By Katerina Selezen
As Canada navigates the profound shift in its energy landscape, innovation, unique perspectives and a cohesive vision are fundamental to an efficient transition. Organizational diversity plays a colossal role during this time, fostering creativity and unifying different skills and experiences. It enables a more varied and balanced approach to decision-making as well as problem-solving, facilitates adoption of new technologies and inspires progressive ideas. Who better to spearhead the environmental crusade than the forward-thinking business women of the renewable energy sector?
Rebecca Black
In the vanguard of the fight against climate change are the Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE) – a group of devoted and passionate volunteers, proudly headed by co-founders Rebecca Black and Joanna Osawe.
Joanna Osawe
With an interest in climate change and a Master’s degree in business and the environment from the Schulich School of Business at York University, Black landed a job in the solar energy sector at SkyPower. Her keen ability to identify a need in renewable energy and recognize the benefits of the sustainable business piece soon fuelled Rebecca to start her own company. She founded Black Current Marketing in 2006, providing marketing and communication support to companies and organizations that build and invest in a sustainable and equitable future.
In 2008, Rebecca helped organize the World Wind Energy Conference in Kingston, Ontario, bringing together key green leaders and focusing on community power via development and ownership of renewable energy projects by local farmers, landowners, Indigenous groups, municipalities and others.
From building wind farms to electrifying North America through high-voltage interconnecting of transmission lines, Joanna Osawe has played an instrumental role in the energy industry for over 15 years. As the Business Development Manager – Major Projects at DMC Power Inc., Osawe works with major utilities and developers on the station and transmission projects in North America and globally.
Deeming her diverse career an “educational growth journey and an eye opener,” Osawe has carried complex projects through various stages, experiencing firsthand the vital role renewable energy and emerging technologies play in driving the Canadian, American and global energy mix forward.
Launched in Toronto in 2013, WiRE has been steadfast in carrying out its mission of recognizing and advancing women in energy. With the continued support of its longest standing partners – the Canadian Wind Energy Association, Canadian Solar Industries Association, Ontario Waterpower Association and APPrO – WiRE leads the conversation around diversity and the business benefits of diversifying management and boards.
Currently, WiRE engages over 3,000 people monthly through outreach efforts and programming, with the help of its outstanding Advisory Committee and several other volunteers.
“It’s been a win-win for everyone, especially in an industry under transition,” Black says, explaining the value of the new voice women add to the conversation. “There is an emerging clean tech distributed generation scene led by entrepreneurial people that’s booming. That’s where we will see the most opportunities for women in this sector because they’re a new generation of thinkers and doers offering fresh perspectives. They are coming in and building upon the strides already taken.”
WiRE’s footprint on the industry has facilitated both sociological and environmental development. Its contributions have permeated all levels of the sector, from education to protocol. Through bursaries, speed mentoring and opportunities to attend conferences, WiRE is cultivating the next generation of game-changers and forward-thinkers and advancing the STEM sector. On the networking front, WiRE plays a vital role in connecting industry professionals, decision-makers and influencers at meet-ups, capacity building field trips and various events.
One of WiRE’s most notable strides towards greener pastures has been the recognition of women who are leaders in the industry. With its three annual Women of Distinction Awards – Wind Power, Solar Power and Woman of the Year – WiRE celebrates and rewards women in energy for their remarkable leadership and significant contributions to the advancement of the power sector. This year’s WiRE Award will be presented on November 20, 2017 at the Canadian Power Banquet, during the APPrO’s 29th Annual Canadian Power Conference and Networking Centre.
WiRE’s biggest leap, however, has been supporting and advocating for Electricity Human Resources Canada’s Leadership Accord on Gender Diversity in the Canadian Electricity Industry (the Accord). Announced on International Women’s Day this year, by the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, the Accord is a public commitment to promoting equality, inclusion and diversity in the electricity and renewable energy sector.
“Knowing that there is a positive impact on a national and global level, I’m very excited for the future because we’re building a legacy,” says Osawe. “The way WiRE has grown really speaks to the need out there for this and so we will continue growing WiRE and making a difference by supporting STEM and really promoting women in this sector.”
Next on WiRE’s horizon is expanding its programming, penetrating new markets and bringing a full-time executive director on board by next year. With chapters currently operating in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Kamloops and Vancouver, WiRE has put a plan in motion to enter into Hamilton, Winnipeg and Saskatchewan in the near future. Paving the way for a smooth transition in terms of reliability and stability, WiRE is focusing on building community and stakeholder engagement and employing all available technologies.
“This is such an exciting time, but there really needs to be a sophisticated approach to the change management, and having different ways of thinking is going to maximize opportunities,” says Black.
To learn more about WiRE, join the conversation, or embark on the mission to promote sustainability and organizational diversity, visit www.womeninrenewableenergy.ca.