Check out the PowHERful Women Mentorship Program and find a mentor in the trades: https://cewd.mentorcollective.org/register/cewd-corporate/mentee

Want to be a mentor for someone entering the trades? Sign up here: https://cewd.mentorcollective.org/register/cewd-corporate/mentor

Curious about what it's really like to operate heavy equipment in the energy industry? In this episode of PowHER Hour, host Concetta Defa interviews Amber Peterson, Business Agent - District 12 & Heavy Equipment Operator, and Lena Turek, Heavy Equipment Operator, about their experiences, careers, and common misconceptions as women in the field.

Find out how these women found their way into heavy equipment, what the apprenticeship process involves, and what their day-to-day work looks like.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NB6qYF4zFTk

Watch Part 2 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/acdFH_prcQw

👉Are you interested in energy industry careers or want insight into the real experiences of women building the future? Visit https://www.hirepowher.org/

Hire PowHER! introduces women to the skilled trades of the energy industry by offering a career roadmap and diving into the opportunities for fulfilling, well-paying careers with purpose. Concetta Defa, experienced IBEW journey worker and proud supporter of women in the trades, brings real role models from women in the trades for real talk and real guidance. A new initiative by the Center for Energy Workforce Development, Hire PowHER! is for anyone with passion or curiosity about the energy sector. There's a place and need for you in energy, whether you're hands-on, strategic, creative, or community-driven. Join our next webinar here and step into a career where your PowHER truly matters: https://getintoenergy.org/hire-powher/powher-hours/

This episode features the webinar "PowHERful Women: Operating Engineers – Earth-Shakers and Path-Makers" from February 17th, 2026.

Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/