Roadmap to WGC 2023

The Journey

❝ I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. … We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.❞

-Malala Yousafzai

WING GLOBAL CHAIR 2020

Ann-Robertson Tait

“If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough” - Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

In 2015 we set a goal for ourselves: 1,500 members by 2020. It was ambitious, but WING’s founding team in New Zealand was rewarded for aiming high. Today, with more than 2,300 members across the globe, WING is now the largest single geothermal association in the world.

With that growth, we have expanded our global network and our impact in the geothermal world. We launched our first WING Future Leaders Cohort in 2020 – 17 brilliant women from 11 different countries were supported in a year-long program to launch the next generation of female leaders in the geothermal community. In September 2021, the second Future Leaders Cohort began receiving the same practical training in critically important management and decision-making topics that are outside their areas of technical expertise.  The hard work of this second group of 12 women from 8 countries will not only create new career opportunities, but also serve as positive examples for other women with management aspirations.

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

In WING’s first roadmap, Andy Blair wrote that “Equality shouldn’t be hoped for, it should be expected.” WING holds that as a core truth of our work. Data show us that diversity leads to better work environments and higher productivity. The full potential that geothermal has to offer will be accelerated by seeking out and embracing diversity – this is WING’s guiding star.

The Roadmap to WGC 2023 presents WING’s global strategy for the next three years. As the utilization of geothermal energy expands, we welcome you to join us in our journey to inspire, guide and support the geothermal leaders of tomorrow.

Diverse teams make better decisions

The Reason for WING

“Diversity generates a better strategy, better risk management, better debates, and better outcomes.” -Alan Joyce

Over the last four decades, the percentage of women in the geothermal workforce has grown from less than 10% in 1980 to 22% in 2020 – a rate that suggests gender equality in the geothermal sector will not be achieved until 80 years from now. At less than halfway to our goal of 50%, we must do more.

In the face of these challenges, WING is delighted that the International Geothermal Association (IGA) and Geothermal Rising (GR, formerly GRC) have affirmed their commitment to diversity and gender representation. The Boards of these two organizations are made up of more women than ever before (64% for IGA,  61% for GR). However, the membership of the two organizations continues to show a significant gender gap (24% women in IGA, 18% women in GR).

Our work at WING is focused on advancing women in their careers and making women more visible in the geothermal community. Action by men will help ensure that the value of women is recognized and rewarded. Today, 27% of WING members are men, and that number is increasing. Our two main goals – 50% women in the geothermal community and 50% men in WING – are two sides of the same coin. As geothermal energy becomes more visible and valuable during the energy transition, gender equality is a critical step for increasing diversity and ensuring the success of the geothermal sector as a whole.

 

Generating Success

To deliver on our mission, and meet our goals prior to the next WGC, in April 2023, WING has focused on three main themes:

generating success

Connect

Goal

Increase the membership and participation of WINGmen in WING leadership and events.

Goal

Increase participation of women in industry leadership and events.

Goal

One WING group in every geothermal country – 10 new country chapters by 2023.

Connecting MEN THROUGH WINGMEN OUTREACH

  • 1000 WINGMen (striving for 50% WINGMen)
  • Include statistics on men within women’s groups/WING in our distribution/presentations
  • WINGMen participation in all WING events

Connecting Women

  • Female/WING Panel List
  • Mentoring

Connecting People

  • Consistent Ambassador outreach
  • Building on social media presence and influence

generating success

Mobilize

Goal

Develop programs and strategies to allow greater participation in WING activities.

Goal

Expand WINGman Special Task Force

Goal

Develop harassment policies for WING and help geothermal organizations build or implement their own harassment policies

Volunteer Army

  • Organise and implement
  • Flight Club

WINGMAn Special Task Force

  • Implemented in every geothermal country

Harassment Policy

  • WING
  • Geothermal Associations (IGA, GR, etc.)
  • Geothermal companies

generating success

Sustain

Goal

Develop and advance WING global structure and resources.

Goal

Develop resources to support development and growth of country WING chapters.

Goal

Develop and advance our members to become WING’s future leaders.

WING Organization and structure

  • New Global Board
  • New membership database & website

Grow Resources

  • Documents & Tools for all WING Chapters
  • Create new WING Country Chapters
  • Policy and framework for new WING Chapters

Engage members

  • Future Leader Forum
  • Outreach
    • WING Country Ambassadors
    • Social Media
    • Newsletters
    • Networking Events
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