emPOWERing Young Professionals

emPOWERing and celebrating under-40 leaders in the electric power industry who drive market success and innovation. Nominations for 2026 will open in June!

emPOWERing Leadership Conference

A conference focused on community, leadership and career advancement for young professionals in the electric power industry! The 2026 Conference will be November 12-13, 2026 and registration will open in Summer 2026.

emPOWERing Young Professionals Award

Recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who actively participate in the electric power industry and contribute to the success of their employer, the success of the electric power market, the development of other industry professionals and provide leadership for projects or activities within the electric power profession.

Nominations CLOSED
- We will announce the winner in late August/early September and present it at the 41st Annual Fall Conference.

Meet Jessie Horn, our 2026 emPOWERing Young Professionals Award Recipient

Jessie Horn - 2026 emPOWERing Young Professionals Award Winner
Jessie Horn serves as Senior Counsel in the Rules and Projects Division at the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), where she leads the agency's implementation of legislation impacting the ERCOT power region, including data center interconnections and transmission cost recovery.

With a career spanning administrative law, consumer advocacy, and utility regulation, Jessie began practicing law in 2015 and joined the Office of Public Utility Counsel in 2019, representing the interests of residential and small commercial consumers. Shortly after Winter Storm Uri in 2021, she joined PUCT as counsel to Commissioner Lori Cobos, advising on issues across the ERCOT, MISO, and SPP power regions before stepping into her current role in January 2025.

Jessie has demonstrated exceptional leadership in her implementation of Senate Bill 6 from the 89th Legislative Session — one of the most consequential energy policy initiatives in recent Texas history, addressing large-load interconnections, transmission cost allocation, and reliability planning. Her ability to bridge complex legal, technical, and policy considerations, all while maintaining grace and professionalism under pressure, has earned her recognition as a role model for young professionals navigating high-stakes regulatory work.

Looking ahead, Jessie hopes to build on the knowledge and experience she's gained throughout her career to help uplift the next generation of industry professionals.

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