Get Into Energy

Check out the PowHERful Women Mentorship Program and find a mentor in the trades:

https://cewd.mentorcollective.org/register/cewd-corporate/mentee

Want to be a mentor for someone entering the trades? Sign up here: https://cewd.mentorcollective.org/register/cewd-corporate/mentor

 

Curious how women find support, mentorship, and belonging in the energy trades? 

In this episode, brought to you by the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD), host Concetta Defa continues the conversation with professionals Erin Sullivan, Foreperson E-J Electric, Savy Francis, Pipefitter, and Amber Norred, Journey Level Operating En...

Duration: 00:29:56

Check out the PowHERful Women Mentorship Program and find a mentor in the trades:

https://cewd.mentorcollective.org/register/cewd-corporate/mentee

Want to be a mentor for someone entering the trades? Sign up here: https://cewd.mentorcollective.org/register/cewd-corporate/mentor

 

In this episode, brought to you by the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD), host Concetta Defa is joined by professionals Erin Sullivan, Foreperson E-J Electric, Savy Francis, Pipefitter, and Amber Norred, Journey Level Operating Engineer, who share their unique journeys to fulfilling and unexpected roles in unions, energy, construction, a...

Duration: 00:38:09

Check out the PowHERful Women Mentorship Program and find a mentor in the trades:

https://cewd.mentorcollective.org/register/cewd-corporate/mentee

Want to be a mentor for someone entering the trades? Sign up here: https://cewd.mentorcollective.org/register/cewd-corporate/mentor

 

In this episode of PowHer Hour, host Concetta Defa, an electrician by trade, continues her conversation with industry leader Vicki O'Leary, Director of Diversity and General Organizer for Ironworkers International, about wages, benefits, and career pathways that support women in the skilled trades.

They dive into researching wages a...

Duration: 00:25:48

Check out the PowHERful Women Mentorship Program and find a mentor in the trades:

https://cewd.mentorcollective.org/register/cewd-corporate/mentee

Want to be a mentor for someone entering the trades? Sign up here: https://cewd.mentorcollective.org/register/cewd-corporate/mentor

 

In this episode, brought to you by the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD), host Concetta Defa is joined by industry leader Vicki O'Leary, Director of Diversity and General Organizer for Ironworkers International, to dive deep into what pay and compensation really look like for tradeswomen.

In part 1 o...

Duration: 00:36:04

Check out the PowHERful Women Mentorship Program and find a mentor in the trades:

https://cewd.mentorcollective.org/register/cewd-corporate/mentee

Want to be a mentor for someone entering the trades? Sign up here: https://cewd.mentorcollective.org/register/cewd-corporate/mentor

 

Curious about what it takes to build a long-term career in the energy sector? Host Concetta Defa, an electrician by trade, resumes the conversation with energy professionals Saria Gwin-Maye, Journeyman Ironworker, Sammy Cossairt, Tower Crane Operator, and Sabrina St. Pierre, Journey Level Refractory.

In this conversation, the panel d...

Duration: 00:22:26

In this episode of Hire PowHER!, brought to you by the Center for Energy Workforce Development, host Concetta Defa guides you through an inspiring conversation with women thriving as a Bricklayer, Crane Operator, and Ironworker.

Discover what it's really like to work in energy trades as Saria Gwin-Maye, Journeyman Ironworker, Sammy Cossairt, Tower Crane Operator, and Sabrina St. Pierre, Journey Level Refractory, share their personal journeys—how they got started, overcame challenges, and built rewarding careers.

What do bricklayers, crane operators, and iron workers actually do on job sites? You'll hear first-hand stories about tackling co...

Duration: 00:36:56

As we continue the conversation with Traci Mitts, Journey Level Industrial Painter, Chantel Richard, Journey Level Electrician, and Jessica Downey, Journey Level Lineworker, we get an inside look at the challenges and strengths women bring to high-demand skilled trades careers in the energy industry. Hear real stories and practical advice from those who've overcome physical and mental obstacles on the job. In Part 2 our panel dives into:

What it's really like working in physically demanding energy sector roles

Smart strategies for thriving when strength isn't enough

The impact of teamwork and asking for...

Duration: 00:25:32

Get an inside look at skilled trades careers through real stories from women professionals within the energy industry. This time we are joined by Traci Mitts, Journey Level Industrial Painter, Chantel Richard, Journey Level Electrician, and Jessica Downey, Journey Level Lineworker.

This episode dives into the daily lives, the challenges, and the pathways they took in their roles. In Part 1, our panel breaks down:

What a typical day looks like for a line worker, electrician, and industrial painter

The apprenticeship process, including steps, hours, and advancement

Project-based work versus location-based assignments...

Duration: 00:31:51

Curious what's driving demand for skilled trades in the energy sector—and who's hiring? In this episode of Hire PowHER!, host Concetta Defa is joined by expert Stephanie Krabbe, Energy Industry Executive & Consultant, for a deep dive into the ever-evolving energy industry. They unpack:

Why aging infrastructure, clean energy transitions, and growing technology needs mean new opportunities in skilled trades

How retirements and workforce turnover are reshaping energy careers—and why it's urgent to start now

What it really takes to succeed in roles like line construction or equipment operation

The impa...

Duration: 00:29:21

Curious about careers in the energy industry? In this episode, host Concetta Defa and guest Stephanie Krabbe, Energy Industry Executive & Consultant, break down the broad range of skilled trades and workforce opportunities available, especially from the contractor perspective.

What defines the energy industry and the various sectors within it

The critical role contractors play, alongside utilities, in building and maintaining infrastructure

Skilled trades in demand—including electricians, line workers, equipment operators, pipefitters, welders, and more

Career pathways, including earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships and advancement into management, safety, and quality roles

How th...

Duration: 00:29:19

Curious about what a career in the energy industry really looks like for women? In this episode of Hire PowHER, brought to you by the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD), host Concetta Defa continues the conversation with guests Shannon Skinner, Lechana Rankins, and Michelle Gianelli. Together, they share the realities of working in the trades—the benefits, the challenges, and the support systems that make a difference.

You'll hear how jobs in the energy sector have helped women build solid foundations for themselves and their families, offering strong wages and life-changing benefits. The discussion explores how wo...

Duration: 00:33:28

Curious about careers in the energy industry? Welcome to Hire PowHER—a new series introducing women to the skilled trades that power our world.

In this first episode, brought to you by the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD), host Concetta Defa sits down with energy professionals Michelle Gianelli, Operating Engineers, Lechana Rankins, LIUNA, and Shannon Skinner, IBEW to share their career journeys and insights into the trades.

Here's what the conversation covers in this first episode:

What skilled trades are and how apprenticeships work in the energy sector Real stories from women working in...

Duration: 00:43:21

Coming soon! 

Duration: 00:15:34