NREL staff part of US team taking over leadership of Women in Geothermal
Kate Young, NREL (source: WING)
Carlo Cariaga
16 Aug 2019
NREL's Kate Young and Caity Smith will be part of the US team who will take over chairmanship of the Women in Geothermal (WING) organization starting 2020.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Program Manager Kate Young and Operations Manager Caity Smith have been selected to be members of the US team who will be the new global chair of the Women in Geothermal (WING). The US team, consisting of 10 women and “WINGmen” from the geothermal industry, will start their chairmanship at the 2020 World Geothermal Conference in Reykjavik, Iceland.
WING is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the education, professional development, and advancement of women in the geothermal industry. Young and Smith have been involved with WING since the 2013 Geothermal Resources Council 2013 Annual Meeting where the idea for the organization was first developed.
The US team has big plans for WING once their chairmanship starts. These include the development and implementation of anti-harassment policies within the industry, supporting organizations interesting in promoting gender equality, and identifying ways for different WING teams to collaborate with each other.
Aside from the need to support female professionals in the geothermal industry, Young also recognizes the importance of “WINGmen” as allies. “This isn’t an organization just for women, and it isn’t about empowering women over men. Studies have shown, conclusively, that having equality benefits everyone by creating a stronger work force, stronger work products, stronger companies, stronger industries, and stronger economies.” affirmed Young.
