Member Spotlight

WING is built on inclusiveness. Membership, leadership, events, initiatives, awards, and most activities are open to all. The resulting impact that WING has in the global geothermal industry is amazing. WING has brought awareness and pursues overt and subtle ways to create big changes. You do not have to be a woman to reap the benefits of WING.

Senior Geologist US Navy, Geothermal Program Office Keeping young people interested in STEM is vastly important for this planet’s future. Being an advocate for women within the geothermal industry is hopefully a small role we are playing to push the importance of girls to refuse to drop off in STEM fields as they grow.

The world is faced with big challenges, the energy industry not excluded. To solve these challenges we need a diverse workforce because diverse groups make better decisions, foster better work ethics and make for a more fun environment to work in.

The demand for clean energy has never been higher, and I am thrilled to be part of the geothermal community as we rise to the challenge. As geothermal enters a new era of global deployment, I see the work of WING as critical to our success in that endeavor.

Geothermal remains largely peripheral as an energy market concern. There are technical, economic, and other barriers to overcome before we can expect to see geothermal energy become more widely utilized - what is needed most are new visionaries and champions in geothermal. WING is the beacon; a call-to-arms for a diverse, equitable, and revolutionary energy workforce.

During my time at USEA, I was able to form strong relationships with women working in the geothermal industry in multiple East African countries and helped to connect them with other women in the industry outside of their home countries. Now at NREL, I’m excited to see more young girls and women enthusiastic about geothermal and other sciences as the sector attracts new members of the workforce with varied skills and backgrounds.

Lifting women up and helping them achieve their full potential in the geothermal sector benefits everyone: families, communities, businesses and organizations, as well as our planet! This is what WING is about and I’m proud to be part of it

It is wonderful to see the amount of encouragement for gender equality. We are fortunate in New Zealand to have an intelligent and enthusiastic group of women in geothermal. Thanks to WING, their passion for excellent geothermal engineering and science is spreading.

To address the challenges of optimizing geothermal energy utilization, we need the best thought processes and decisions. These come from diverse groups that look at the problems and think from multiple perspectives. WING actively supports making this happen.

I've had an amazing career as a woman geophysicist in resource exploration for almost 40 years. I want to do whatever I can to encourage women in STEM so that they too can participate in fields like geothermal with fortitude and enthusiasm, and without bias or barriers.

Until we have reached real equality in the workforce, as a woman you have to learn the rules of the game, accept that there are (un)conscious biases, adapt to them, and continue to set your own goals and ambitions regardless what your cultural context predicts you.

Without intentionally setting out to be a champion of gender equality in geothermal and/or STEM, the gender-oriented roadblocks I have (and continue to) face(d) in my academic career are substantial. I am pulling for a sustainable planet and significant progress on gender equity into the future.

We need to be a voice for those who haven’t yet found their own voices. Then one day they can do the same for others. It’s like breaking the cycle. We all hold the power to advocate for one another, you just need to believe in what is important and be willing to speak up for it. Don’t underestimate the ripples you are capable to create.

"It's a choice - everyone can use their power, authority, influence etc to either stop progress from occurring or they can choose to help make progress happen. I choose and encourage others to make things happen, to support others and create a better tomorrow. Let's all make sure that when looking back in life that we made the right choices and made the right things happen"

It was difficult for me to decide to return to Iceland for my Masters degree. My daughters were really happy when I was accepted into the Masters Fellowship and said I should not let go of the opportunity. They say I’m an inspiration and I want to inspire more girls to step out of their comfort zones and create a world where we won‘t have to think about Gender equality.

I work as a wellsite geologist on geothermal exploration projects in remote locations. Often I am the only woman on site. To be a confident and competent voice in that atmosphere I do not, "think like a man", but rather think like a team!

I am member of WING to do my part in empowering women who are impacted by gender inequality in STEM fields. WING has done an excellent job of making the geothermal industry more accessible to women internationally, and I’m proud to be a part of such an amazing organization.

I work diligently in my personal and professional life to be visible for the next generation of young women. There is nothing they can’t accomplish, and it is our job to remind them of that with our own work.

I support WING because, not only does this group encourage and give confidence to girls and women to get involved in the geothermal sector, but it also demonstrates to women that their views are important. When you are a member of a disadvantaged group, it is common to feel as if your voice is being censored. But I believe that one of the most wonderful parts of being a WING member is that I am always sure that regardless of our race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, gender, or any other factor, our voice is heard.

I believe that women’s progress is important in the diversification of the geothermal sector. If a majority of women get involved in the field, we will have more different points of view, which will make up a richer workforce. We women have a lot of potential to make the sector shine and show that an industry that takes into account the issue of gender has a better performance and becomes more productive

In my home country of Turkey, female engineers rarely worked in the fields. But, my passion for renewable energy wasn’t gender-based and I spent a lot of time and energy working to prove that there are no men or women in the fields, only visionaries looking towards a sustainable future. In WING, I have been given the opportunity to help support women, to give them the ability to face and overcome difficulties similar to what I have faced. But ultimately, WING reminds me that I am not alone.

Borealis GeoPower - I want to support a world where women reach their full potential, where they are rewarded for their grit and determination. I envision an industry flourishing with intelligent, thoughtful, and driven colleagues, and WING shows me that we are already on our way there.

I am in awe of the change makers I see in the geothermal industry – those working to improve our industry, invent new technologies, increase outreach, and overcome gender inequality. It’s true what’s been said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” To all of you, thank you!!