For Immediate Release:
May 16, 2017

New name reflects expansion of programs beyond wind energy to advance women across the renewable energy spectrum

Brooklyn, NY: Women of Wind Energy (WoWE) announced a new name and logo today during a live, virtual event held before hundreds of supporters across the country. Under the new name, Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE), the organization will continue to build on over 10 years of success working to advance women across the renewable energy spectrum.

In order to fully live the organizational mission to support a robust renewable energy economy, as WRISE (pronounced rise), the group is opening its programs and services to go beyond its wind energy legacy.

In response to ongoing conversations with our stakeholders and recent industry trends, WRISE will continue to work with the wind industry, but will broaden our scope to include solar, energy storage, energy efficiency, energy management, and power marketers focused on renewables, transmission, distributed generation, and smart grid technologies.

“It is an exciting time as the renewable energy sector grows and women enter the workforce in increasing numbers,” said Kristen Graf, WRISE Executive Director. “We look forward to working with a broader community of industry professionals to advance, connect, and empower women across various fields who are engaged in moving the world toward a renewable energy future.”

WRISE will build upon its many successes including:

• 3000+ Network participants
• 480+ One-on-one and Peer Group Mentoring participants
• 80+ Rudd Mayer Fellows and Wind at Our Backs Scholars
• 35 Chapters across the US and Canada
• 25 Awards given for Woman of the Year, Rising Star, and Champion
• 21 Webinars covering renewable energy and energy storage topics
• 7 Annual Leadership Forum events

“This is a pivotal time for the energy sector and an exciting time for our organization,” added Jennifer Martin, WRISE President and co-chair of the Stoel Rives LLP energy practice. “Working with women and men from the different technologies will allow us to fully embrace our mission to achieve a strong diversified workforce and support a renewable energy economy.”

WRISE is developing a website to support the expanded scope and direction, while keeping our mission the same and continuing to be a leading organization in this confluence of technologies.

Alongside our more than 3,000 supporters, the organization has been strongly supported by corporations that align with our mission by sponsoring a myriad of programs, or more foundationally as an overall contributor. WRISE encourages individuals to peruse our website to learn about the good work these sponsors are helping provide to our growing network of women and men.

About WRISE (formerly WoWE):
Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) formerly called Women of Wind Energy (WoWE) was founded in 2005 and promotes the education, professional development, and advancement of women to achieve a strong diversified workforce and support a renewable energy economy. WRISE is now an organization with local chapters in the US and Canada; national programming that includes the annual luncheon, leadership forum, and webinar series; and a growing grassroots network of more 4,000 women and men. The organization is supported through hundreds of volunteer hours and the generous contributions of individuals as well as corporate partners.