A Personal Recap of the Women in Energy Conference

by Liz Hill, Women in Energy Senior Vice President

September is often seen as a time for new beginnings. In the industry, September marks the ramp up to heating season. One of the best ways to get ready this year was at the Women in Energy Annual Conference in Mystic, Connecticut, where the organization announced some changes of its own.

As with most trade events, the three days in Connecticut were filled with educational sessions, inspirational speakers, networking events, sponsorships, and awards. But as Women in Energy’s mission is to empower women working in a male dominated field, the Conference sessions ranged from Evaluating Net Zero Carbon Solutions to The Everchanging Liquid Fuels Business to The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback, to an early morning yoga class. Each program was led by a woman or panel of women.

The stunning networking reception at the Mystic Aquarium will be a fond memory for everyone who attended. Programs like the Keynote, “The Power of Personal Branding,” by Alyssa Pannozzi was exhilarating. We learned how to build a brand and how important it is to do what you love.

Another highlight was “Supporting Women Considering a Career in the Energy Industry.” The speakers were all owners or executives of energy companies, and they discussed their personal journeys, the people who supported them and the people who tried to stop them, and their thoughts on how we can encourage more women to find their place in the industry. The panel discussion quickly turned to a conversation between the panelists and the audience as everyone shared challenges, solutions, and ideas.

That was one of the biggest differences between the Women in Energy Conference and many others I’ve attended. Every session became an open exchange between speaker and audience and the energy was exhilarating from start to finish.

The final event of the Conference was our Awards Brunch featuring Kate McDonald, Executive Director of Girls on the Run of Southeastern Connecticut. Girls on the Run has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire participants to recognize their inner strength, increase their level of physical activity, imagine their possibilities, and confidently stand up for themselves and others. The local chapter served more than 300 girls during the last school year, nationally the organization has empowered more than 2 million girls across North America since its founding in 1996. Their programs help girls recognize their potential and rise above limiting gender expectations – much like Women in Energy strives to do for these same girls and others as they reach adulthood.

Each year, Women in Energy presents the Judy Garber Rising Star Award to two up-and-coming professional women with less than eight years in the industry. This year, we recognized Nicole Glase, Director of Sales and Marketing at Clyde S. Walton, Inc., Lansdale, PA, and Hailie Newman, Account Executive for EV Charging Solutions. Nicole serves as our Association Secretary, on the membership committee, and as a mentor for the Mentorship Program. At her company, Nicole established an Activity and Service Committee to improve relationships between office and field employees, boost morale and drive company culture. Hailie recently moved from Kentucky to Texas. In Kentucky she formed a support group for moms with children with autism. Hailie is looking forward to a future for the energy industry that will include major updates, identification of key manufacturers and software providers, and support will be easily accessible.

The Woman of the Year Award recognizes one woman who is active in the energy industry and local community. This year’s Woman of the Year is Jacqueline (Jackie) Hart, V.P., Hart Home Comfort, Oakdale, NY. Jackie has been a leader in the Energy Industry for many years – leading the charge for the younger generation of women. She serves on the Women in Energy Industry Outreach Committee, has served as president of the Oil Heat Institute of Long Island and on the Executive Boards of the New York State Energy Coalition and NORA. Jackie was unable to be at the Conference, but we will present her award formally in October.

The brunch concluded with a special thank you to our founder and Executive Director Judy Garber, who has announced her retirement. Judy has truly been a mentor to everyone in the association. In 2017, Judy was stepping down from her post as director of Oil and Energy Service Professionals and rather than retire quietly in the background (as if she ever could!), she joined with Roberta Fagan, Erin Holohan Haskell, Marjorie Feinman, Lisa Scuderi, Sue Hammond, and Beth Tocco to create Women in Energy. By the time the reminiscences and accolades for Judy had ended, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Lastly, I want to commend the Conference Committee for putting together an event that ran as smoothly as possible and will be held as a standard against which all future Women in Energy events will be measured. I am so happy to be part of this welcoming and supportive organization, and excited to see what we accomplish before the next Conference!

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