11/7/2022 8:00:00 AM | AT&T Conference Center, Austin, TX

Save this date

GCPA emPOWERing Women Leadership Conference 2022

Online registration is now closed. On-site will be available at the event at on-site registration prices.

8th Annual emPOWERing Women
Leadership Conference
Monday, November 7, 2022

In-Person at
The AT&T Conference Center ~ Austin


View the Conference Brochure
View the Sponsorship Brochure


Join us for this one-day, in-person conference focused on community, leadership and career advancement for women in the electric power industry! All-inclusive conference registration includes:
** Cocktail reception
** Lunch, beverages and breaks
** Networking opportunities
** Interactive Q&A sessions with speakers
** A full day of keynote speakers, presentations and panels


THANKS TO OUR PLANNING TEAM
Chair: Alicia Rigler
, Rigler Energy Development
Co-Chair: Jennifer Littlefield, Haynes & Boone LLP

Donna Benefield, NRG Energy
Grace Cammack, ENGIE
Barbara Clemenhagen, Customized Energy Solutions
Carrie Eberhard, Principle Services
Cherie Fuller, EDF Energy Services
Theresa Gage, Theresa M. Gage Consulting
Patricia Gardner Young, Pinnacle Power Consulting
Cathy Garza, Eversheds Sutherland
Stephanie Kroger, Hunt Power
LaShunda Patrick, Oncor


 

DIAMOND SPONSORS



















 

PLATINUM SPONSORS













GOLD SPONSORS




















 

AGENDA - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7th

8:00 AM   REGISTRATION ~ CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

8:45 AM   WELCOME - Kim Casey, Executive Director, Gulf Coast Power Association, Alicia Rigler, Rigler Energy Development, and Jennifer Littlefield, Counsel, Haynes & Boone LLP

9:00 AM   KEYNOTE - Value of Diversity and Inclusion
In times of crisis, diversity and inclusion (D&I) can get pushed to the sidelines. But science and experience prove that D&I is essential to help organizations weather the storm. Companies that invest in developing inclusive leaders and cultures and building balanced teams fare better than others in crisis. Inclusive cultures band together in disrupted conditions; drive resilience; improve problem solving, risk management and opportunity identification; and forge a deeper sense of connection with employees, clients and communities. Kelly Tomblin is a passionate leader who has built her teams into healthy, diverse organizations that have weathered storms and pandemics successfully. Kelly will share stories of things that worked and some that didn’t, so we might all learn the value of D&I.

Keynoter: Kelly Tomblin, President & CEO, El Paso Electric

9:20 AM   INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION - Learning to Lead in a REALway®
The fundamental tenets of Design Thinking and Improvisational Comedy come together during this interactive keynote session led by Amanda Austin, a business founder/owner and improv comedian. We’ll explore the four tenets of REALway® - Respect, Empathy, Action, and Listening - and how, when paired together, they can teach us to work collaboratively and not competitively, while pushing the boundaries of innovation to create a more people-focused brand.

Presenter: Amanda Austin, Comedy House

10:35 AM   NETWORKING BREAK

11:05 AM   PANEL - Risk! What’s Your Appetite?
Ever wondered if you could start your own venture, take a leadership role in a cutting-edge company or start-up and not only live to tell the tale but also thrive and succeed? Risk is an essential element of any new venture and the last few years have shown us risk is also always with us. Listen to our panelists detail how they managed taking risks in their own careers, and what female leaders need to succeed in new spaces and take the chances that bring their careers to the next level.

Moderator: Theresa Gage, Theresa M. Gage Consulting

Panelists:
Hala Ballouz, President, Electric Power Engineers
Audrey Fogarty, Chief Operating Officer, Jupiter Power
Allison Piper Kimball, Managing Partner, Wave 27 Ventures

11:50 PM   CONVERSATION - A Call to Action
Inequities for both women and underrepresented minorities in the corporate ladder begin early. Starting with manager-level promotions, the percentage of women and minorities advancing trails men and the inequities only increase with each step in the ladder. The pandemic also continues to take a toll on employees, but especially women, with stress levels escalating much faster among women than men as the work-life balance changes. Adding to these issues, the gender gap in pay has remained relatively stable in the United States for about 15 years. In 2021, women earned 83% of what men earned and the gap for Black and Latina women is far worse. What are companies doing to disrupt these inequities and support and help women and minority leaders to be successful? Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) professionals will share the initiatives and tools their companies are deploying to drive results.

Facilitator: Barbara Clemenhagen, Vice President, Market Intelligence, Customized Energy Solutions

Presenters:
Kim Hughes, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager, AEP
Michelle Smith, Sr. Manager - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, NRG
Cindy Steffen, Director, Employee Development, Austin Energy

12:20 PM   LUNCHEON

1:50 PM   AFTER LUNCH YOGA ENERGY BOOST: Kim Goyette, Leader
Yoga is for more than just relaxing! Through breathwork and office-attire friendly postures, we will ignite your internal flame to step toward accomplishing your goals and manifesting your dreams.

2:00 PM   INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION - The Brain: Building Resiliency in Uncertain Times
Do you ever wonder why we react to things a certain way? Is it by conscious action or are we hardwired to respond? Join Cherie Fuller as she leads an entertaining and interactive discussion that touches on concepts gleaned from author Dr. Helena Boschi’s book Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Our Brain to Get the Best Out of Ourselves and Others. Complicated neuroscience research is simplified and applied to real life situations which will be used to facilitate table conversations about topics such as negativity bias, effective leadership in times of change and building resiliency.

Presenter: Cherie Fuller, Vice President, Retail Operations, EDF Energy Services

3:00 PM   NETWORKING BREAK

3:30 PM   WOMEN IN POWER BOOK CLUB - She Thinks Like a Boss: Leadership by Jemma Roedel
Have you ever been reading one of the many leadership how-to books on the market and wondered what female leaders in your industry would have to say? Join us as a circle of influential female executives in the power industry discuss Jemma Roedel’s She Thinks Like a Boss: Leadership and share their own hard-earned advice on how to tackle leadership challenges, build high-performance teams and effectively communicate and negotiate your way to success.

Moderator: Kim Casey, Executive Director, GCPA

Panelists:
Donna Benefield, Sr. Vice President, Program Office, NRG
Deanna Rodriguez, President & CEO, Entergy New Orleans
Alexandra Williams, Vice President, Origination, Industrial Sun

4:15 PM   PANEL - C-Suite Roundtable
You won’t want to miss this signature conference event as we bring together a phenomenal group of women serving in executive roles across the power industry for a candid discussion on leadership, risk taking, and career longevity.

Moderator: Beth Garza, Senior Fellow, The R Street Institute

Panelists:
Mary Anne Brelinsky, President, EDF Energy North America
Sally Shaw, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Broad Reach Power
Judith Talavera, President & Chief Operating Officer, AEP Texas

5:15 PM   COCKTAIL RECEPTION

PRICING INFORMATION

 
PRICING Early Bird Registration through 10/24/22 Regular Registration 10/25/22 - 11/4/22 Onsite Reg.   11/7/22
GCPA Members $500 $550 $600
Non-Members $550 $600 $650
State Agency Employees $245 $245 $295
 

CONFERENCE PRICE: Includes full day conference with breakfast, lunch, breaks, and cocktail reception.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION PRICING: Available through COB on Monday 10/24/22

ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSING: Closes on Friday 11/4/22 at 12:00 Noon.

ON-SITE / WALK-IN REGISTRATION: Opens at 8:00 AM on Monday 11/7/22.

REFUND POLICY: Cancellations must be received by 5:00 PM on Monday 10/24/22 in order to receive a refund. A 10% service fee (minimum fee of $10) will be charged against all refunds. (Because of COVID, cancellations due to illness will be accepted up to November 7th as long as the request is received no later than 12:00 PM on November 7th.) Please direct all cancellation requests to Mary Armstrong.