Smart Energy Voices Smart Energy Decisions

We’re celebrating the 100th episode of Smart Energy Voices with a showcase of women leaders who are driving sustainability in the energy sector. As recorded at the recent Net Zero Forum Spring,  2024 WISE (Women in Smart Energy) winners Renée Yarmy, Eryn Beddoes and Leigh Pearson discuss advancing net-zero efforts, workforce development, the value of mentorship, improving gender diversity in STEM and energy, and their personal motivations.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…

Innovative projects and sustainability goals [02:09]

A closer look at WISE winners' contributions [07:16]

Challenges/opportunities for women in energy and sustainability sectors [16:41]

Gender diversity and collaboration in the energy transition [29:27]


Click here for detailed show notes

Resources & People Mentioned:

2024 WISE Award Winners

ConnexFM

INFLATION REDUCTION ACT OF 2022 | Department of Energy

Red Deer Polytechnic


Connect with Renée Yarmy
On LinkedIn

Connect with Eryn Beddoes
On LinkedIn

Connect with Leigh Pearson
On LinkedIn

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If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Debra Chanil welcomes back Becky Wacker, the Director of Energy Services Sales at Trane Commercial. In Episode 88, they dug into the challenges and opportunities that commercial building operators face today in light of their decarbonization efforts.
In this new episode, Becky discusses how to seize decarbonization as an organizational opportunity and provides a framework for navigating complexity and prioritizing where to turn decarbonization into a competitive advantage. 

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…

Regulatory push for decarbonization (2:42)

Impact of decarbonization in different areas of an organization (6:46)

Breaking down silos within organizations (10:23)

Cost savings and improved operational efficiency (13:05)


Click here for detailed show notes

Resources & People Mentioned:

Nielsen IQ 2022 Study about Sustainability

Sustainable Brands 2021 Study about Sustainable Behaviors


Connect with Becky Wacker
On LinkedIn

Becky Wacker is the Director of Sales for Energy Services at Trane by Trane Technologies, leading acquisition and implementation of complex facility programs and projects. She has 15 years of experience helping customers leverage their buildings to better meet their organizational goals, with a particular passion for decarbonization and efficiency. 
Becky received her Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Minnesota while winning two Division I National Championships with the Women’s Ice Hockey team. She sits on the board for Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM) and National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO), and can often be found in a sports venue playing, watching, or coaching in her spare time. 

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Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio
If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Debra Chanil speaks with Brittney Boyd, founder and CEO of the Energy Equity Group (EEG). Brittney shares her personal journey, from growing up in a low-income neighborhood to becoming an influential figure in the clean energy industry, and delves deeper into the mission and goals of the Energy Equity Group.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…

Energy Equity Group’s mission and goals (07:41)

Role of corporate partnerships (09:28)

Importance of authenticity and integrity (13:23)

Corporate responsibility and additionality (15:55)


Click here for detailed show notes
Resources & People Mentioned:

Energy Equity Group

Sadie Bronk

Energy Bees


Connect with Brittney Boyd
On LinkedIn

Brittney Boyd is the CEO and Founder of The Energy Equitable Group (EEG), offering authentic and meaningful environmental justice services to corporations committed to an equitable and just transition to clean energy. She holds an associate degree in business administration and has over 15 years in the sales industry and 11 years in enterprise partnership management.
Brittney Boyd's educational foundation is rooted in her studies at Temple University's Fox School of Business. She excelled in the workforce, showcasing exceptional communication skills, adaptability, and a data-driven approach in both B2B and B2C sales environments. She led multiple successful sales partnership teams across various regions for AT&T Telecommunications, a Fortune 10 company.

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Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio
If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com.

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil welcomes Emily Schapira, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Energy Authority. She’s also a recent winner of the DEI Impact award in the Catalyst for Change category. They discuss how the Philadelphia Energy Authority is making great strides in the push for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...


Learning about the Philadelphia Energy Authority [01:25]

Emily’s background in the energy industry [02:50]

Renewable energy and the job market [05:38]  

The Philadelphia Energy Authority and the federal government [09:45] 

The priorities of the Philadelphia Energy Authority [12:43] 

How its partnerships are created and structured [16:03] 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace [19:37] 

What’s next for Emily and the Philadelphia Energy Authority [26:35] 


Click here for detailed show notes

Resources & People Mentioned


Philadelphia Energy Authority

American Association of Blacks in Energy 

Solarize Philly 

The Green Retrofit Immersive Training (GRIT) Program

Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

Connect with Emily Schapira

On LinkedIn


Emily has led the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) as its President and CEO since 2016. PEA is an independent municipal authority building a robust, equitable clean energy economy in Philadelphia. PEA has supported over $800M in energy efficiency and clean energy programs and projects so far, creating over 7,000 jobs. PEA's work has been nationally recognized as a model for other states and municipalities. It covers City infrastructure, the School District of Philadelphia, housing, small businesses, and commercial and industrial properties. Prior to joining PEA, Emily led energy efficiency work across commercial and industrial customer portfolios for WESCO and Aelux and served in sustainability roles with Wharton, Intel, and Verizon. She chairs the board of the Philadelphia Green Capital Corp, Philly's green bank.
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At its recent Net Zero Forum, Smart Energy Decisions conducted live interviews with energy customers at various stages of their decarbonization strategies. This episode of the Heard at NZF mini-series focuses on energy customers in healthcare. The interviews feature Scott Czubkowski, the National Director of Energy and Facility Performance at Medxcel Facilities, and Cory Pouliot, the Senior Director of Facilities Operations at Boston Medical Center.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...


National solutions for sustainable healthcare [02:05]

Making data-based decisions [07:41]

Sustainability and DEI in healthcare facility construction [11:25]

Bringing the community on board [13:43]


Click here for detailed show notes

Connect with Scott Czubkowski

On LinkedIn

Scott Czubkowski PE, CHC is the Director of Energy and Facility Performance at Medxcel.  His specialties include large-scale demand side reduction strategies resulting in utility savings and lower carbon emissions (GHG), supply side management procurement strategies that leverage large portfolio aggregation which supports RE strategies and facility performance programs that optimizes existing assets while optimizing maintenance costs. 

Mr. Czubkowski entered the energy arena in 1990 as a nuclear plant construction engineer on 688 Los Angeles Class submarines and has supported hospital demand side programs since 1994 through various roles as a BAS controls engineer, HVAC system design builder, professional MEP consultant. Most recently, he manages over 1.9 TWh of emissions.

He is a licensed trainer for Florida CILB continuing education programs, an adjunct professor for DeVry University and has spoken at regional engagements related to energy and HVAC system operations.  

Geographical regions served: SE & Central US, Caribbean Islands, Switzerland, Holland, France and Canada.

Connect with Cory Pouliot

On LinkedIn

Cory Pouliot is the Senior Director of Facilities Operations at Boston Medical Center. Cory possesses strong leadership and organizational competencies combined with strategic planning skills to ensure functional and sustainable program development and implementation, for both clinical and ancillary support/service areas.

Cory holds a Master’s degree in Facilities Management from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and a MBA in Healthcare Administration from Anna Maria College.  Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering and Facilities and Plant Engineering; both from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.  Cory is a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives.  

Cory is also an Adjunct Professor at Wentworth Institute of Technology, teaching various courses in numerous undergraduate and graduate programs in their Facilities Management and Construction Management programs.  

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If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com

At its recent Net Zero Forum, Smart Energy Decisions conducted live interviews with energy customers at various stages of their decarbonization strategies. This episode of the Heard at NZF mini-series features interviews with energy customers in the commercial space. The guests are Joshua Witte, Director of Energy Sustainability and ESG at Dollar Tree stores, Rebecca Hensley, Senior Manager of Environment Programs at CSX, and Gary Hilber, Chief Sustainability Officer at Local Bounti.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...


Dollar Tree’s first steps in sustainability [01:42]

Landlord and internal buy-in [06:48]

CSX Transportation’s emission reduction efforts [11:49]

Renewable diesel and alternative fuels in the rail industry [13:50]

Local Bounti’s sustainable commitment [17:36]

Sustainability progress in agriculture [25:39]


Find detailed show notes here
 
Resources & People Mentioned


Dollar Tree, Inc.

CSX

Local Bounti