WRISE Welcomes New Board Members to Support Work Towards Strong Diversified Workforce

Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) is excited to welcome three new women to their Board of Directors. These new board members represent the renewable industry at large and will support the growing programs now offered across the full spectrum of renewable energy. 

These new board members join the organization with an industry growing at an exponential rate. Recently, Bloomberg NEF released their 2019 New Energy Outlook that projects nearly 50% of the world's electricity will come from renewable sources by 2050. 

"As an industry, we're at a critical juncture," said Kristen Graf, Executive Director of WRISE. "In order for the global transition to a renewable economy to be successful, we need a wide variety of great minds, ideas, talents, and voices at the table urgently. The job growth is exciting, but we have serious work ahead to be sure we don't fall into the status quo. I am encouraged by the progress we see as companies more actively embrace diversity and inclusion initiatives and I look forward to working with our newest board members to further this important work."

Joining WRISE's Board of Directors:

• Jessica Booker, Founder & CEO, The Booker Group LLC
• Julia Bovey, Director External Affairs, Equinor Wind US
• Katy Briggs, Global Service Area Leader, Renewables Advisory Services, DNV GL

In the last two years, WRISE has seen significant growth as an organization along side an increased presence across the renewable industry. There have been successful events at AWEA's Annual WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition, Solar Power International (including a new fellowship opportunity), IntersolarNA, ESA's Annual Energy Storage Conference & Expo, and REFF Wall Street, in addition to hosting their sold out Leadership Forum in Denver this past February. Individual membership continues to grow, corporate partnerships are expanding and half a dozen new chapters have launched across the U.S. and Canada joining our robust network. 

"We are thrilled to welcome these amazing women to our board," said Jennifer Martin, WRISE Board President. "Their combined experience, expertise and leadership across the renewable sector will be invaluable to WRISE as we continue our work to promote the education, professional development, and advancement of women to achieve a strong diversified workforce and support a robust renewable energy economy."

"I am thrilled with the passion our new board members will bring WRISE. Since I joined the Board last year, I've seen firsthand the enthusiasm from across the renewable energy community for engaging with WRISE," said Ja Kao, President & CEO, Onyx Renewable Partners L.P. and WRISE Board Member. "It is exciting to be a part of the evolution of the organization and board as we work to meet the demands of growing a more diverse workforce across the sector.

Learn more about these new board members and the rest of the WRISE leadership team here. 

Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy | wrisenergy.org