'Women In Energy' Inspires

The recently concluded Women In Energy conference put on by the Jamaica Public Service was nothing short of inspirational for entrepreneurs and other women who were in attendance.

The two-day event held on March 10 and 11 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, was the first of it's kind to take place in the Caribbean, and made a positive impact on those in the field of energy, while tackling overall female empowerment.

Day one saw scores of women registering, mingling, and indulging in several savoury and sweet treats - before it was time for the main event - the presentation by President and CEO of JPS Kelly Tomblin.

Tomblin started the formal proceedings by informing everyone that the event was not a conference but a conversation. This was something that the other women emphasised. Tomblin's presentation was on 'Finding a Voice and Doing Power Differently as Women'.

She captivated her audience with her compelling and interactive presentation, noting that, as women, we need to learn, inspire, and connect what we desire. Not only should we seek our passion, but we should raise awareness and build consciousness within our respective industries, while recognising and understanding the power of 'I am' under the strength of a woman. "We cannot be an industry plagued by lack of diversity. We need to accept our strength and make an agreement to always do power differently," she stated.

Following her was Stephen Morgan, who explored the new utility business model of the global energy landscape. Joining him in a panel discussion with the audience on the current state of our energy and economy were Dr Ruth Potopsingh, associate vice-president of sustainable energy at the University of Technology; Camille Rowe, manager regulatory and tariff design, JPS; Eleanor Jones, managing direct of Environmental Solutions Limited; and Hillary Alexander, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology.

Then the mood shifted from promises to action, with facilitator Carol O'Reilly of Redwood and Company, while Tanya Meck, executive vice-president and managing director of Global Strategy Group, carried the baton with Women Leading Differently. The panellists included Kelly Tomblin; Samantha Chantelle, executive director of Digicel Foundation; Odeth Reynolds, vice-president of human resources and environmental health and safety, Jamaica Energy Partners; Chorvelle Johnson, president and CEO of Proven Wealth; and Ava Tomlin, regional director of BMR Wind Jamaica Limited. Monique Clarke, attorney-at-law at GB Energy took home the gold with the topic 'Playing High and Playing Low'.

Day two focused on addressing climbing the corporate ladder and tapping into our innate power of innovation and leadership. Among the presenters for the day were Dr Nsombi Jaja, certified management consultant; certified dream builder coach and inspirational speaker; Mariame McIntosh Robinson, president and CEO of First Global Bank; Tishan Lee, head of marketing for JPS; Rochelle Cameron, vice-president of legal and regulatory affairs at FLOW Jamaica; and Dr Malaika Masson, energy specialist at Jamaica country office, Inter-American Development Bank, among others. All in all, doing power differently engaged the audience, sparked interest, brought up several debates, and was ultimately, a successful 'conversation'.