Women of Wind Energy (WoWE), now known as Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE), was founded in 2005. It promotes the education, professional development, and advancement of women to achieve a strong diversified workforce and support a renewable energy economy. It has local chapters in the US and Canada with national programmes that includes an annual lunch, leadership forum and webinar series. It also has a growing grassroots network of more than 4,000 women and men and is supported through hundreds of volunteer hours and the generous contributions of individuals as well as corporate partners.
The name change was announced earlier this week during a live, virtual event held before hundreds of supporters across the country. Under the new name, the organisation will continue to build on over 10 years of success working to advance women across the renewable energy spectrum.
In order to fully live the organisational mission to support a robust renewable energy economy, WRISE (pronounced rise), is opening its programmes and services to go beyond its wind energy legacy. In response to ongoing conversations with stakeholders and recent industry trends, WRISE will continue to work with the wind industry, but will 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, WRISE 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.”
Jennifer Martin, WRISE President and co-chair of the Stoel Rives LLP energy practice, added that this is a pivotal time for the energy sector and an exciting time for the organisation. Working with women and men from different technologies will allow WRISE to fully embrace its mission to achieve a strong diversified workforce and support a renewable energy economy.
WRISE is developing a website to support the expanded scope and direction, while keeping our mission the same and continuing to be a leading organisation in the confluence of technologies.
Alongside its more than 3,000 supporters, the organisation has been strongly supported by corporations that align with its mission by sponsoring a myriad of programmes, or more foundationally as an overall contributor.
For additional information:
Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE)
