Excerpt and Photo from rmi.org
“The WIRE Network has been life changing, as it provides a conduit for me to engage with such powerful women in the field…. We are all different but so alike,” said Sheena Gosine, referring to the RMI-run Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) Network.
Gosine is a mentee in WIRE’s mentorship program. Through opportunities like these, women like Gosine have risen to become innovators and decision-makers in the energy sector, driven by their dedication, hard work, and the support of strong professional networks.
The WIRE Network is a professional development group for women working in energy in island nations throughout the Caribbean. Every year, 12 women are selected to participate in WIRE’s flagship mentorship and networking program. Along with periodic mentor-mentee meetings, the full cohort meets monthly for technical trainings or interpersonal sessions, led by women leaders of the region (often program alumni, underscoring the wider network connection).
The WIRE cohort also convenes every year for training, networking, and planning for the year ahead. This year, the WIRE cohort met in Bridgetown, Barbados, for a three-day convening filled with guest speakers, networking activities, and site visits around the island. Read on for a rundown of the uplifting stories, shared knowledge, and lasting connections that came out of the three-day convening.
Day 1: Site Visits, Solar Facilities, Sheep
The convening began with a morning meetup in the hotel lobby filled with hugs, photos, and laughter. Members of the WIRE Network have formed deep bonds with one another over the years, transcending their professional relationships to strong friendships and mutual trust. After a quick welcome address by RMI’s Laura Diez, the current coordinator of the WIRE Network, the group boarded the tour bus and headed to the Barbados Fair Trade Commission (FTC) for a kickoff session hosted by Marsha Atherley-Ikechi, FTC’s CEO.
