WRISE and GRID Alternatives announce winners of solar fellowship
The eight aspiring solar professionals selected will attend RE+ in Las Vegas
Brooklyn, NY — Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) and GRID Alternatives today announced the 2023 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 solar installation and design, as well as college and graduate students studying renewable energy and related fields. The fellowship offers a free WRISE membership, virtual education and networking sessions, mentoring opportunities, and covers the cost to attend RE+ 2023.
Meet the 2023 Rising Solar Fellows:
- Shubhi Arora (she/her), Columbia University, MA, Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy
- Sydney Collins (she/her), University of Connecticut, BS, Environmental Science
- Shalom Iboh (she/her), University of Florida, PhD, Chemical Engineering
- Rachael Kohler (she/her), Binghamton University, MS, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Benise Limon (she/her), University of California, Santa Barbara, BS, Environmental Studies
- Maitreyee Marathe (she/her), University of Wisconsin-Madison,PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Camille Minns (she/her), Tufts University, MS, Environmental Policy and Planning
- Zita Ngagoum Ndalloka (she/her), University of Massachusetts Lowell, PhD, Energy Engineering
“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.
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.
About WRISE
Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) was founded in 2005 and accelerates 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 15,000 participants. The organization is supported through hundreds of volunteer hours and the generous contributions of individuals as well as corporate partners. www.wrisenergy.org