2024 WISE Awards

Smart Energy Decisions (SED) is proud to announce the winners of its third-annual WISE (Women in Smart Energy) Awards.

“We’ve seen a notable rise in the number of women attending Smart Energy Decisions events, which reflects the growing number of women in the clean energy industry,” said Debra Chanil, Director of Editorial and Research, Smart Energy Decisions. “We’re thrilled to celebrate their achievements at Net Zero Forum Spring on February 28, and look forward to seeing how they continue to have a positive impact on both our community and the larger energy transition.”

Open to women in commercial, industrial, institutional (higher-ed and healthcare), and government organizations, the 2024 WISE Awards will recognize the following leaders across these categories: Innovation, Project/Initiative, Leadership, Mentorship, Rising Star, and Industry Veteran.

1. Innovation – Recognizing a woman who has developed a new or substantially improved a product, service, or strategy for her organization or the wider smart energy industry:
   • Renee Yarmy, Program Director, Maritime Sustainable Development (Port of San Diego)
2. Project/Initiative – Recognizing a woman who has led or significantly contributed to a project for her organization or the wider smart energy industry:
   • Emily Freeman, Policy Advisor, Circular Economy for City of Boulder (City of Boulder)
   • Patricia Laskowsky, Global Technical Specialist – Vehicle Energy Transfer/Charging Controls (General Motors)
3. Leadership – Recognizing a woman who has demonstrated excellence in leadership either within her own organization or the wider smart energy industry:
   • Gautami Palanki, Senior Vice President, ESG Strategy (Howard Hughes)
   • Susan Uthayakumar, Chief Energy and Sustainability Officer (Prologis)
4. Mentorship – Recognizing a woman who demonstrates a commitment to the mentorship of rising professionals (women and/or men) in the smart energy industry:
   • Liz Lucente, Senior Sustainability Manager – Strategic Partnership, Corporate Responsibility (Target Corporation)
   • Karen McGrath, Assistant Professor of Finance (Bucknell University)
   • Kristin Cox, Senior Manager, Gas Engineering & Asset Performance (Baltimore Gas and Electric)
5. Rising Star – Recognizing a woman with less than 10 years of experience in the smart energy industry who is already making a positive impact:
   • Kaylann Loraine, Sustainability Reporting Specialist (Medxcel)
   • Eryn Beddoes, Project Manager, Facility Infrastructure and Engineering (Red Deer Polytechnic)
6. Industry Veteran – Recognizing a woman with more than 10 years of experience who has made—and continues to make—a positive impact on the smart energy industry:
   • Leigh Pearson, Senior Director Facilities, Sustainability, Sourcing & Procurement (Staples Canada)
   • Susanna Chiu, Senior Director of Operational Services (PSE&G)

Smart Energy Decisions will celebrate the award winners at an awards presentation at Net Zero Forum Spring on February 28 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott in The Woodlands, Texas. Winners are also invited to participate in the event to make new connections, gain critical industry insights—and spark further accomplishments.

Nominations are no longer being accepted. Winners will be announced in January 2024.

Women are doing important work in energy and sustainability, yet they remain underrecognized and underrepresented. We want to bring to the fore their significant, influential achievements as a way to recognize their role in the energy transition and to inspire others with their accomplishments.

Awards will be presented to women in six categories: Innovation, Product/Initiative, Leadership, Mentorship, Rising Star, and Industry Veteran. 

Women who work at energy customer organizations, including commercial, industrial, institutional (higher education, healthcare), and government are eligible to win WISE Awards. Nominations may be submitted by colleagues, peers from other organizations, and supplier partners. Women may also nominate themselves.

Here are details on each award category:

Innovation
The Innovation Award recognizes a woman who has developed a new or substantially improved an energy or sustainability product, service, or strategy for her organization or the wider smart energy industry. 
 
Project/Initiative
The Project Award recognizes a woman who has led or significantly contributed to an energy or sustainability project for her organization or the wider smart energy industry. 
 
Leadership
The Leadership Award recognizes a woman who has demonstrated excellence in leadership in the areas of energy or sustainability within her own organization or the wider smart energy industry. 

Mentorship                                    
The Mentorship Award recognizes a woman who demonstrates a commitment to the mentorship of rising professionals (women and/or men) in the smart energy industry. 
 
Rising Star 
The Rising Star Award recognizes a woman with less than 10 years of experience in the smart energy industry who is already making a positive impact. 
 
Industry Veteran 
The Industry Veteran Award recognizes a woman with more than 10 years of experience who has made — and continues to make — a positive impact on the smart energy industry. 

PLEASE NOTE:

• There is no fee for participation. 
• Previous WISE Award winners are eligible to be nominated again for a new project or initiative.
• Suppliers/solution providers are not eligible to win a WISE award. However, we encourage them to nominate their partners and customers from eligible organizations.
• You may submit nominations in multiple categories, but each must be submitted in a separate form and recipients will only be granted an award in a single category.
• Smart Energy Decisions and Diversified Communications encourage inclusivity. WISE Awards are open to all who identify as women and meet the award qualifications.

Winners will be notified in early January 2024. Awards will be presented at the Smart Energy Decisions Net Zero Forum Spring on February 28 at The Woodlands, Houston, Texas.