In honour of International Women’s Day, RE Royalties would like to highlight some of the leading women in the renewable energy industry across Canada.
Not only do these women play a significant role in advancing the renewable energy industry, but they also play a part in advancing the role and recognition of women working in the energy sector by being active members of the ‘Women in Renewable Energy’ community.
The renewable energy industry has grown tremendously in the past decade.
Accelerating the deployment of renewables can alleviate poverty, create jobs, improve welfare, and strengthen gender equality," says Adnan Amin, Director of the International Renewable Energy Agency.
"Still, to fully realize this potential, the renewable energy industry has to tap a wider pool of talent- notably that of women who have been largely underrepresented, depriving the energy transition of typical capacities."
Equality is not a women's issue, it's a business issue. Gender equality is essential for economies and communities to thrive. A gender equal world can be healthier, wealthier and more harmonious - so what's not great about that?
The race is on for the gender equal boardroom, a gender equal government, gender equal media coverage, gender equal workplaces, gender equal sports coverage, more gender equality in health and wealth ... so let's make it happen.
Elbia Gannoum - Brazilian Wind Energy Association
Elbia Gannoum is the CEO of ABEEólica, an association that supports wind energy projects in Brazil. Elbia holds a degree in Economics from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina in Brazil. Elbia started her career as a researcher after completing her masters and doctorate. She first discovered her interest in the energy industry after doing her PhD thesis on restructuring the Brazilian electric power industry. After working in the National Electric Energy Agency for a couple years, Elbia decided to start her own association supporting wind projects- ABEEólica.
One of the main issues Elbia overlooks is to defend wind energy as a fundamental source of energy for the expansion of the Brazilian electricity matrix. Her efforts have been well worth it; starting with an installed capacity of only 1 GW, wind energy is now the second most used energy source in Brazil with an installed capacity of 15 GW.
Elbia is a recipient of the C3E Woman of Distinction Award. She says that her greatest inspiration is her mother, who taught her dedication and hard work. Raised in a town in Minas Gerais with four brothers and three sisters, her mother always encouraged gender equality. As the years go by, she realizes how alike she and her mother are, not only in looks, but personality as well! Read her full bio here.
Eryn Stewart - Lumos Energy
Eryn Stewart is a Project Director at Lumos Energy- a leading clean energy advisory group to Indigenous communities in Canada. Eryn is also the Director and Creator of the 20/20 Catalysts- an award-winning catalyst-building program, under the not-for-profit the Indigenous Clean Energy Social Enterprise.
She has a degree from the University of Waterloo in Environment and Business. Before working at Lumos, Eryn worked at various other organizations like Suncor Energy and the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. She has gone on to receive considerable recognition from the industry and has received the Corporate Knights award in 2018, as well as the 30 under 30 Leaders in Sustainability award.
Eryn is a proponent of more women taking up roles in the Clean Energy industry, especially in technical and leadership roles, which is why she feels so passionate about her involvement with 'Women in Renewable Energy'. She attributes much of her work ethic, generosity, and leadership to her dad, who she calls her 'role model'. Read more about Eryn's work with Indigenous leadership and clean energy here.
Tracy Robillard - Northland Power Inc.
Tracy supports the legal function at Northland Power Inc. by providing general corporate and commercial legal advice. She also works on special projects and governance policies to support Northland's overall operations and business strategy. Tracy has been able to hone her skills in the legal department of the energy industry through years of experience at firms like Borden Ladner Gervais and Enersource Corporation. She began law school at the University of Ottawa interested in corporate and business law. During this time she completed a summer job where she got to provide assistance with legal energy files, which was her foray into the energy industry! Tracy is currently the mother of two and finds it incredibly important to balance her personal and professional life. Learn more about Tracy's journey here.
Talia Beckett Davis - RE Royalties
Last but not the least is our very own, Talia Beckett Davis! Talia currently works as the VP Communications and Sustainability at RE Royalties. She is also the founder of Canadian Women in Public Relations and American Women in Public Relations, a networking organization that brings together senior PR and media practitioners across North America. NASDAQ recognized her as a PR Influencer and PR Week highlighted how she is helping women in the PR field succeed.
Talia holds a Master's Degree in International Relations from the University of London, a Bachelor's Degree in Communication from Royal Roads University and a Marketing Management Diploma from Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
She teaches Crisis Communications in the Public Relations Certificate program at Simon Fraser University and she is completing a Sustainable Business Strategy Certificate at Harvard Business School. Talia is also a proud mother of a 4-year old son, and values family time just as much as she values her work!
From all us at RE Royalties, thanks to these women in renewable energy for being such an inspiration, for making their mark, and for paving the way for other female professionals aspiring to enter the clean energy industry!