Roadmap to WGC 2023
The Journey
- The ‘Roadmap to WGC 2023’ is a continuation of the ground-breaking work done by the New Zealand WING Team from 2015 to 2020. WING made great strides that empowered and elevated women in geothermal during this period. After taking the Global role, the US WING Team met extensively with the New Zealand team and WING Ambassadors from around the globe to discuss the continued vision and next steps that guide us to China and to the 2023 World Geothermal Congress (WGC 2023).
- As the geothermal community convenes to share accomplishments in research and project developments, another important WING milestone will occur: a new country will become the WING Global Team, carrying WING’s message and initiatives forward, continuing the gender equality dialogue, and taking actions that lift and promote women in the geothermal community.
❝ 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.❞
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