Women's Energy Network (WEN), an international organization of professional women who work across the energy industry, was established in 1994 with six women. At the close of 2009, the organization had grown to over 900 members throughout Texas and Louisiana. Member benefits and the impact of the organization on the industry are undeniable.
WEN's mission is to develop programs to provide networking opportunities and foster career and leadership development of women who work in the energy industries.
From its inception, WEN has provided women a place to network and learn. Initially, the network was fostered by monthly luncheons at which senior leaders discussed their careers, current trends and relevant topics in the energy industry.
"As our base of membership has grown, we realized that we could offer a variety of programs to our members and help them increase their influence," explained Jeannie Gardner, 2010 WEN vice-president and 2011 president-elect.
The WEN Mentoring Program is a membership benefit specifically designed to ensure WEN members meet their full professional potential. Each year the 8-month program is offered in the form of small mentoring circles. The program provides career guidance and skills development; coaching on expanding professional influence through networking; and a safe place to share ideas outside the workplace. This year, over 120 mentees and 12 mentors are participating in the program.
Outside the current workforce, WEN recognizes the continual need to attract new talent into the energy industry. The orgainization is taking steps to introduce high school students to energy careers through two key programs, annual scholarships and Young Women Energized (YWE).
Photo courtesy of WEN
Each year WEN sponsors five $1,000 one-time scholarships to exemplary high school senior girls from the Greater Houston area. The scholarships are presented at YWE.
YWE affords high school girls the unique opportunity to meet professional women working in energy. The event in 2009 hosted over 300 Houston area high school girls. The one-night program brings women in engineering, environmental regulations, legal, accounting, marketing, business development, and other professions who meet one-on-one with students.
"According to the National Science Foundation only 11% of today's engineers are women," stated Lori McDowell, 2010 WEN special events chairperson. "This event inspires girls to challenge themselves and try something that they might not have considered before. In fact, many of them don't even realize that you don't have to be an engineer to be in energy."
Beyond the energy industry, WEN hosts a biennial charity luncheon to benefit a local charity. The 2010 event benefited Gracewood, a women's program that supports single-parent mothers and their children through residential group care, mentoring, financial planning, teaching, education, counseling and referral to community resources.
The Charity Luncheon alone raised over $85,000 for Gracewood.
Significant growth over the years has spurred additional career development offerings for middle and senior level management. Career webinars, day-long workshops and the formation of an Advisory Council made up of women in senior leadership positions are all part of WEN's growth. With all of the growth and change, the mission of the organization remains the same.
"Our goal is to provide role models for women and the tools to grow their career in the energy industry, independent of what stage they are at professionally," said Joan Eischen, program director for WEN and the advisory council.
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