January Energizing Conversation
Rebecca Conway of Clarios will be facilitating a conversation on salary negotiations for our next Energizing Conversation, scheduled on Friday, January 13 at 12 p.m. EST. WGBI members should have received a calendar invitation along with a link to the article.
Year-In-Review Meeting
Nearly 50 WGBI members came together on December 8 for the last meeting in 2022 to provide feedback on the programming offered to the membership in WGBI's inaugural year. The meeting started off with an informative overview of WGBI's accomplishments in 2022.
WGBI's Inaugural Year By The Numbers:
- 10 events held including, webinars, Energizing Conversations, and in-person meetings.
- 21 participants in the pilot Mentor Program.
- 45 average attendees for the Energizing Conversations - informal discussions on a selected topic of interest.
- 54 average attendees for the career and industry webinars.
Members provided valuable insight and feedback on the programming offered and suggestions for the future. Thank you to all who attended and provided helpful feedback along with new programming ideas. The WGBI leadership is currently evaluating the feedback and will be taking it into consideration as we start our second year in 2023!
Member Meeting, Reception/Dinner and Keynote Presentation
During BCI’s Committee Week, nearly 50 WGBI members celebrated the first year anniversary of the women’s affinity group. The Steering Committee convened a business meeting prior to a networking reception and dinner with keynote speaker, Maggie Teliska of Enel Green Power.
During the business meeting we heard about some of WGBI’s first-year initiatives on programming, branding development, involvement in academia, member recruitment, and the 2022 expenses and 2023 budget. There is no doubt that in its inaugural year, the WGBI accomplished much. The 200+ members are a recognition of that success.
Following the business meeting, members enjoyed a networking reception and then sat down for dinner to hear from Dr. Teliska. Dr. Teliska is the Battery Energy Storage Systems Technical Services Manager at Enel Green Power and shared with us the Role of Batteries in Renewable Power Generation where she discussed her work on the storage and on-demand release of renewable energy stored by batteries.
Tuesday, July 12 | Zoom Meeting
WGBI members convened on July 12 for an inspirational session with three unique industry professionals, Jennifer Slater, Vice President and General Manager, Original Equipment & Products, Clarios; Irina Spiry, Technology Manager, Battery Products, Hollingsworth & Vose; and Ray Goodearl, Vice President, Strategic Accounts, Indic Group. Attendees heard how forces within and outside of their control shaped the panelists’ careers. Over 40 members joined the webinar, moderated by Nancy Martin of NRM Consulting, who guided the conversation with thought-provoking questions and provided her own nuggets of wisdom. The discussion featured key advice from the panelists as they talked about the twists and turns in their own career paths, commented on the benefits of networking, were asked to consider past decisions they might change if they had the power to (spoiler: they would not change a thing!) and the importance of being open with fellow coworkers about what you want from your career. In the end, each offered a key piece of advice to the group: just keep swimming, don't die—everything else you can come back from, the glass is always half full, and work to live, don't live to work.
Thank you to everyone who attended! If you are a member of WGBI and missed the webinar, email WGBI to get a link to the recording.
May 2, 2022 | BCI Convention + Power Mart Expo | Naples, FL
Nearly fifty WGBI members convened on Monday, May 2 at the first in-person member meeting during the BCI Convention + Power Mart Expo in Naples, FL. WGBI President, Julie McClure (MAC Engineering and Equipment) presided over the meeting, which included reports from officers and standing subcommittee chairs, and a short presentation from Nancy Martin (NRM Consulting) on networking tips and tricks.
Following the meeting, non-members and representatives from the sponsoring companies gathered for a networking reception. Special thanks go out to the sponsors of the event, C&D Technologies/Trojan Battery and Hollingsworth & Vose for their generous support.
April 8 | Zoom Meeting
Ellen Maxey, WGBI Secretary (Clarios), facilitated a discussion around an article written by Kelly Shue, Finance Professor, Yale University, "Women Aren't promoted Because Managers Underestimate Their Potential." The 60-minutes session, with interaction among the 51 participants, provided valuable insights into the challenges women face in the workplace. These WGBI member discussion groups will be scheduled monthly. WGBI members are encouraged to submit topics for future consideration and volunteer to lead these high-energy sessions.
March 16 | Zoom Webinar
Nancy Martin of NRM Consulting presented, "Developing a Career that is Right for you," to help guide members toward meaningful career growth. The webinar was a 'survey session' that touched on many topics like, "you own your career" and the PIE model.
If you're a WGBI member interested in accessing the recording of these webinars, please contact WGBI@batterycouncil.org.
