Women in Energy: Meet the Leaders Powering the Future
- The WW Team
- Sep 18
- 5 min read
This morning, did you:
☑️ Wake up to an alarm clock
☑️ Turn on the lights
☑️ Start your car
☑️ Log onto the internet to read an article? (We've got you there!)
We use energy every single day. But how often do we stop to think about who is making it all work?
Behind the grids, policies, startups, and innovations—women are a key part of the charge.
In this special edition of Wednesday Women, we're shining a light on the powerhouse leaders transforming the energy industry. From clean tech founders and policy experts to oil & gas engineers and infrastructure innovators, these women are leaders in one of the world’s most vital—and rapidly changing—industries.
And they’re doing it in a field where they remain vastly underrepresented. According to the International Energy Agency, women make up just 22% of the traditional energy sector workforce, and even fewer hold senior leadership roles. The numbers in renewables are slightly better, but there’s still a long way to go.
That’s why this list matters. Because representation matters. Because visibility creates opportunity. And because these women aren’t just navigating energy’s complexities—they’re defining its future.
Whether you're looking for your next keynote speaker, podcast guest, expert panelist, or simply want to diversify your network—these are the women to watch (and follow).
This series is made possible by our generous partner, BrandActive—the partner organizations trust to plan, budget, and execute complex rebrands with precision. Whether from an M&A, spin off or brand architecture change, BrandActive helps companies align teams, control costs, and ensure brand consistency across every touchpoint.
These are the women lighting the way—brilliant minds who are not only powering our present but building a smarter, more sustainable future.
💡Danielle Marquis, Esq., VP of Marketing & Solutions at Franklin Energy
💡Zolaikha Strong, VP of Policy & Regulatory Affairs at Generac Power Systems
💡Jennifer Petrosky, Senior Director at Siemens Digital Industries Software
💡Zaynab Watan, Regional General Manager at Honeywell Energy and Sustainability Solutions
⚡️ Jess Brand, Director of Sales Strategy & Planning at NRG Energy
⚡️ Sri Kulidindi, IT PMO Lead at Sempra Infrastructure.
⚡️ Lindsay Irick, Senior Manager of Brand Strategy & Customer Management at NRG Energy
⚡️ Dana Dohse, Vice President of Marketing at EnergyHub.
⚡️ Sonya Gustafson, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer at Distill Energy.
👋 Crystal Marie McDaniels, Senior Manager of Business (Non-Residential) Marketing at Duke Energy Corporation
👋 Josette Souza, Growth Marketing Manager at DC Byte
👋 Ashley Colquitt, M. Ed., Community Engagement Specialist at Diamondback Energy
👋 Maeve Lynskey, Senior Marketing Manager at Siemens Digital Industries Software
👋 Renae McBride, Senior Industry Marketing Manager for Energy, Chemicals and Infrastructure at Siemens Digital Industries Software
Wednesday Women features extraordinary leaders with our special weekly features - and the Women in Energy who we featured on the first and last days of the series are definitely worth learning more about:
See Teri's feature post and read about this leader who doesn’t just navigate complexity—she turns it into competitive advantage. As Chief Compliance Officer at Phillips 66, she plays a critical role in helping the company move the world forward through energy, ethics, and innovation. With a career spanning senior roles at HF Sinclair, The Warranty Group, and 14 impactful years at Eli Lilly, Teri brings deep expertise in compliance, legal strategy, and global risk. But what truly sets her apart is her passion for developing talent and building high-performing, empowered teams.
Her advice for those just starting out?
“Every step, whether marked by success or setback, shapes who you become and enriches the story you carry forward.”
See Jillian's feature post to read about this true force in the future of clean energy, leading Chart Industries at the forefront of global sustainability. As CEO and President, she’s steering innovation across clean power, water, food, and industrials—proving that leadership at the Nexus of Clean™ requires both bold vision and grounded values.
With a background in finance and operations from top-tier companies like Honeywell, Sony, and Dover Corporation, Jillian brings both depth and range to the executive table. She also serves on influential boards like the National Association of Manufacturers and the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum. Her decorated career includes titles like World LNG Executive of the Year and Trailblazer of the Year, but what stands out most is her mindset.
Her advice to rising professionals?
“Kindness should be at the foundation of everything you do.”
See the post Featuring Katie - the kind of leader who sees risk not as a red flag—but as a roadmap. At Duke Energy, she’s guiding the company’s climate resilience strategy with vision and clarity, helping redefine what it means to lead responsibly in a changing world.
Under Katie’s leadership, Duke Energy launched one of the most comprehensive Climate Risk and Adaptation Studies in the U.S., proactively investing in infrastructure upgrades like underground lines and self-healing grid technologies. Her approach is rooted in data, collaboration, and a belief that climate action is a strategic must-have—not a compliance check.
Her message to fellow leaders?
“Climate resilience isn’t a compliance checkbox — it’s a strategic imperative.”
See Kim's featured post and read how she is shaping the future of energy for millions at the head of Georgia Power—and doing it with a rare mix of technical expertise, strategic foresight, and grounded leadership. A champion of innovation, STEM education, and smart energy policy, Kim advocates for bold infrastructure investments that ensure a future that's not just powered—but powered responsibly. Her work strikes the balance between reliability, affordability, and sustainability—a trio that’s never been more vital.
Her leadership philosophy?
“Have a great attitude. When opportunity knocks, open the door. Everything happens for a reason. Check your moral compass regularly.”
See Karen's featured post and read about this powerhouse of innovation whose career bridges the worlds of advanced technology and pragmatic energy strategy. With over ten patents to her name (yes, ten!), Karen’s leadership is as technical as it is transformational.
Known for her no-nonsense approach to the energy transition, Karen champions an “all options on the table” mindset—embracing everything from renewables to nuclear, all viewed through the lens of the energy trilemma: security, affordability, and sustainability.
Her take on modern leadership?
“Confidence gets attention, but it does not earn trust.”
How You Can Support Women In Energy
One of the best ways to support executive women leading the way in the various fields of Energy is by amplifying their voices. Some ways you can do this include:
Following these women on social platforms and engaging with their content
Reading their insights and interviews, and inviting them to speak on panels
Advocating for increased diversity in hiring within privacy companies
Learn More About Our Sponsor: BrandActive
This special series featuring extraordinary Women in Energy is brought to you by our partner, BrandActive—the partner organizations trust to plan, budget, and execute complex rebrands with precision. Whether from an M&A, spin off or brand architecture change, BrandActive helps companies align teams, control costs, and ensure brand consistency across every touchpoint. They’ve helped companies like Citigroup, GE, and Constellation Energy navigate high-stakes transformations with clarity, confidence, and zero chaos—making them a true powerhouse behind the scenes.
Interested in supporting Wednesday Women and seeing more executive women features?
To stay up-to-date with everything Wednesday Women, follow us on LinkedIn, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, and check out The Ripple—our podcast featuring executive women in leadership.
