How can the energy efficiency industry support DEI initiatives? How can you ensure that your organization is an inclusive space? As a membership organization, and a central hub for the Midwest’s energy efficiency industry, MEEA will provide a platform for four conversations. You will walk away with thoughtful feedback and tangible items to work on with yourself, your organization and how you operate within the energy efficiency industry. These are not organizational Diversity, Equity and Inclusion trainings. They will frame DEI in the energy efficiency industry and begin conversations.

Past Events: Workshop 1

DEI in Our Organizations and the Role We Play

Tuesday, June 15, 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Facilitator: Scott Alan Davis, SEEL, LLC

The purpose of the first workshop is to establish an understanding of why we are here, both in historic terms within the industry and in terms of the workshop series today. After we gain this understanding, we will look internally to define action steps that we can work on individually and within our own organizations to advance equity, diversity and inclusivity.

This workshop will be facilitated by Scott Alan Davis, Director of Operations at SEEL, LLC. Scott is a native Detroiter who has dedicated his career to community development and capacity building. Scott has national certifications from the National Training Institute as a trainer in Conflict Resolution, Diversity, Multiculturalism and facilitation and is officially certified as a DEI Professional and Leader by the DEI Council. 

If you were unable to join this first session and would like the resources, please email membership@mwalliance.org. 

Workshop 2

How We Can Work to Diversify the EE Industry

Tuesday, July 13, 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Facilitator: Ben Passer, Fresh Energy and Kristol Simms, Ameren Illinois

The second workshop will look at the wider energy efficiency industry and the different contributing factors or policies of what can be done to encourage lasting change around diversity, equity and inclusion. Creating pipelines into the industry by encouraging workforce development and supporting diverse suppliers within the supply chain are two important ways to diversify the industry. It is also imperative that customer outreach is equitable and inclusive. We will discuss different approaches to ensure that customers feel like they are heard and not overlooked.

If you were unable to join the second session and would like the resources, please email membership@mwalliance.org. 

Workshop 3

Hear from Diverse Business Enterprises

Tuesday, August 10, 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Moderator: Selena Worster Walde, Erthe Energy Solutions

Panelists: Lynn Roy, Brightline Group; Michael De La Cruz, Group O; Carla Walker-Miller, Walker Miller Energy Services

This will be a facilitated discussion on how to navigate starting your own business with questions from the audience. The panel will be made up of different types of diverse businesses who will talk through why they started their businesses, how they established themselves within the industry and what they did to build business. 

If you were unable to join the third session and would like the resources, please email membership@mwalliance.org. 

Workshop 4

Next Steps

Tuesday, September 14, 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Facilitators: Nick Dreher and Jen Rhodes, MEEA

This workshop will be focused on active feedback. We will talk through what we heard are challenges or hurdles within the industry and within our organizations in the DEI space. We will talk about what tangible items can be established or created to encourage DEI across the EE industry. 

If you were unable to join the fourth and final session and would like the resources, please email membership@mwalliance.org.