Meet our Accomplished 2024 Mentors!

Hannah Webb

Lead Renewables Consultant, Xodus
[MA – Boston, MA – Springfield, RI – Providence, NH – Nashua]

Professional Skills: Economic Development and Program Management

Bio: Hannah Webb is a Lead Renewables Consultant with Xodus and is based in their Boston Hub. Through her roles in economic development and international trade, Hannah has experience in supporting clients to grow their global business and expand into new or existing markets. She’s advised clients on designing market entry strategies, evaluating market intelligence, building meaningful business networks, identifying partners, and engaging the local supply chain. Her work in offshore wind includes bringing together various stakeholders across government, supply chain, developers, non-profits, and industry to learn from the advancements of the global industry and integrate these into the US offshore wind market. Hannah leverages her skills in communications and program management to engage a wide network of key stakeholders and provide clients with the insights they need to make strategic decisions for their business.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: My superpower is leading with empathy and connection, which can be challenging to maintain in business environments and money-driven markets.

Grace Watters

Clean Technologies Project Manager, Eversource Energy
[MA – Boston, MA – Springfield, RI – Providence, CT – Hartford]

Professional Skills: Project Management

Bio: I recently started a new position at Eversource working as a clean technologies project manager in the gas division exploring projects in geothermal, hydrogen, and renewable natural gas. I am currently working towards an MBA while I work full time. I started off at Eversource as a DG Interconnections and Transmission Project planner where I was able to see the big picture of how the energy landscape is changing for utilities and what that means for the grid. My passion for clean energy was fortified while working as a nuclear chemist at Millstone power plant for three years. While working there, I worked with the Mayor of Freetown in Sierra Leone and C40 Cities to help write their climate action plan and work on improving energy developments. I witnessed the importance of an inclusive green transition and am hoping to expand my impact on the transition in the future.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Starting off my career in a male dominated environment working at a power plant, it was hard to find other female role models in the field that I could look up to. Luckily, I discovered NEWIEE and it has truly been a life changing discovery that continues to make my life and career better. I’ve personally benefitted from the NEWIEE Mentor program and now I’m excited to give back a little bit!

Heather Sites

Counsel, Eversource Energy
[MA – Boston, MA – Springfield, RI – Providence, CT – Hartford]

Professional Skills: Legal and Engineering

Bio: I’m currently counsel at Eversource, supporting internal business clients on the Sustainability, Environmental, Real Estate, and Siting legal team. I come to my role at Eversource after almost 20 years working as an attorney, project manager, and environmental engineer on heavy civil construction projects and industrial remediation/redevelopment projects in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maryland. As general counsel at a MA heavy civil construction company, I provided legal advice on a wide range of topics, from contracts and procurement, permitting, and environmental compliance, on large state and federally funded infrastructure projects for 10 years. I also served as project manager for the siting of a municipal solid waste transfer station, navigating state and local permitting requirements while addressing local concerns over the facility. Prior to my work as an attorney, I was the project manager and environmental engineer for the remediation and redevelopment of a shipyard at a former steel plant located outside of Baltimore, MD. I brought the facility through Maryland’s brownfields redevelopment program while continuing to operate the facility as a marine industrial park, overseeing all tenant operations and facility operating permits (NPDES, air emissions, wastewater).

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: I’ve had to learn how and when I need to push to have my voice heard, especially since I’ve frequently been the only woman in the room. As an engineer and attorney, I pride myself on being able to work with business clients to understand the technical aspects of projects to ensure the best possible outcome for the business in responding to legal issues.

Carissa Sedlacek

Director of Transmission Interconnections and Solutions, Eversource Energy
[CT – Hartford, MA – Springfield]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Carissa is the Director of Transmission Interconnections and Solutions at Eversource. She has a key strategic role in the Transmission organization with the direction and oversight of all aspects of transmission interconnections, including implementing federal and state rules; negotiation with developers of wind, solar, storage and other resources; administering existing and new agreements, including financial and operational terms and conditions; and managing relationships with ISO-NE staff and third parties such as generators, utilities, public power and select large customers. Primarily, she is responsible for the early-stage development of grid solutions, including those emerging from competitive solicitations or investments to co-optimize clean energy upgrades and reliability needs. With more than 30 years of experience, Carissa is familiar with the New York and New England utility industry.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: (1) Balance – wife/mom/employee. (2) speaking up for myself in a “man’s world” of engineers. (3) confidence & learned the ability not to apologize

Ellen Miller

CEO, MPowered
[MA – Boston, NH – Nashua, Maine]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: 30 Years in the Utility Sector both as an Executive and as a Consultant. Founded MPowered in 2021 to help people develop high performing teams and an inclusive culture.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Personally, I do not believe in super power. What I believe is the unconditional ability of women to learn and grow their roles as leader is the energy and environmental industries and to leverage the help of other women to they navigate the challenges they face in their careers.

Isabel Kaubisch

Permitting Program Manager, Total Energy Renewables
[MA – Boston, MA – Springfield, RI – Providence, CT – Hartford, NH – Nashua]

Professional Skills: Permitting/Consenting, Environmental Planning, Urban Planning, Sustainability, Renewable Energies, Offshore, Onshore Wind

Bio: Isabel Kaubisch is a Permitting / Interface Manager at TotalEnergy Renewables where she lends her comprehensive permitting and strategic planning experience to develop environmental campaigns and bid proposals for Power Purchase Agreements, along with the permitting strategy and comprehensive permits to develop, survey and deploy offshore wind projects in a way that ensures marine wildlife and resources are protected, and stakeholder needs are met.

Isabel has been involved in the offshore wind industry since 2009, when she co-authored the first US study on ports and infrastructure analysis to support offshore wind development for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. She also conducted the first utility-scale navigational risk assessment for a US project. Prior to her current position, Isabel owned her own consulting firm where she provided permitting support and developed climate adaptation plans and studies for on- and offshore wind projects for various clients.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Challenges: thriving in a male dominated work environment Top superpower: resilience, endurance, stretching beyond my comfort zone

Ariel Horowitz

Deputy Director of Grid Modernization, U.S. Department of Energy
[MA – Boston]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Ariel Horowitz is the Deputy Director for Grid Modernization at the Grid Deployment Office (GDO). Prior to joining GDO, Ariel was a Senior Program Director at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), where she directed their market development work related to grid modernization, energy storage, resiliency, and clean transportation. She also oversaw much of MassCEC’s work supporting the tech-to-market transition of new energy innovations by researchers and early-stage companies. Ariel joined MassCEC from Synapse Energy Economics, where she provided expert witnessing services and analytical support to clients including U.S. EPA and state regulators.

She holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Swarthmore College.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Moving between technology and business/policy worlds; now balancing as a woman in leadership with two small kiddos

Mrunmayee Gujar

Director – Interconnections, Distributed Power, Origis Energy
[MA – Boston, north and west of Boston]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Mrunmayee Gujar is a seasoned professional dedicated to advancing the energy and environmental sectors. As Director of Interconnection at Origis Energy in Boston, she brings extensive expertise in grid integration across diverse U.S. markets. With a solid foundation in the industry, she excels in managing complex interconnection processes, collaborating with major utilities and cooperatives, and strategizing for optimized interconnection nationwide. Mrunmayee is passionate about fostering collaboration and driving positive change in the energy landscape. Certified in Negotiation Mastery and Strategy Execution, she demonstrates proficiency in project management, strategic planning, and cross-functional leadership. As a mentor in the New England Women in Energy and Environment Mentorship Program, Mrunmayee is committed to empowering the next generation of women leaders in the field, guiding them towards achieving clean energy goals while promoting a balanced quality of life through effective delegation and strategic planning

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: As a woman in energy/environment, I’ve faced and overcome various challenges, including navigating male-dominated spaces, breaking through glass ceilings, and balancing work-life demands. My top superpower in this field is resilience. Despite facing obstacles and setbacks, I’ve remained steadfast in my commitment to driving positive change in the energy and environmental sectors. I’ve learned to adapt, innovate, and persevere in the face of adversity, which has enabled me to overcome challenges and achieve success in my career. Additionally, my ability to foster collaboration, communicate effectively, and lead with empathy has been instrumental in navigating complex issues and driving impactful solutions in the ever-evolving landscape of energy and environmental sustainability.

Dana Goodman

Solar Consultant, NEC Solar
[RI – Providence, Southeast/Central MA]

Professional Skills: Sales

Bio: With 8 years of experience in the residential solar industry I have a unique perspective on the solar customer’s journey. I hold a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy and I use that background in my daily work educating the community on the importance of renewables. I’m on the board of two local environmental non-profit organizations and I volunteer with other local organizations.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: My top superpower is challenging the status quo wherever I am and standing up for what works best for my clients, my industry’s reputation and myself in a largely male dominated field, when it could be easy to be intimidated. The biggest obstacle I have overcome is insecurity about public speaking. Now I regularly give public workshops and testify for local policies that will help our industry.

Carrie Gilbert

Commissioner, Maine Public Utilities Commission
[NH – Portsmouth, ME – Portland]

Professional Skills: Energy Analysis

Bio: Carolyn C. Gilbert was appointed to the Maine Public Utilities Commission in May 2023 by Governor Janet Mills. Prior to her appointment, she was a Managing Consultant at Daymark Energy Advisors where she worked with utility commissions across the country on renewable energy policy and economics. She began her career as a consulting environmental engineer for municipal water and wastewater utilities. Commissioner Gilbert has served on the Energy Working Group of the Maine Climate Council and is the Maine Chapter Chair of New England Women in Energy and Environment (NEWIEE). Gilbert holds a Master of Business Administration from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. She completed her undergraduate work at Dartmouth College and holds bachelor’s degrees in Engineering and Environmental Earth Sciences.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: The vast majority of my career has been in consulting -first environmental and then energy. Consulting taught me to manage projects, manage clients, and how to scope out a project and execute it. I also learned how to sell work and how to promote myself as an expert.

Cindy Gage

Vice President of Client Strategy, C+C
[MA – Framingham, MA – Boston]

Professional Skills: Communications and marketing

Bio: Cindy Gage is Vice President of Client Strategy at C+C, a social good marketing firm, and serves as Board member and Marketing Chair for NEWIEE. Her background encompasses 30 years of marketing and communications on behalf of some of America’s leading brands, including McDonald’s, Oral-B, Gillette, Duracell, and Georgia Pacific. But one assignment with U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR program marked a turning point from “selling stuff” to “doing good.” Over the last 20 years, she has led strategic communications and branding initiatives for leaders in the clean energy and sustainability sector, including US EPA’s ENERGY STAR program, US DOE’s Better Plants program, Ameresco, Kwik Lok, Mass Save, Connecticut Green Bank, NEWIEE and more. A true omni-channel marketer, Cindy enjoys diving deep into client challenges and devising new ways to connect the dots between people and ideas to drive behavior change. From branding initiatives to lead generation, retail activation to public service campaigns, social media initiatives to media partnerships, she is an expert at leveraging every touch point to engage brands with people and inspire action.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: My ability to see the opportunities within the challenges.

Kristin Dupre

VP Strategy and Development, Abode Energy Management
[MA – Cape Cod, RI – Providence, MA – Boston]

Professional Skills: Leadership

Bio: Kristin is dedicated to advancing decarbonization initiatives through the creation of innovative products and the establishment of strategic alliances, enabling Abode to deliver influential solutions to utility clients. Her recent achievements include spearheading the successful execution of the Clean Heat Rhode Island program and overseeing the project management of the MassCEC Decarbonization Pathways pilot. With more than a decade of expertise in the energy sector, Kristin is a highly skilled professional well-versed in electrification, energy efficiency, demand response, and electric vehicle program development. She holds a BS in Finance from Bentley University and an MBA from Clark University.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Restarting a career after taking time off for parenting, ‘Finding my voice”, and fighting to paid equitably.

Beverly Craig

Program Director – Building Decarbonization, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
[MA – Boston]

Professional Skills: Project Management

Bio: Beverly Craig, LEED AP is a Program Manager at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, a quasi-state government agency focused on economic development to supports the state’s ambitious climate goals.  Her policy work includes the Passive House Design Challenge, Embodied Carbon state policy, a grant program for MA concrete ready mix concrete climate transparency, and centralization of retrofit content in a Building Energy Exchange coming soon to Massachusetts. Ms. Craig comes from a background of directing energy efficiency retrofits and installing renewables in affordable housing portfolios and her work has included LEED Platinum deep retrofits on three income restricted properties and one new construction LEED Platinum multifamily development. Beverly holds a BA from the University of Southern California and an MPP from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Top superpower is connecting people who should know each other and inspiring people thru public speaking. Challenge overcome- balancing work/professional life and being single mother of two boys (now grown)

Laurel Boivin

Life & Leadership Coach, Flux+Flow Professional Coaching
[NH – Nashua, NH – Portsmouth, Southern Maine]

Professional Skills: Environmental permitting and compliance, communications, community relations, government relations, leadership development, public speaking, marketing

Bio: Laurel Boivin is a life + leadership coach, podcaster, and speaker with experience in both the public sector and private sector; in legal services, government relations, municipal and community relations, corporate communications, and the electric utility industry. She worked as a paralegal at the NH Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division, and at one of the largest law firms in NH, before going to work for the largest regulated electric utility in NH and New England.

Challenges Overcome/Superpower: Learning to successfully work with and understand engineers and scientists, and to work successfully across gender and age divides.