If you’re a woman working in utilities, you already know you’re in the minority. While the number of women in the industry has slowly grown over the years, women still face barriers to leadership advancement. Not only are women not reaching their full career potential, but businesses are also not reaching their full potential as research shows that women in leadership contribute positively to financial performance.
“Research consistently shows that diversity of thought on leadership teams leads to better decisions, stronger financial performance, and more innovative solutions,” says Vanessa Edmonds, Founder of the Utility 2030 Leadership Collaborative (U2030). “Yet, women remain underrepresented in executive roles across the utility industry.”
Several organizations and programs are working to empower women by providing professional growth opportunities, which can ultimately improve outcomes for utilities.
U2030’s RADIATE Women’s Leadership Program
The Utility 2030 Leadership Collaborative (U2030) offers the RADIATE Women’s Leadership Program, a 12-month leadership development program that includes monthly virtual sessions, two in-person events, a utility site visit, mentoring and reverse mentoring, as well as a Capstone Project to apply leadership learnings in real-world scenarios.
According to Edmonds, the program helps women face challenges with confidence, such as outage communications and limited access to sponsorship and high-profile opportunities, as well as internal challenges like self-doubt and hesitancy to self-advocate.
“RADIATE isn’t just about skill-building,” she adds. “It’s about building a leadership pipeline. We’re ensuring women have the tools, support, and advocacy they need to thrive at the highest levels of leadership, backed by a collaborative network of women and men who are invested in their success.”
U2030 is a membership-driven leadership development collaborative that equips utility professionals with the skills, insights, and connections they need to navigate industry transformation with confidence. “Unlike traditional industry organizations that focus on information sharing, we’re all about action and leadership impact,” says Edmonds. “We help members grow their influence, sharpen their leadership skills, and stay ahead in an evolving landscape.” Members are employed in energy and water utilities, including IOUs, municipalities, and cooperatives.
U2030 programs are designed to be interactive and engaging. For example, at an upcoming ENERGIZE Retreat in Scottsdale, communications expert Bill G. Williams will lead a session on "Mastering Critical Conversations," using role-playing to help participants gain confidence in delivering feedback, navigating tough discussions, and applying “radical candor” in their leadership approach.
The Women’s International Network of Utility Professionals
Trishia Swayne, President of the Women's International Network of Utility Professionals (WiNUP), believes that times are changing in a positive way for women in utilities. As a professional engineer and client services manager for Power Centric Solutions, an Enercon Services Company, and a 20+-year utility industry veteran, she’s encouraged to see an increasing number of women enter the field.
“I’m seeing more and more women in a variety of roles, both technical and non-technical, enter this industry and more in leadership roles as well over the last couple of decades of my career,” says Swayne. “I think today, our challenge includes overcoming our own insecurities while working and leading in a long-standing male-dominated industry.”
She first became involved in WiNUP when she was invited to speak at their Annual Conference in Nashville in 2016. “The women welcomed me, befriended me, gave me an opportunity to learn more about the industry through professional development, and the variety of roles and companies within the organization,” says Swayne. “It also offered personal and leadership growth by allowing me to serve in meaningful roles, and I can’t forget the fun!”
WiNUP has been serving women in the industry for 102 years. “With 19 chapters, each with its own leadership and committees, WiNUP provides opportunities for women who might not be in leadership roles within their organization,” says Executive Director Lisa Morinini.
According to Morinini, a more formal annual mentorship program, which began in 2020, serves about 20 mentees each year. Participation includes scheduled meetings between mentors and mentees, as well as various workshops. “Even the mentors have stated how much the program has helped them grow in their roles at their companies and as individuals,” says Morinini.
WiNUP’s chapters also support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) projects tailored to the needs of their local communities. For example, the Nashville chapter supports a local STEM initiative called TWISTER (Tennessee Women in Science, Technology, Engineering & Research), a one-day professional conference for high school girls that allows them to explore STEM careers, including those in utilities. Several chapters offer scholarships to high school and college-aged young ladies for STEM-related degrees.
On the national level, WiNUP also offers multiple scholarships to students pursuing careers in the utility industry and related fields. WiNUP will also be exhibiting at The Utility Expo 2025 as a Supporting Organization.
Women in Energy
Women in Energy’s membership consists of leading U.S. energy industry professionals and companies to empower, educate, and mentor women in the field.
“The energy that comes from people who want each other to succeed is so powerful,” says Deena Doyle, Executive Director. Women in Energy keeps members engaged through annual meetings, education, and workshops.
The organization has embraced online learning, conducting free webinars for members each Wednesday on a variety of topics. “There is a need for women to connect in the energy space, where it is still very male-dominated,” says Doyle.
A mentorship program was launched in 2023, which strategically pairs mentors and mentees for one year based on factors such as relationships, leadership, or experience. Doyle’s experience as a mentor has been positive. “Just watching my mentee blossom into her career and who she is as a person has been very rewarding,” she says.
Another focus of the organization is recruiting women to the energy industry and increasing exposure to young women. “One of our goals this year is to have representation from vocational schools at industry trade shows, to give them a mini-experience of working in energy,” says Doyle.
Doyle finds that the people in energy are at work for more than a paycheck. “There’s an intrinsic need and want to show up for other people.”
UGI’s Support for STEM and Women Employees
Energy companies themselves also recognize the need to support both their future and current female workforce. UGI, a natural gas and electric utility serving more than 760,000 customers in Pennsylvania and Maryland, is committed to inspiring future STEM professionals by supporting programs that teach students the necessary skills to enter the workforce.
“With a focus on sustainability, it is important for UGI to continue to pursue innovation and ensure there are talented people to drive that innovation,” says John Mason, Principal Communications Leader.
UGI Utilities supports the Da Vinci Science Center’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) initiative, which aims to create a supportive community of women employed in STEM fields and encourage girls who aspire to follow a STEM career path. It also supports Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s Women in Sciences & Engineering (WISE) Institute through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. “The camp aims to encourage the entry and success of women in the STEM fields by creating opportunities for women of diverse backgrounds to thrive, providing mentorship, and promoting institutional and cultural change,” says Mason. The camp allows these students to strengthen their STEM-related studies, including coding, digital design, 3D printing, biology, sustainability, and engineering.
In addition, UGI Utilities hosts students and STEM leaders at its Learning Center for daylong events that feature STEM career panel discussions, tours of the Learning Center, and the opportunity to speak with both a female engineer and a female leader in information technology.
To support its workforce, a Women’s Impact Network employee resource group offers exposure to various professional development opportunities, as well as professional and personal development resources. For example, a recent coffee chat with the women of the UGI Board of Directors provided advice on career advancement, mentorship opportunities, self-advocacy, networking, and other topics.
The Role of Men in Driving Positive Change for Women
There’s no doubt that men play a critical role in supporting women in utilities. “I am blessed to have encountered men who have championed my development since the beginning of my career, and I believe others have that as well,” says Swayne.
Organizations such as WiNUP and U2030 welcome men to participate in their organizations and women’s programming.
“Male supervisors and all supervisors should be encouraging women to participate in professional organizations not only for industry knowledge but also for both personal and professional development growth,” says Morinini.
“At U2030, we believe in the power of "AND"—bringing women and men together to create a more inclusive and effective leadership culture,” says Edmonds. “The question isn’t whether men have a role in advancing women’s leadership—it’s how they can actively support and drive change.”
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