6th Annual Leaders in Energy Green Jobs Forum – Jobs for a Low-Carbon, Circular Economy

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Thursday, August 22nd, 4:30 – 9 pm

(PLUS Green Career and Networking Workshops from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm).

Conducted by Leaders in Energy (LE) and hosted by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

You will:

Learn about opportunities for green jobs in the Metropolitan DC Region
Get tips from Leaders in Energy members who have landed or created green jobs.
Meet exhibitors from companies and organizations who are hiring and meet green tech/clean energy educational organizations offering training and certifications for continued career growth.
Connect with others working in the energy, sustainability, and environmental fields (or who are seeking to transition into these sectors) at one of our most popular events!
Advance YOUR Career by learning new skills and insights by attending our Green Career and Networking Workshops!

Green Jobs Forum Agenda 4:30 – 6:00 pm Exhibitors – including companies and educators 6:00 – 8:15 pm Panels 8:15 – 9:00 pm Exhibitors and Networking

Plus Workshops to Advance Your Career 8:30 – 11:30 am Green Career 1.0 Workshop 12:15 – 1:15 pm Networking Workshop– 1:30 – 4:30 pm Green Career 2.0 Workshop

Register here to become an exhibitor or sponsor. https://conta.cc/2RtSqOv

Location: 777 North Capitol St NE, Washington, DC at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

REGISTER HERE FOR THE FORUM AND WORKSHOPS

Meet Our Forum Speakers

(More to be added!)

TOMMY WELLS -(Director, District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment)

Tommy Wells is the director of the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE). Appointed January 2015, he is chiefly responsible for protecting the environment and conserving the natural resources of the District of Columbia. Tommy’s team is comprised of approximately 300 environmental professionals collectively working to improve the quality of life for residents and the natural inhabitants of the Nation’s Capital. Most recently, Tommy served as the DC Councilmember representing Ward 6—a position he held since 2006. During his time on Council, he garnered broad support for his efforts to make the District livable and walkable for all.

Known for his neighborhood-focused development, Tommy championed efforts to ensure availability of public transit, including the construction of new streetcar lines and the expansion of the DC Circulator. As Chair of the DC Council Committee on Transportation and the Environment, he worked to double the city’s Capital Bikeshare program. In 2009, Tommy crafted The Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act of 2009, to implement $0.05 fee on disposable bags. This landmark legislation prompted thousands of District residents to curb the use of plastic bags and instead opt for reusable, green alternatives. Seventy-five percent of DC residents reported a decrease in their use of disposable bags once the bill took effect on January 1, 2010. The legislation also established a fund to restore District water bodies, including the Anacostia River; support the distribution of reusable bags in the District; install trash traps; and provide environmental education for District students. These and other efforts, championed by Tommy, have helped position the District as a model for sustainable green living for jurisdictions nationwide.

A passionate innovator and student of cutting edge solutions, Tommy earned his law degree from the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University in 1991 and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota in 1983.

EMILY YATES is an Founder + Principal of Urban Revolution Group, Emily Yates is working to help cities position themselves as globally competitive by utilizing a systems approach to develop strategies, projects and programs that exist within the intersection of sustainability, technology, and economic development. Most recently, Emily was Deputy Director with Envision Charlotte where she was responsible for leading the development of the Circular Charlotte strategy, which made Charlotte the first city in the US to have a citywide circular economy strategy, in addition to other local programming that created a smarter, more sustainable Charlotte.

Emily’s career work has focused on the intersection of economic development, smart and sustainable cities, and civic engagement. She has held a variety of positions in Europe and North America, including urban planning positions with both the District of Columbia and the city of Cleveland planning offices. Emily was a recipient of the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt German Chancellor/ Bundeskanzler Fellowship, which funded a year of research focused on German approaches to the implementation of sustainability policy and climate change adaptation in brownfield development. Emily holds a Bachelors of Science in Landscape Architecture from Arizona State University. She is a member of the Emerging Leaders in Energy and Environmental Policy (ELEEP) Network.

Green Career Workshop 1.0: What’s Your Green Career Plan? (8:30 – 11:30 am)

Our Green Career Workshop will provide you with insights on your career strengths and preferences and how these can be tailored for application to the new “green” economy, e,g, clean energy, sustainability, circular economy, resiliency, etc. It provides experiential activities designed to guide you in developing an actionable career plan. Registration includes a workbook with exercises and resources.

In this workshop you will: – Complete activities that guide you in identifying your core career assets – your strengths, skills, abilities, and knowledge – that you can offer a potential employer – Begin to develop a career plan appropriate for your career level – Network with fellow LERCPA members who can be a career resource for you – Engage in group discussion about the context around your career in the Green Economy – Review useful resources

We will network with others about our mutual career journeys, focus on what inspires you about the Green Economy and the marketplace needs/opportunities right now, discuss your work values as they relate to your career needs, begin to develop a career plan, and identify the next steps you need to take on your career goals.

INSTRUCTOR: BETH OFFENBACKER, Ph.D., is the Director of Training and Development for Leaders in Energy. She has more than 25 years of experience in training, coaching, talent development, engagement, community relations, marketing, and project management experience. Beth’s core expertise is in developing and implementing talent management and development programs for emerging, established, and senior-level professionals. Beth has taught a number of green career workshops as well as the Green Career Momentum program for Leaders in Energy.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications at the State University of New York at Brockport and a master’s degree in public communications at American University. Her doctorate is from Virginia Tech’s Center for Public Administration and Policy. Beth is also the Founder and Principle of Waterford, Inc. Waterford’s mission is to create stronger, more successful companies, nonprofits, and communities.

Fear is Your Copilot: Networking in Washington DC (12:15 – 1:15 pm)

Description: Networking. You’ve been told its so important to landing that next job, the right internship, or access to in-demand people. But where do you even begin? How can I understand this process? And why does just thinking about a room full of strangers in professional dress make me so nervous?! This session will tackle these questions and more with a balance of theory, strategies, and group participation. Learn how to beat the stress and thrive in these social situations. Feel free to bring your lunch! And business cards.

We will network with others about our mutual career journeys, focus on what inspires you as a Green Leader and the marketplace needs/opportunities right now, and identify the next steps you need to take on your career goals.

This workshop is offered by DC Green Drinks.

INSTRUCTOR: SPENCER SCHECHT, is an early-career climate and energy professional serving as the Member Experience Manager at the Smart Electric Power Alliance. Spencer spent two years at the DC Sustainable Energy Utility helping some of the largest institutions in the nation’s capital adopt energy efficiency measures. He has also worked on programs with The World Bank and The Natural Resource Defense Council around renewable energy domestically and abroad.

Spencer holds a B.S. in biological sciences from the University of Maryland, College Park, an M.A. in International Affairs from the School of International Service at American University, as well as an M.A. in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development from the University for Peace in Costa Rica.

Green Career Workshop 2.0: What’s the Best “Fit” for Your Career Path? (1:30 – 4:30 pm)

This workshop builds on the insights and practices from the Leaders in Energy Green Career Workshop and we encourage you to take this workshop as a prerequisite, although it is not required. Participants will be asked to bring their Green Career Plan, developed in the Green Career Workshop 1.0, as a foundation for the Green Career 2.0 workshop.

This workshop provides experiential activities designed to guide you in the next step on your actionable career plan. In this workshop you will:

– Identify your specific area or areas of specialization as a Green Leader – Complete activities that guide you in identifying the technical, managerial, and individual leadership competencies – the knowledge, skills, and abilities – that you need to be successful in your area or areas of specialty – Develop, or further hone, a strategy for moving your career along your chosen career path, based on your career level – Identify how to assess potential employers on a five-part scale for “fit” with your career path – Network with fellow Green Leaders who can be a career resource for you – Engage in group discussion about the context around your career as a Green Leader – Review useful resources

INSTRUCTOR: BETH OFFENBACKER, Ph.D., (see bio in above Green Career Workshop 1.0)

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