On Friday, January 13, 2017, the GW Solar Institute hosted the first-ever Clean Energy Career Fair & Conference in partnership with the Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI). Nearly 200 hundred young professionals and students attended the dynamic half-day event to take advantage of the opportunity to connect with leading clean energy companies and organizations.
The concurrent clean energy workforce conference featured a number of key industry leaders and included a keynote address from the U.S. Energy Department's David Foster who announced the Administration's 2017 U.S. Energy and Employment Report at the event.
PROGRAM AGENDA
Registration [12:30 – 1:00pm]
Attendee registration and job fair preview
Clean Connect Opportunity Fair [1:00 – 4:30pm]
Sponsoring organizations meet and greet attendees at their booths; Attendees schedule 20-minute informational sessions with job fair exhibitors to discuss areas of growth and development, job opportunities, potential partnerships, and more
Participating organizations include:
- Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
- WGL Energy
- Pepco Holdings
- JDM Associates
- Nextility
- The Business Council for Sustainable Energy
- Arcadia Power
- The Smart Electric Power Alliance
- The DC Sustainable Energy Utility
- Clean Capital
- SparkFund
- Green Impact Campaign
- The Solar Foundation
Clean Energy Workforce Conference [1:00 – 5:00pm]
Building a talented workforce to think, design, and build the solutions is essential to rapidly transition to a clean energy system. Public and private leaders will engage in a series of robust moderated discussions about growth opportunities across the sector, the role of policy drivers, how to foster diversity and entrepreneurship, and provide insights for young professionals about how to succeed.
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Welcome 1:00pm
- Jackie Weidman, Executive Director, Clean Energy Leadership Institute
- Kathleen Merrigan, Executive Director of Sustainability, Professor of Public Poliyc, The George Washington University
Opening Spotlight – Overview of the 2017 U.S. Energy and Employment Report 1:05pm
- David Foster, Senior Advisor on Industrial and Economic Policy, U.S. Department of Energy
Clean Energy During a Trump Presidency 1:15 – 2:00pm
One week before inauguration of America’s 45th President, questions abound about how a Republican-controlled government could impact clean energy growth. Hear from key government and industry leaders about what possible federal and state policy shifts could mean for financing renewables, market competition, and sector job growth.
- Amit Ronen, Director, The GW Solar Institute
- Christopher Mansour, VP Federal Affairs, SEIA
- Greg Wetstone, President & CEO, ACORE
Fostering Entrepreneurship and Community 2:00 – 2:45pm
Ever thought about starting a company? Hear what it takes from founders and CEOs who have launched successful organizations, as well as the investors who have supported them.
- Alla Jezmir, Director, CCM Energy
- Daniel Hill, Founder, Green Impact Campaign/CELI Fellow
- Dave McCarthy, Executive Director, Potential Energy DC
- Joe Indvik, Founder, Rock Creek Consulting and SparkFund/CELI Fellow
- Jon Powers, Founder & Chairman, Clean Capital
- Ryan Nesbitt, Co-Founder & President, Arcadia Power
Refreshment Networking Break, Sponsored by WGL Energy 2:45 – 3:30pm
Art Gallery Atrium
Supporting the Advancement of Emerging Leaders & Increasing Diversity Across Clean Energy 3:30 – 4:30pm
Nurturing young talent and building capacity today is essential for the future of the clean energy industry. Additionally, Inclusiveness is an essential part of the clean energy industry’s productivity, creativity, innovation, and competitive advantage. Learn what it takes from clean energy leaders with decades of experience pushing for renewables. Attendees can learn practical strategies, insights and guidance on how to propel their clean energy careers forward. In addition, panelists will discuss their thoughts on how to attract and retain female and minority talent and strategies to promote an open and inclusive workplace.
- Alexis Goggans, Green Building & Climate Program Analyst, District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)
- Anmol Vanamali, Financing Strategies Director, The DC Sustainable Energy Utility (The DCSEU)
- Beth Eagle, Director of Operations & HR, Smart Electric Power Alliance
- Craig Connelly, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation
- Erin Richmond, Director of Operations, JDM Associates
- Karen Stanford, Manager, Talent Acquisition, Pepco Holdings
- Robin Cunningham, Green Products Specialist, WGL Energy
Afternoon Keynote and Conference Wrap-Up 4:30 – 5:00pm
- Malcolm Woolf, Senior Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE)
Connections Happy Hour at Tonic Restaurant 5:00 – 7:00pm
