WRISE and GRID Alternatives Announce 2024 Solar Fellowship Recipients
The eight aspiring solar professionals selected will attend RE+ in Anaheim
Brooklyn, NY — Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) and GRID Alternatives today announced the 2024 Rising Solar Fellowship recipients. A part of WRISE and GRID’s workforce diversity initiatives, the fellowship is aimed at anyone identifying as a woman or marginalized gender training for a career in clean energy, as well as college and graduate students studying renewable energy and related fields. The fellowship offers 100% of registration, lodging, travel, and food expenses to attend the RE+ trade show conference, 12 months of small group mentoring, networking opportunities, professional development programming, and job shadowing, as well as complimentary WRISE membership, and Leadership Forum access.
Meet the 2024 Rising Solar Fellows:
- Asenette Ruiz (she/her), Brown University, BS, Mechanical Engineering
- Sneha Narasimhan (she/her), FREEDM Systems Center, NC State University, PhD Student, Power Electronics
- Nia Nickens (she/her), Texas A&M, MS Student, Energy
- Karly Timko-Ruiz (she/her), Columbia University, BS, Earth & Environmental Engineering
- Julia Anelli (she/her), New York University, BS, Business Leadership & Management Studies
- Jennifer Ayala Pascasio (she/her), Columbia University, MS Student, Sustainability Management
- Destinie James (she/her), Tuskegee University, BA Student, Computer Engineering & Electrical Engineering
- Aubrey Jackson (they/them), Minnesota State University, Mankato-Iron Range Engineering, BS Student, Engineering Technology
“We know a global challenge in the clean energy transition is recruiting, training, and retaining diverse and talented individuals within renewables,” said WRISE Executive Director, Doseke Akporiaye. “This fellowship allows WRISE to help build a critical mass of young professionals who are open to learning, driven to share new ideas and deliberate in collaborating with those already in the sector, to bring about sustained growth of the industry. This would not be possible without our partnership with GRID Alternatives and our Corporate Partners and I am incredibly grateful for these partnerships which provide an opportunity for us to support these gifted students, graduates and future leaders, spearheading the transition into the next era of renewables to reshape the industry.”
“GRID is excited to be partnering with WRISE once again on this impactful fellowship. This year’s Rising Solar Fellows are exceptional women; though they are from diverse places and backgrounds, each embodies leadership, ingenuity, and a passionate commitment to equity and inclusion in the clean energy space. We’re honored to be a part of the fellows’ journeys as they launch their careers and continue to be forces for change in the communities we all serve.” said Laura Hirshfield, National SolarCorps Manager at GRID Alternatives.
Connect with the 2024 Rising Solar Fellows at one of our RE+ events. These dynamic leaders are eager to share their experiences and insights with you. Be sure to join us and meet them at the Celebrating Women in Renewable Energy Reception and RE+ Job Fair—it’s the perfect opportunity to engage with the future of renewable energy!
About Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy:
Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE), formerly Women of Wind Energy (WoWE), was founded in 2005 to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and equitable energy future by igniting the collective power of community. WRISE has local chapters across the US and Canada; national programming that includes the annual luncheon, Leadership Forum, fellowships, the Speakers Bureau, and webinar series; and a growing grassroots network of more than 25,000 participants. The organization is supported through hundreds of volunteer hours and the generous contributions of individuals and corporate partners. For more information about WRISE, visit www.wrisenergy.org.
About GRID Alternatives
Renewable energy can drive economic growth and environmental benefits in communities most impacted by underemployment, pollution and climate change. GRID Alternatives is a leader in helping economic and environmental justice communities get clean, affordable renewable energy, transportation, and jobs. Internationally, our energy access work is lighting up off-grid communities in Nepal, Nicaragua, and Mexico. GRID envisions a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone.