Kristen Graf

Women of Wind Energy, or WoWE, was founded in 2005 to ensure that women can partake in a full and productive role in the development of wind power.

In this WindTalk podcast, WoWE’s Executive Director Kristen Graf speaks to us about the importance of women in the wind industry, including some of the successes and challenges they face.

To learn more about the WoWE organization, click here.

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WoWE will develop a new name and logo as the organization opens its programs beyond its wind energy legacy.

Building on 10 years of implementing Women of Wind Energy’s (WoWE) mission through proven infrastructure and progressive programming, WoWE is excited to take the next step in advancing women across the renewable energy spectrum. The group is opening its programs and services beyond its wind energy legacy.

WoWE will continue to work with the wind industry, but will also 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, WoWE 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.”

WoWE was founded in 2005 and works to promote the education, professional development, and advancement of women to achieve a strong diversified workforce and support a robust renewable energy economy. Since that time, WoWE has grown to an organization with local chapters in the U.S. and Canada.

Past successes include:

• 3000+ Network participants
• 480+ One-on-one and Peer Group Mentoring participants
• 80+ Rudd Mayer Fellows and Wind at Our Backs Scholars
• 35 Chapters across the US and Canada
• 25 Awards given for Woman of the Year, Rising Star, and WoWE Champion
• 21 Webinars covering renewable energy and energy storage topics
• 7 Annual Leadership Forum events

“As the advanced energy industry continues to accelerate we appreciate that WoWE is expanding its successful programs and opportunities for advancing women in energy,” said Matt Roberts, Executive Director of the Energy Storage Association. “We greatly look forward to joining forces with WoWE to ensure our continued commitment to diversity in the energy storage industry produces demonstrable results for our community.”

WoWE will develop a new name and logo to support the expanded scope and direction, while keeping their mission the same.

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“The women receiving this year’s awards are already making a positive impact in the renewable energy field,” said WoWE Executive Director, Kristen Graf.  “The new Wind at Our Backs Scholarship is allowing us to bring more women to this important annual event and help jumpstart their careers in the field. Both the Fellows and the Scholars continue to build on the legacy of Rudd Mayer with their passion, desire to pursue an education, and potential to make important contributions in the future.”

She added: “I look forward to seeing their careers grow in the years to come.”

Meet the 2016 Rudd Mayer Fellows:

• Amanda Bradshaw, Columbia University
• April Christensen, Duke University
• Mercedes Gomez Jacobo, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
• Cecilia Lee, University of Michigan
• Rachel Mead, Western Illinois University
• Pauline Searles, Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College

2016 Wind at Our Backs Scholars:

• Rachel Bedenbaugh, Colorado State University
• Jordan Blackwood, Cloud County Community College
• Jessica DeWaters, Kalamazoo Valley Community College
• Stacie Thompson, Clinton Community College
• Casey West, Mesalands Community College

“Women are helping to write the next chapter of American wind power,” said Tom Kiernan, CEO of AWEA. “These fellows and scholars directly help fulfill on this year’s WINDPOWER theme of ‘Generation Wind’. As wind energy scales up to supply 20 percent of U.S. electricity by 2030, a strong, diverse industry is needed to help us get there. These programs and scholarship opportunities are going to help make sure that happens.”

“The wind industry expects to see tremendous growth and job creation over the next few years,” said John Kostyack, Executive Director of the Wind Energy Foundation. “The fellowship and scholarship help ensure that bright young women, like those in our current class, will be well positioned to make major contributions to our industry in the near future.”

The Rudd Mayer Fellowship
The Rudd Mayer Fellowship is WoWE’s way of supporting women in the academic community, college students and recent graduates, who are interested in expanding their knowledge and engaging in the renewable energy field by attending the WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition.  This annual fellowship is awarded on a competitive basis and selection is based on commitment to renewable energy development, academic achievement, potential for future contributions to the U.S. renewable energy community, and financial need.

The fellowship honors wind industry pioneer Rudd Mayer of Boulder, Colorado, who passed away in 2002, and supports women to participate in WINDPOWER by allowing the fellows to attend seminars on current wind energy issues, view state-of-the-art technology, meet women and men in the renewable energy field, and connect with employers about potential internships or permanent positions.

The Wind at Our Backs Scholarship
The Wind Energy Foundation, in concert with the American Wind Energy Association and Women of Wind Energy, is pleased to announce a new scholarship to empower women working toward degrees or certifications in the wind industry.

The scholarship — conceived by NextEra Energy, and sponsored by Blattner Energy, GE Renewable Energy, the NextEra Energy Foundation, and Suzlon — will allow the Wind Energy Foundation to offer $2,500 scholarships to as many as fifteen individuals over the next three years! Scholarship recipients will also receive a trip to WINDPOWER, the industry’s premier trade show and educational event, where they can attend seminars on current wind energy issues, view state-of-the-art technology, meet others in the renewable energy field, and connect with potential employers.

Women of Wind Energy
www.womenofwindenergy.org

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