WRISE Names Ashley Greene 2026 Kacie Peters Impact Award Recipient
From left: Melanie C. Kelly, Ashley Greene, Doseke Akporiaye and Megan Nutting at the 2026 WRISE Leadership Forum in Chicago, Illinois, where Greene received the Kacie Peters Impact Award.
Nicole Blanton
Marketing and Communications Consultant
Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE)
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Oct. 20, 2026) — Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) today announced Ashley Greene, land and real estate operations specialist at BayWa r.e. Americas, as the recipient of the 2026 Kacie Peters Impact Award. Greene received the award at the 2026 WRISE Leadership Forum, held Sept. 29-Oct. 1 in Chicago.
The award honors the legacy of Kacie Peters, a clean energy advocate who served on the WRISE board and worked to strengthen industry connections and advance inclusion in renewable energy. She also founded Solardarity, a monthly networking series that fostered industry partnerships and supported the growth of solar energy nationwide.
Greene’s selection reflects her commitment to the clean energy transition, community building and creating pathways for women and underrepresented professionals to thrive in the renewable energy industry.
In her role at BayWa r.e. Americas, Greene supports the operational work that helps renewable energy projects move forward, from land and title accuracy to compliance and cross-functional coordination. Drawing on her rural background, she prioritizes transparency, fairness and meaningful relationships with the landowners and communities whose participation is essential to successful project development.
“Every time I see those people, I see my family,” Greene said. “Being able to build that trust and make them feel safe and heard—that’s more important than anything.”
As incoming WRISE Tennessee Chapter Leader, Greene is committed to building community, elevating women in renewable energy and creating opportunities for others to enter and thrive in the industry.
“My leadership is not about authority; it is about service, clarity, and ensuring that others have the tools and support they need to succeed,” Greene said.
“Ashley Greene embodies the spirit of the Kacie Peters Impact Award. Like Kacie, she brings passion, determination and heart to advancing clean energy. Whether building trust with rural communities, building critical renewable energy projects or mentoring the next generation of women leaders, Ashley demonstrates that the energy transition is as much about people as it is about technology,” said Megan Nutting, vice president of regulatory reform at the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. “Kacie’s legacy lives on through leaders like Ashley, who are making a meaningful impact on our industry while creating pathways for others to thrive.”
Greene’s vision for the industry extends beyond her current role. She plans to attend law school and become a renewable energy attorney, using her experience in land operations and community engagement to advocate for responsible development, equitable practices and stronger protections for communities and clean energy projects.
“When we created this award, we wanted to honor Kacie’s leadership and accomplishments,” said Melanie C. Kelly, fractional CMO and co-creator of the Kacie Peters Impact Award. “Kacie understood the power of bringing people together, championing others, and creating opportunities for people to thrive. Ashley carries that same spirit forward through her commitment to building trust with communities, advocating for meaningful participation in the clean energy transition, and supporting the next generation of women in our industry. Her leadership reflects the lasting, people-centered impact this award was created to celebrate.”
For Greene, the future of clean energy depends on ensuring that the people and communities affected by renewable energy development have a meaningful voice in the process. Through her professional work and leadership with WRISE, she is helping build an industry where more people can see a place for themselves and where community voices are heard throughout project development.
“Recognizing leaders like Ashley reflects the importance of building a clean energy industry where people at every career stage can contribute, grow, and lead,” said Doseke Akporiaye, executive director of WRISE. “Ashley’s commitment to building trust with rural communities and creating opportunities for women reflects the kind of leadership that helps ensure no one is left behind. That commitment strengthens the people and communities that make up our industry. We’re proud to recognize her contributions and celebrate the example she sets for current and future clean energy leaders.”
About Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy
Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2005 to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and equitable energy future by igniting the collective power of its community. Through leadership development, mentorship, education, networking, and community-building initiatives, WRISE equips professionals at every career stage with the connections and resources to thrive while helping build a more inclusive clean energy workforce. For more information about WRISE and how to get involved, visit wrisenergy.org or contact info@wrisenergy.org.