Rising together: Weaving dialogue across diverse perspectives and voices
NEWIEE Rising Professional co-chairs, Abigail Hasenfus and Chandreyi Datta, speak on what shapes and inspires the group
The Rising Professionals Committee is more than just a networking platform. It is a community that brings together professionals across a plethora of career stages, from those early along their journey to others with years of experience and insight to share. This combination of perspectives is what gives the group its strength, creating a platform for mutual learning, open exchange, and meaningful conversations.
Across our careers, many of us can resonate with the feeling of entering unfamiliar territory and finding our way as we go. This committee forges a collective spirit: a group of people showing up for each other, sharing experiences in real time, and mastering how to navigate an industry that keeps on evolving rapidly. We have come to realize that building confidence and carving your niche in this landscape is not immediate; it develops through conversation, reflection, and community.
We’re all advancing our careers during a moment when the energy and environmental industries are facing uncertainty and opposition. That can feel daunting, but it also makes this moment meaningful. We’re not just observing change, we’re experiencing it together, learning how to navigate it, and in many ways helping shape what comes next. There’s something truly powerful about operating in a rapidly evolving landscape, even if that results in stressful Monday mornings.
What stands out most is the sense of collective resilience that runs through this group. People are not stepping back in the face of complexity; they are leaning in, asking questions, offering perspectives, and supporting one another. That spirit shifts growth from something individual to something shared, where progress is built through dialogue and collaboration rather than isolation.
For the two of us, operating in two different realms within the renewable energy space, it has been a privilege to witness the power of community-building and authentic connection. Beyond professional titles and milestones, what continues to resonate most is the ability to learn from one another and grow through shared experiences. The most valuable conversations are often the ones that broaden perspective and create space for honest exchange.
Within that context, the committee fosters conversations that naturally span a wide range of topics, from sector trends and work environment dynamics to career uncertainty, leadership, personal responsibilities and managing change in an increasingly AI-driven world. In all this, what remains constant is the importance of being heard, understood, and supported by others who are on their own evolving paths.
Just as important, the diversity strengthens dialogues and creates opportunities for informal mentoring, fresh perspectives, and mutual learning that serves all participants. It is not defined by a single career phase, but by mutual commitment to engage and contribute.
Going forward, the goal is to continue building a space that develops with its members rather than being restricted by structure. We want it to be flexible, relevant, and responsive to what people find valuable. Whether someone joins regularly or occasionally, the intention is to ensure that there is always a place for them to connect, contribute, and feel part of the conversation.
We also hope to continue expanding opportunities for in-person engagement through meetups, events, and gatherings that reflect the spirit of the broader NEWIEE community. It was wonderful connecting with many of you at the NEWIEE Gala, and we are grateful to everyone who has helped shape and support this group so far.
Ultimately, the intention is to further nurture a sense of authentic camaraderie, one where people feel comfortable reaching out for guidance, sharing ideas, and supporting one another irrespective of career stages. Because while we may individually tread diverse paths, we live and breathe within a shared ecosystem, while learning and growing symbiotically.
Written by
Abigail Hasenfus
Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources
Chandreyi Datta
Solect Energy
© 2026 New England Women in Energy and the Environment (NEWIEE). NEWIEE is a non-profit, tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
