The SOapbox Series

With double the amount of guests, comes double the amount of DEI knowledge. Both passionate experts on the subject, Melissa Morgante, Head of People and Development at Orsted, and Felisa Nobles, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at Orsted, join Mindy to chat about how to actively diversify the renewable energy industry. 

As a subject close to their hearts, focusing their efforts on DE&I at Orsted has further highlighted the need for change within other STEM organizations, which they bring to light today. Melissa and Felisa go on to discuss the benefits of a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce and how companies who embrace diversity can propel miles ahead of their competitors.

This SOapbox Series instalment is a perfect synopsis of the value of DE&I in the workplace - don’t miss it. 

You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector. 

Has diversity come far enough in renewables? In this episode Emilie Wangerman, Head of Business Development and M&A at Lightsource bp, discusses her view on the state of D&I in the industry.

Sitting down with our host Mindy Prefling, Emilie walks us through her colorful career - explaining that she has lived and worked abroad for a large chunk of her professional life. After specializing in technology following her undergraduate degree, Emilie found herself the world of renewables - and hasn’t looked back since.

Striving to improve D&I within the renewable energy sector, Emilie is passionate about teaching organizations how to do so effectively.

Join in on the conversation to learn more about diversity in the renewables sector, the importance of utilizing your network and connections when looking for your next career move, and Emilie’s top tips on employee retention. Don’t miss it - listen now!

You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector. 

What does meaningful transformation in the workplace look like? 

In honor of International Women’s Day on the 8th of March, SOapbox Series host Mindy Prefling sat down with Lars Gloessner, Associate Director, Energy & Infrastructure Recruitment at Spencer Ogden, to answer exactly this question. 

It’s a short yet impactful episode, with Mindy and Lars discussing what it means to be an ally, how this manifests itself in the workplace, and how men can be better supporters of women both within and outside of the professional space. 

This timely discussion highlights the importance of prioritizing women’s rights throughout the year and inspires listeners to put talk into action. 

You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector. 

Our guest speaker on the SOapbox Series today is Jade Scheele, Head of Development at Steelhead Americas. Operating as a “quiet participant” in the renewable energy space since 2015, Steelhead Americas is the development arm for well-known global partner Vestas. However, in the last few years, Jade tells us that Steelhead has started to take a much more active role in making its mark on the sector. 

Throughout Jade and Mindy’s conversation, insightful nuggets of information are shared with our listeners. They range from Jade’s best advice for developers with no idea where to start, the importance of welcoming feedback, and how the key to overcoming the pandemic struggles is to embrace the virtual environment. Jade and Mindy also touch on the topic of diversity and inclusion and Steelhead’s approach to encouraging inclusion in its organization. 

Trust us, you won’t want to miss this one.

You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector. 

What needs to be done to make a meaningful change in the US Energy industry?

That’s one of the core issues tackled in episode 4 of the SOapbox Series.

Your host, Mindy Prefling, is joined by Tanya Martinez, Director of Development at AES Clean Energy, to discuss the importance of taking actionable steps towards sustainable energy use in the US and beyond.

Hear more about Tanya’s career history, her experience as a woman in engineering, the importance of respectful representation, and the current state of DE&I in renewables as a whole.

It’s a jam-packed episode with insightful snippets that are sure to inspire.

Connect with Mindy Prefling here and Tanya Martinez here 

You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector. 

Welcome to episode 3 of SOapbox with your host Mindy Prefling and guest Taylor Dodson, Manager of Utility Scale Interconnection at SOLV Energy. In this podcast, you can expect to hear all about Taylor’s long-standing career, the challenges he sees facing the renewable energy sector, and more. 

Taylor offers insightful statistics on how the renewable sector is growing by around 30 to 50% each year. He also talks about the labor shortage and how SOLV Energy is using D&I, word of mouth, and Spencer Ogden to grow their labor pool 

Connect with Mindy or contact Taylor on LinkedIn.

You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector. 

In episode 2 of the SOapbox, your host Mindy Prefling, Senior Manager of Client Services at Spencer Ogden, speaks to Kristen Graf, Executive Director at Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE). 

Kristen shares her insights on the state of diversity in the renewables space, drawing on more than 15 years of experience in various roles in the sector. We hear more about her career growth, her experience with policy and implementation, and what made her realize that change needs to happen in the industry. 

Ultimately, the need for diversity and inclusion is more than a checklist exercise. In this episode, Kristen offers actionable advice for industry leaders to consider and provides a realistic outlook for the future of a more diversified renewables industry. 

Connect with Kristen on LinkedIn here and Mindy here 

You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector. 

The first episode of SOapbox is here! Our first guest is Aron Branam, VP of Development and Construction at Arevon. It’s a fascinating discussion not to be missed.

In the space of 18 months, Aron went from an Associate Director to a VP position. In this episode, he talks about the challenges he faced, how he grew his team with diversity in mind, and how he approaches leadership.

Our host is Mindy Prefling, Senior Manager of Client Services at Spencer Ogden. If you’d like to contact her, connect with her on LinkedIn here.

If you want to find out more about Aron’s journey, connect with him on LinkedIn here.

You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector.