NEW MEXICO WOMEN LEAD

IN 2024, NM WOMEN LEAD (NMWL) ORGANIZED AND HOSTED THE SECOND ANNUAL BUILDING AN ADVANCED ENERGY ECOSYSTEM IN NEW MEXICO CONFERENCE, HELD AT THE CLYDE HOTEL IN ALBUQUERQUE ON SEPTEMBER 23-24. THE EVENT SUPPORTS NMWL'S MISSION TO ADVANCE CIVIC LEADERSHIP, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT, AND INCLUSIVE PARTICIPATION IN CRITICAL STATEWIDE ISSUES-PARTICULARLY IN THE ENERGY SECTOR. THIS YEAR'S CONFERENCE DREW MORE THAN 300 REGISTERED ATTENDEES FROM ACROSS NEW MEXICO AND BEYOND, INCLUDING PROFESSIONALS FROM PRIVATE INDUSTRY, LOCAL AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS, FEDERAL AGENCIES, ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. THE PROGRAM FEATURED OVER 20 HOURS OF EDUCATIONAL CONTENT AND INCLUDED 82 SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS WHO SHARED INSIGHTS ACROSS KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS, FIRESIDE CHATS, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, AND HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS. PROGRAMMING ADDRESSED A BROAD RANGE OF ENERGY-RELATED TOPICS WITH PUBLIC BENEFIT, SUCH AS ELECTRIC GRID RESILIENCE, CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL TECHNOLOGIES, CYBERSECURITY, HYDROGEN INNOVATION, AND CLIMATE TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP. SPECIAL EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON EQUITABLE ACCESS TO ENERGY CAREER PATHWAYS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS. A STUDENT POSTER COMPETITION WAS ALSO HOSTED AS PART OF THE CONFERENCE TO ENCOURAGE YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE LEADERS IN ENERGY. IT WAS FURTHER SUPPORTED BY A PLANNING COMMITTEE AND VOLUNTEERS FROM PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS WHO CONTRIBUTED TIME AND EXPERTISE. THEIR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS ENSURED A WELL-EXECUTED EVENT THAT ADVANCED PUBLIC EDUCATION, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, AND INFORMED DIALOGUE AROUND NEW MEXICO'S CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION. BY CONVENING STAKEHOLDERS TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES AND COLLABORATE ON ACTIONABLE STRATEGIES, THE 2024 CONFERENCE MEANINGFULLY CONTRIBUTED TO NMWL'S EXEMPT PURPOSE OF FOSTERING LEADERSHIP, EQUITY, AND INNOVATION ACROSS SECTORS VITAL TO THE STATE'S FUTURE.