WRISE launches important effort that would lead to more diversity on conference panels

New York — Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainability (WRISE) launched its new Speakers Bureau.

The Speakers Bureau is a public, searchable database of qualified speakers willing to speak, present and engage on renewable energy topics. The database will be an invaluable resource for conference and event organizers seeking to bring more diverse perspectives into the public discourse on renewable energy.

“For over a decade, WRISE has received requests for speaker recommendations. Recently conversations around conference diversity have picked up and those requests have increased exponentially. In order to continue to innovate and evolve, it remains critical that we hear different ideas and perspectives. Renewable energy conference organizers need to lead by example and showcase all of the amazing thinkers across our community. There are no excuses for having an all-male or all-white lineup – we know better and we can do better,” said Kristen Graf, Executive Director of Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy. “Representation matters in every aspect of our industry and I hope the Speakers Bureau becomes a go-to resource for conference organizers looking for talented speakers to elevate their programs.”

The Speakers Bureau is launching with over 150 qualified individuals representing different technologies, markets, companies, and professional expertise and will be regularly updated with new speakers. The database is searchable by expertise including technical and non-technical topics related to solar and wind energy, renewable energy policy and sustainability.

As part of this initiative, WRISE is expanding the pool of qualified speakers on renewable energy and sustainability topics through a speaker training program. Those who wish to advance and practise their public speaking skills can sign up through the Speakers Bureau platform.