing strategic policies and programs associated with distributed energy resources. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan and professional certifications from distinguished universities such as UCLA, Stanford, and USC. Rosie provides unparalleled strategic guidance on environmental policies that directly impact power generation with clean fuels. Her expertise is nothing short of inspiring, and she sets a remarkable example for others in the field.

Leilah Saadi

POWER Engineers, Inc.

Project Engineer
Learn More

Leilah Saadi, P.E., P.M.P., is an accomplished Transmission Line Engineer currently working at POWER Engineers. With a strong background in civil engineering, Leilah has expertise in the field of transmission line and substation engineering. She holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla.

Based in San Diego, California, Leilah has established herself as a dedicated professional engineer, consistently delivering high-quality results in her role as a Transmission Line Project Engineer. With extensive knowledge and experience in electric transmission systems, it has enabled her to contribute significantly to numerous renewable energy projects. Throughout her career, Leilah has discovered her passion for finding clean energy solutions and coupled with her strong technical skills, she continues to make significant contributions to renewable energy initiatives.

Sally Romero

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

VP, Gas Distribution Operations
Learn More

Sally Romero is Vice President, Gas Distribution Operations for Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). In this capacity, she reports to the Senior Vice President of Gas Operations, she directs over 1,700 employees and leads Distribution Operations for Maintenance and Construction, Leak Survey, Corrosion, Field Service, Dispatch, Work and Resource Planning and Centralized Hard-to-Reach Customer Support for the entire territory. Sally is the co-sponsor of Woman in Engineering and Operations networking team.

Prior to her current role Sally was Director, Dispatch, Work and Resource Planning, Central Clerical and Centralized Support for PG&E. In that capacity, she oversaw field operations, dispatch emergency response, handling of 9-1-1 support calls, integrated work and resource planning; and led the continuous improvement team supporting the development of hard-to-reach customers.

Sally joined PG&E in 2001 and has 22 years of experience in the utility industry including energy efficiency, customer service and gas operations. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Chico. She also completed the Leadership Executive program of Leading Forward from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and the Leadership Executive program of Positive Leadership from Stephen M. Ross School of Business from the University of Michigan.

Sally lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two daughters. In her free time, she is often carpooling her children to soccer practice and Jui Jitsu. Her and her family enjoy travelling, raising chickens and harvesting honey from their beehives.

Hengameh Najafi

Southwest Gas Corporation

General Manager/Operations
Learn More

Hengameh Najafi is General Manager of Operations at Southwest Gas Corporation. In her role, she oversees Construction, Customer Service, New Business Projects, and Engineering in Central Arizona Division West.

Hengameh joined Southwest Gas Corporation in late 1997 as a System Planning Engineer. She has progressed through system planning, distribution pipeline engineering and project management, front-line engineering and construction supervision, operations and maintenance engineering, and management.

In September of 2017 Hengameh was promoted to the Director of Central Support. In this role, Fleet Management and Material Management were added to her department.

In 2020 Hengameh was selected as one of Phoenix Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business for her community leadership, professional accomplishments, and personal achievements.

In June of 2021 she was promoted to the General Manager/Operations/Central Arizona Division West.

An alumnus of Texas A&M University, Hengameh holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Natural Gas Engineering.

Hengameh is married with two sons. Her free time is spent hiking, shopping, dining with family and friends, and traveling.

Karen Cash

Avista Corp.

Supplier Diversity Manager

Lacey John

Tucson Electric Power

Senior Change Process Leader
Learn More

Lacey John is the Senior Change Process Leader at Tucson Electric Power (TEP), where she is an internal consultant for transformational change efforts. She helps leaders balance the content, people, and process elements from early stages of the change through implementation and to desired business results. Having started her role in January 2023, Lacey brings proven strengths and expertise to the role from her previous career at the University of Arizona for the past 13 years helping student athletes and alumni navigate important change processes.

Michelle Kisil

ATCO Natural Gas

Vice President, Customer Experience & Initiatives
Learn More

Michelle Kisil, Vice President, Customer Experience & Initiatives leads a team that supports the current and future energy needs of residential, commercial, and industrial customers at ATCO Gas and Pipelines.

Michelle has spent over 20 years in the energy sector in various leadership roles in sales, operations, start-up, and technology. Her current role focuses on customer experience and initiatives as it relates to the immediate and future energy needs of ATCO’s customers. This means delivering safe, reliable, cost- effective natural gas while also exploring alternative energy solutions in support of a low carbon future.

Whether engagement with stakeholders to serve existing & prospective customers, advocating for policy change in the interest of decarbonization, or promoting energy literacy, she appreciates the power of collaboration and diversity of thought.

Michelle has a chemistry & bioscience background. However, her passion for people and culture inspired graduate studies at Royal Roads University where she acquired a Master of Arts in Leadership.

She holds a position on the Board of Directors of the Energy Solutions Centre and in her personal time, volunteers at the Women in Needs Society. She has also been a mentor to Indigenous youth since 2016.

Michelle is a proud mom of three boys and calls Calgary home. She is a “Foodie” and enjoys yoga, cycling, and travel.

Kyle McNamara

KPMG LLP

Managing Director, Power & Utilities

Tom Peterson

KPMG LLP

Managing Director

Mike Gomez

Southwest Gas Corporation

Sr. Energy Projects Advisor/Emerging Technology & Innovation
Learn More

Mike Gomez has over 16 years of combined work experience in the utility industry. In his current role as a Sr. Energy Projects Advisor/Emerging Technology & Innovation (ETI) at Southwest Gas Corporation (Southwest) Mike helps customers and community members meet their environmental goals by developing and implementing clean energy solutions. Mike is focused on providing project development on the company’s efforts surrounding CNG vehicle fueling, RNG, and hydrogen blending. Additionally, the ETI work group helps deliver energy efficiency projects for federal customers through the company’s Utility Energy Service Contract. Mike is also on the leadership team for Southwest’s Women and Allies Employee Resource Group.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona. Mike joined Southwest as an intern in 2004 and has held various positions in engineering and business development.