NCSEA Celebrates Women’s History Month
At NCSEA, we strive to create a more diverse and inclusive clean energy workforce. By now you have (hopefully!) heard about our Women in Clean Energy (WICE) initiative. By fostering a supportive network for self-identifying women in the North Carolina clean energy industry, we hope to create a space that allows women to reach their full potential and lead on the important issues facing our community today. In honor of Women's History Month, we wanted to highlight some of the women leading the way to a sustainable future for North Carolina and beyond. As you'll see below, these women are achieving great things and we are grateful for their dynamic and inspiring work.
If you have any questions about NCSEA's WICE initiative or the women featured below, please contact Jordan Jones.
Kelly Speakes-Backman is first CEO of the Energy Storage Association. She is a former Commissioner of the Maryland Public Service Commission, who has spent more than 20 years working on energy and environmental issues in the public, NGO and private sectors. Kelly believes there has never been a more exciting time than this, with the proliferation of energy storage as the central hub of clean energy resources. She is excited for the creativity in looking at the grid in a new way. "Not just to provide reliable energy - but going further into resilient, efficient, sustainable, and affordable energy."
Jennifer Diggins currently serves as Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs for Albemarle Corporation. She works closely with Albemarle’s global lithium sites to develop relationships within the government, communities and other decision-making entities to advocate for and educate around key critical issues including electrification, trade and clean energy. Jennifer previously held several positions in Washington D.C. and within state government, always with a focus on energy issues and the importance of developing a strong and well rounded energy policy that promotes economic growth.
Rachael Estes has worked on clean energy policy for over a decade. She currently serves as the Government and Regulatory Affairs Manager for Apex Clean Energy, a renewable energy company with over 3GW of renewable energy in the pipeline nationwide. In her role at Apex, Rachael manages government affairs for the East Coast. Prior to her time at Apex, Rachael served as the Climate and Energy Policy Manager at the North Carolina Conservation Network (NCCN) where she represented over 100 environmental groups across the state to advocate for stronger environmental protections and renewable energy policies in NC.
Dionne Delli-Gatti, a proud veteran of the US Air Force, has been with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) since July of 2017. In her role as the Southeast Director of Clean Energy with EDF, Dionne manages a team dedicated to maintaining North Carolina’s clean energy leadership position and promoting advanced energy solutions that create jobs, attract investments, cut pollution and power the Southeast’s economy reliably and affordably. Some highlights of her team’s work include, the NC Cities Initiative, engagement in the Executive Order 80 Clean Energy Plan, and on-bill financing and other equity focused work specifically with NC utility co-ops.
Marissa Paslick Gillett is the Vice President of External Relations for the Energy Storage Association (ESA). In this capacity, Marissa is responsible for providing the strategic vision and leadership regarding ESA’s overall brand, as well as providing leadership of the research, educational programming and events, marketing, and communications teams. She has the privilege of spending the past decade working to advance clean energy policies and initiatives that she believes will move the needle in the direction of, not only a more sustainable future, but also a more affordable one. Marissa holds degree in Bioengineering from Clemson University, and a J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Katharine Kollins is President of the Southeastern Wind Coalition, a non-profit dedicated to advancing wind power in the Southeast through outreach and education. Since September 2015 she has managed SEWC’s programming across 11 states working with a wide variety of
stakeholders to promote land-based, offshore, and imported wind power. Katharine is a 2009 graduate of Duke's Fuqua School of Business and Nicholas School of the Environment, where she earned her MBA and Master of Environmental Management. Katharine currently serves on the board of Advanced Energy as an appointee of NC Governor, Roy Cooper.
Mozine Lowe is excited to offer education and awareness programs in support of renewable energy. In partnership
with NCSEA, she has been successful in providing unique learning opportunities for government officials, community leaders, K-12 school students and more. Mozine looks forward to seeing more female representation at all levels in the clean energy sector. Mozine holds a B.S. in Sociology/Social Work from North Carolina A&T State University.
Betsy McCorkle is a partner at Kairos Government Affairs. Beyond expertise in lobbying, she provides a unique understanding of the policy process with extensive experience navigating complex issues and diverse stakeholders. Before joining the firm, Betsy directed the government affairs work for NCSEA. Betsy also has experience in workforce development, economic development, agricultural policy, and has been responsible for policy analysis and communications for political campaigns across the southeastern United States. Betsy received a Master Degree in Environmental Management from Duke University, and she holds a B.S. in Environmental Economics from the University of Georgia (UGA), where she graduated magna cum laude.
Marilynn Marsh-Robinson collaborates with electric cooperatives, rural communities and faith-based organizations to identify and implement holistic, sustainable energy solutions that incorporate a variety of socioeconomic factors. Marilynn has expertise in development of energy efficiency projects, including inclusive financing options for energy improvements, for local governments, nonprofits, and academic institutions. She holds a B.S. in Political Studies from Meredith College.
Julie Robinson has been part of NCSEA's lobbying team at the NC General Assembly for over a decade working to advance clean energy policies and opportunities in our state. Julie's past political and government work experiences in DC and Raleigh helped hone her unique understanding of the public and “behind-the-scenes” intricacies of the legislative and regulatory processes, coupled with very strong relationships with lawmakers and key staff – all of which helps her clients advance their policy agendas.
Melissa Malkin-Weber has been Sustainability Director at Self-Help for almost six years, and sometimes still "pinches herself" when she looks at her business card. Every day she's stretched to find the most creative and effective ways to save energy for her operations, to support their borrowers and communities where they work, and to learn new energy sectors so that they can make smart investments. Self-Help’s work is fueled by the passion of their members and depositors who believe that impact capital can change the world.