Leveraging technology and leadership to accelerate energy innovation (ENU201)

Harnessing Technology and Leadership to Accelerate Energy Innovation

Introduction

  • Samita Shah, Global Head of Industry Marketing for Energy and Utilities at AWS, and the founder of AWS reinvent women Reinventing energy, a volunteer-based affinity group.
  • Joined by Dalen Copeland, Vice President of Digital Transformation at EDF Renewables for North America.
  • The discussion explores how the intersection of technology, leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) can drive innovation and create a more equitable future in the energy industry.

Embedding DE&I in the Energy Industry

  • Women make up only 29% of the renewable energy workforce and 16% of leadership roles in the energy industry.
  • EDF Renewables has intentional efforts to break barriers and create opportunities for underrepresented groups, including:
    • Explicit anti-discrimination policies
    • Benefits like gender-affirming care
    • Commitment to supplier diversity

Aligning Global and Local DE&I Strategies

  • EDF Renewables North America defines diversity, equity, and inclusion to create an intercultural workspace that celebrates various dimensions of diversity.
  • Utilizes global and local surveys to assess employee engagement and experiences related to DE&I.
  • Leverages the Hofstede Cultural Index to understand and navigate cultural differences when working across global teams.
  • Thoughtfully approaches initiatives like adding gender pronouns to the Microsoft tenant, considering the global context and potential unintended consequences.

Conscious Leadership and Data-Driven Strategies

  • Conscious leadership starts with self-awareness, recognizing one's own biases and a willingness to learn and grow.
  • Using data to understand the employee talent pipeline, identify drop-offs for underrepresented groups, and shape intentional actions at individual, team, and organizational levels.

Technology's Role in Advancing Inclusion and Equity

  • Challenges: Addressing the potential for coded bias in AI and machine learning models.
  • Opportunities:
    • Enabling hybrid work models that benefit underrepresented groups.
    • Leveraging technology to accommodate diverse work styles and accessibility needs.
    • Applying technology to remove bias in talent acquisition processes.

Conclusion

  • The future of energy is not just about advancing technology, but also ensuring that progress uplifts everyone and creates a more equitable future.
  • Lessons learned from EDF Renewables' initiatives can be applied across the energy industry to accelerate innovation and inclusivity.

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