Pioneer’s storytellers joined the Northwest Public Power Association Women in Public Power conference. The annual event highlights issues specific to women from all areas and levels in the public power industry, with a focus on networking and career development. As we wrap up Women’s History Month, we asked Pioneer Member Solutions Specialist Jackie Enlow to share her top five lessons from the event.

A growing number of women are thriving in both telco and electric co-op roles, and associations are meeting the trend with press coverage and networking opportunities.

Last month RE Magazine featured Utility Pioneer women CEOs. NWPPA’s Women In Public Power conference connects women working at municipal utilities, electric co-ops and public power districts in the Northwest. A similar one-day program, Women in Telecom, coincides with NTCA’s Telecom Executive Forum. 

More than two-thirds of Pioneer’s team of storytellers are women, so these trends are close to our hearts. Our co-op designed stickers for NWPPA’s Women in Public Power event with the phrase: 

Empowered Women Empower Women 

Throughout the conference, speakers challenged women to follow five steps to build stronger networks and a path for a fulfilling power at a utility. 

1. Know Your Why

What electrifies you and keeps you going?  

• Family 
• Friends 
• Community 
• Team 
• A cute little fur baby

The road to our goals isn’t always easy, but when we remember why we set out to achieve them in the first place, it’s easier to find your way and push forward to do what it takes to achieve them.

2. Identify Opportunities

What ways can contributing your energy have the greatest impact? A special project? Community service? Networking event? Advancement in your role? Training? Higher education?  

Talk to your manager and mentors about what growth opportunities are available, then get plugged in so you can use them as stepping stones toward your career goals. 

Want an example? Pioneer Board Member and Hood River Electric and Internet Co-op CEO Libby Calnon shared her path to utility leadership on The StoryConnect Podcast.

What areas of your life/career could you use wise counsel? Motivation? Support? Advice? Direction? Coaching? Training? Know your mentors and allow their success to shine light on the path set before you.   

Watch NTCA’s video about the power of mentorship, part of their Follow Women in Telecom video series.

4. Focus on Empowering Traits

How can you empower others? One of the main things that stuck with me was one of the speakers saying, “Everyone has a certain amount of currency, and they choose who they spend it on.” Know what your currency is and how you should spend it. 

This reminds me of the Zig Ziglar quote, “You can have everything you want in life, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” 

What can you offer your peers: Knowledge? Position? Network? Values? Your currency could be as simple as a positive mindset. You can choose to help encourage your peers each day, finding silver linings and helping co-workers find fresh ways to see situations. Know your empowering traits and use them to charge up others to reach their potential.

5. Follow your North Star

What guides you to your goals? Achievement? Cooperation? Recognition? Growth? Contribution? Inclusion?  

Everyone has something that pushes them to succeed and keeps them focused on what matters.  

What motivates you to keep going? Whether it’s career advancement plans or a spark of joy each time you help someone reach an achievement, your North Star is a compass directing you and keeping you from veering off course. It can be easy to feel lost on the way to your goals. Once you identify your North Star, allow it to amplify your focus on your purpose.   

Build your Network 

There are lots of ways to build your network. Here are a few of the opportunities we’ve identified 

• Join NRECA’s Professional Community Listserv for Women in Power (membership required) 
• Join the NTCA Women in Telecom Listserv (membership required) 
• Watch all three FollowWIT videos from NTCA 
• Join NTCA’s mentoring program (beta program in 2023; email mly@ntca.org for details) 
• Join your state’s chapter of Women’s International Network of Utility Professionals, celebrating 100 years of connecting women in 2023 

Are there other ways you connect with women in telcos and public power? Please send them our way and we’ll update this list! Want to meet with me to talk about this event and ways we can support your story? I’d love to talk.