The utility energy workforce is typically only about 25 percent women, as compared to the general population where women make up roughly half of the total workforce. Organizational efficiency is characterized by a balanced workforce both in terms of skill sets and perspectives. This mentorship program addresses some of the opportunities and challenges that women face working in the energy industry, advocates for workplace inclusion and teamwork, and discusses critical issues related to attracting and maintaining a diverse workforce. Formal opportunities for mentorship provide women in the industry with support for increased retention and satisfaction. Mentors and mentees are matched up across companies, and then connect over a ten-month period with two in-person meetings. This program is by invitation for mentors and application for mentees.
General Details
- Program Chair(s)
- Jeanne Vold, NorthWestern Energy
- Program Location
- KPMG - Portland
- 1300 SW 5th Ave #3800, Portland, OR 97201
- Who Should Attend
Mentors consist of executives including utility company presidents, vice presidents, general managers and senior directors who have significant experience in the utility industry and an in-depth understanding of various utility functions.
Mentees consist of directors, managers, supervisors and front-line employees who want to develop their leadership skills, gain a broad perspective of the utility industry, and discuss workplace challenges for experiential learning.Space is limited. Participants will be invited to register after being accepted to the program via the application process. Service company mentors and mentees also encouraged to apply.
WEI has several programs supporting diversity and inclusion in the utility industry. For more information about WEI’s Women in Energy Symposium, visit westernenergy.org/WIES.
- Application Process
Member: $1,449 USD
Registration includes Mentoring materials, registration for the Kick-Off meeting and Annual Meeting (includes all specified meals).
Space is limited and applications must be submitted and accepted before participants are given access to registration. View more program information including a timeline for applications and program here.
Mentor Application available here.
Mentee Application available here.
- General Cancellation Policy
- To best serve WEI members and program participants during the COVID-19 pandemic, WEI will be waiving its standard cancellation policy for this virtual program. Registrants can receive a full refund should they need to cancel their registration up to the day before the program begins.
- 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. Recording is not permitted for any portion of the event.
- For more information contact Jessica Grant, Program Manager at (971) 930-2032.
Agenda
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Registration and Check-In
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Welcome and Introduction
Facilitator(s): Jeanne Vold, Vice President – Technology, NorthWestern Energy
Get to know the other mentors and mentees of the Women in Leadership Brilliance Cohort. Attendees are encouraged to share their background in the energy industry and individual goals for what they hope to get out of the program.
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Mentoring Success Case Study
A mentor and mentee from last year's Women in Leadership Mentorship program will share their insights on getting the best value from your relationship as a Mentor and Mentee.
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Networking Break
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Mentor + Mentee Kickoff Session
Mentors and mentees will have an opportunity meet one another one-on-one during this time. The session will end with a mentoring exercise in pairs.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Strategies for Successful Mentoring
Speaker(s): Angelica Espinosa, Vice President, General Counsel, Portland General Electric
Learn best practices for working with your mentor or mentee from an energy executive.
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
WEI Hosted Networking Reception + Dinner
Thursday, November 3, 2022
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Networking Breakfast
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Executive Panel
Panelist(s): Bob Rowe, Chief Executive Officer, NorthWestern Energy, Karen Kelley, Chief Operating Officer, Eugene Water & Electric Board, Jim Downing, Chief Information Officer, NW Natural
A panel of male and female executives will join us for a discussion on navigating the traditionally male-dominated utility industry. Hear about their journey, lessons learned, and how they leveraged mentors, coaches, and sponsors along the way. There will be an
opportunity for the panel members to respond to questions from the audience at the end of the facilitated portion.
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Networking Break
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Mentorship Expectations Breakouts
During this session mentors and mentees will participate in breakout groups and engage in roundtable conversation. Mentors will discuss best practices around providing feedback, expectations of mentees, program specific goals, and leveraging the mentoring relationship for future growth. Mentees will discuss expectations for mentors, receiving feedback, and how to leverage the mentoring relationship for development.
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Mentorship Expectations Debrief
Mentors and mentees will come back to the table and each group will share what they discussed and learned in the breakout session. We will conclude the session with a group dialogue around best practices and expectations of the mentoring relationship.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Logistics Overview + Next Steps
WEI will share logistics of the next steps for the remainder of the mentoring program, including a best practices discussion about networking.
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Working Lunch
Mentors and mentees will have a mentoring session around developing a mentoring agreement and plan for next steps over lunch. Program goals, follow up sessions, and topics for future meetings will be discussed.
Hotel + Travel
- Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront
- 1401 SW Naito Parkway
- Portland, OR 97201
- Phone: (503) 226-7600
Click here to make your reservation now.
- Reservation Instructions
Please contact the hotel directly at (503) 226-7600 to reserve your room. Identify yourself as being with Western Energy Institute (WEI) to receive a special rate of $180 USD/night. This rate is guaranteed until October 21, 2022 or until the WEI room block is full.
Onsite Safety + Health Info
Effective August 18, 2022, proof of vaccination status or results of a negative COVID-19 test will not be required for admittance into most WEI-hosted programs.
WEI continues to monitor all federal level CDC, Canadian government and public health agency recommendations, as well as local ordinances, as a policy baseline for in-person programs. We encourage all attendees to review the current guidelines related to isolation and precautions prior to traveling to a WEI event, as well as guidance for traveling to and from Canada, which may differ from guidance for traveling to or from the United States.
Some WEI-hosted programs may require proof of vaccination status, if essential for participation, in which case WEI will communicate this requirement in advance of the program start date.
Please refer to WEI’s Safety + Health Code of Conduct for other important considerations.