About
Originally scheduled for March 24, this event will now take place on Tues., March 31 from 3-3:45 p.m., when it will be offered virtually due to precautions around the COVID-19 virus. REGISTER HERE to receive URL and instructions on how to access the event.
Across the energy sector, women make up less than 30% of the workforce, but that is changing as more young women enter the sector and as the industry makes a concentrated effort to increase gender diversity. What's it like to be a woman working in energy? What can both male and female executives do to encourage more diversity in the sector? And what skills make any young professional well prepared for a career in energy?
Industry leaders and innovators will address those questions (and more!) in a panel discussion from 3-3:45 p.m. Eastern on March 31. We are still finalizing all panelists but confirmed speakers will include:
Arsheen Allam (MBA '17) is founder and CEO of GOLeafe, where is she is responsible for the development of GOLeafe's innovative graphene-based products and the company's strategic vision and execution. She is also the founder of CNanoz, a company focused on developing water purification systems based on nanotechnology; CNanoz currently supplies carbon nano filters to schools, hotels, and water plants, and plans on moving into the consumer market as well. In 2019, Allam was named to Forbes's prestigious "30 under 30 in Energy" list. She regularly speaks and facilitates workshops on topics including leadership, STEM, entrepreneurship, and women and minorities in business. Allam earned a master's degree in business administration from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and a bachelor's degree in materials science and engineering from North Carolina State University.
Olivia Eskew (MEM'18) is a policy and strategy analyst at Cypress Creek Renewables, where she focuses on national renewable energy policy. In her previous role as a sustainability associate at Cypress Creek, she focused on corporate social responsibility. As a North Carolina chapter leader for Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE), Eskew strives to support the group's goals of building community through fostering relationships across the state to facilitate changes in our energy future. She earned a master's degree in environmental management from Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment and a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of North Carolina.
Lauren Shum (E'17) is VP of engineering at Sunforge, which makes solar charge controllers for off-grid applications. Previously, Lauren led sensor development for Dean Kamen's initiative to manufacture human organs. She has a bachelor's degree in electrical and computer engineering from Duke University, where she ran the Duke Smart Home, researched organic photovoltaics with Dr. Adrienne Stiff-Roberts, and was active on the Energy Initiative Student Advisory Committee. A lifelong environmentalist, she is committed to leveraging technology in the service of society.
(Moderator) Katie Kross - Managing Director, EDGE Center at the Fuqua School of Business
The panel discussion is open to all, including energy professionals as well as students, faculty, and staff at universities. People of all genders are encouraged to join this virtual event.
Organized by the Center for Energy, Development, and the Global Environment (EDGE) at the Fuqua School of Business and by the Duke University Energy Initiative.