January is National Mentoring Month, a time to celebrate the relationships that shape careers, build confidence, and strengthen our community. Babson College Professor of Management Wendy Murphy, whose research focuses on leadership, mentorship, and gender, said in a conversation published by “The New York Times” that mentoring programs have historically been one of the most effective tools for closing the gender gap in career advancement. 

“When we look at relationships and we do network analyses, you see that women have a lack of access to key influencers in the broader network compared to their male colleagues, on balance…Women have fewer role models and fewer people they identify with, not just because of lack of gender, but because of differences in style and background,” Murphy said. 

This is especially pronounced in the energy and environmental sectors, where career paths are rarely linear. Mentorship plays a critical role in building resiliency, creating opportunity, and empowering women+ to imagine possibilities beyond what they see. With 74% of mothers with children under 18 working outside the home and many households reliant on women’s income, the health of our economy and families depends on our progress leveling the playing field. 

This month, we invited NEWIEE members to share their mentorship stories—and you delivered! 

Quieting the negative voices, and finding confidence 

Alyssa Gutner-Davis, Enel 

Senior Program Manager 

For Alyssa Gutner-Davis, mentorship was a lifeline during a critical transition from graduate school to her role at Enel. Her mentor, Laurel Boivin, a member of our Board of Directors and co-chair of our Membership Committee and NH Chapter, helped her navigate the emotional and practical challenges of job hunting, offering interview tips, encouragement, and strategies to clearly communicate her value. 

“Her support and words of wisdom helped me feel more confident in my abilities.” 

Beyond professional guidance, Laurel introduced Alyssa to mindfulness practices that helped her push past self-criticism and focus on her strengths—a lesson Alyssa continues to draw upon today. Their connection has evolved into a lasting friendship rooted in trust and shared growth. 

Finding confidence, and a new career path 

Amrutha Shandilya 

Environmental Engineer, MBA-Sustainability and Environmental Compliance, and preschool paraprofessional 

For Amrutha Shandilya, mentorship provided both practical guidance and renewed confidence during a pivotal career transition. Through the NEWIEE Mentorship Program, Amrutha was paired with Megan Gell, whose support extended far beyond scheduled meetings. 

“Her guidance, encouragement, and generosity have truly made a difference in my professional growth.” 

From resume reviews and mock behavioral interviews to thoughtful conversations about monthly topics—and even carving out time for an in-person meetup—Megan consistently showed up. She also introduced Amrutha to Climatebase, an exclusive climate-focused job platform, which led Amrutha to complete the Climatebase Fellowship. 

Amrutha now feels confident answering STAR-method interview questions and delivering a compelling elevator pitch, skills that are essential as she continues her journey in the environmental field. 

Opening doors, and paying it forward 

Lily Sylvester, Avangrid 

Senior Analyst, Business Performance 

Lily Sylvester’s mentorship journey started her senior year of college in 2020, when she volunteered with NEWIEE’s Website Committee under the leadership of Kelly Smith, now a member of our Board of Directors and Governance Chair. The experience proved career-defining—Kelly introduced Lily to the offshore wind industry and helped her secure an internship shortly after graduation. 

“Kelly’s support and mentorship was instrumental in launching my career in renewable energy!” 

One of Lily’s takeaways from formal and informal mentorship: the importance of self-advocacy. Today, as a mentor herself and co-chair of our Website Committee, Lily’s committed to passing that lesson on to the next generation of young women entering the industry. 

Shared growth, and the power of sisterhood 

Nancy Kaplan, Eversource Energy 

Assistant General Counsel 

Nancy Kaplan brings a mentor’s perspective shaped by experience. Early in her environmental law career, women mentors were rare, and navigating being an environmental lawyer with motherhood in a male-dominated profession was challenging. When NEWIEE’s Mentorship Program launched, Nancy became involved from the start. She’s since mentored four remarkable young women over the years, including Navpreet Natt, who she continues to champion nearly five years later. What began as mentor-mentee meetings evolved into a deep, mutually supportive sisterhood that extends across all aspects of their lives. 

For Nancy, mentorship is reciprocal. 

“Being in a mentorship relationship has allowed me the invaluable opportunity to have a supportive influence on another woman’s professional and personal life, while benefiting from her insight and perspective, which has helped me grow and have a deeper understanding of the challenges she, and many others who are earlier in their careers, are experiencing in this day and age.” 

The insights she values and shares most: 

1. Identify what you’re passionate about and find ways to integrate it into your career 

1. Know your value and don’t let others define it for you 

1. Kindness and empathy are strengths, not weaknesses that make our workplaces more human 

What happens when someone believes in you 

Terri Poussard, HDR 

Vice President, Power Generation Practice Lead 

Throughout her more than 30-year career, Terri Poussard has benefited from many mentors—but one relationship stands out. Kenny Rogers (no, not the singer), a former supervisor and company president, gave her an opportunity to pivot into consulting early in her career. Kenny’s mentorship didn’t stop there. 

For more than 25 years, he’s continued to encourage Terri to stretch beyond what she thought was possible for herself, offering opportunities to learn, lead, and grow. Most importantly, he included her in client meetings, leadership discussions, and decision-making spaces that shaped her professional trajectory. 

Terri credits Kenny and all her mentors with teaching her the value of connection. 

“Strong relationships, whether with your coworkers, employees, clients or other business associates are important because they not only influence growth, opportunities and resiliency, but also how you feel about your job or career. They feed your confidence and overall well-being, and that will sustain a long fulfilling and happy career.” 

Mentorship matters all year long 

Whether it’s building confidence, opening doors, fostering inclusion, or creating lifelong connections, these stories remind us that mentorship is transformative. During National Mentoring Month and all year round, NEWIEE remains committed to cultivating these relationships and supporting professionals at every stage of their journey. 

Whether you’re seeking guidance, ready to give back, or both, mentorship has the power to shape careers and the future of our industry. Interested in getting involved? Learn more about our mentorship opportunities and join us in building a more connected, supportive energy and environmental community. 

Also of Interest

• Join NEWIEE
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• NEWIEE Jobs Board