When

Thursday, May 27, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM CDT
Add to Calendar 

Where

In the Virtual Realm, but thinking of Chicago. 

Utilzing an event platform that integretes with TEAMS. 

Contact

Preya Nixon 
National Utilities Diversity Council 
(323) 982-7223 Ext. 2 
preya.nixon@nudc.com 

 

The Chicago Re-Convening – Virtual - What Will We Make of the Future 


Register Now!

Plenary Speakers  


The Honorable Sherina Edwards 
CEO
INTREN


The Honorable Paul Kjellander
President, Idaho Public Utilities Commission
President, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The last year has tested us in so many ways - we lost friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and heroes to a dreadful pandemic. And we also faced heart wrenching racial inequity, including the murder of George Floyd. How do we honor this cost as we rebuild businesses, lives, economies?

It's time to build something different to make meaningful change. And we will make strides together on May 27 in the Virtual Realm.  We're inviting a small group of the smartest and most exciting leaders from utilities, regulatory, suppliers and associations to roll up their sleeves and delve deeply into finding a plan forward to address key challenges of diversity.  Then NUDC will commit to encourage the follow up and help our industry take strides toward change.

To keep everyone safe, we'll be in the Virtual Realm, but we'll join together with the usual NUDC energy, solutioneering, and fun. Please join us!

Convened by
The Honorable Kimberly O'Guinn and Robert MacLean
NUDC Co-Chairs

Make plans to be part of this high-energy event!
 
Member Rate $250
Non-Member Rate $350

----------------------------------------------------------------

Convening Schedule

 All times are Central Daylight Time 


9:00 - 9:30 am CDT 

Welcome & Sponsor Recognition

The Honorable Carrie Zalewski, Illinois Commerce Commission

Rob MacLean, SouthWest Water Company

 

Sponsor Recognition

Harry Sideris, Duke Energy

 

Convening 411, The Rule, Vote on Flash Convo Topic 

Valoria Armstrong, American Water

 

9:30 – 9:50 am CDT

Plenary Talk 

The Honorable Paul Kjellander, President Idaho Public Utilities Commission, 

President, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners

The Honorable Willie Phillips, Chairman, Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia

 

9:50- 10:00

Roundtable Instructions   

The Honorable Odogwu Obi Linton, Maryland Public Service Commission

 

10:00 – 12:30 CDT

Roundtable Session #1 

Track A – The Heavy Burden Women Bear

Women have left and are leaving the workforce by the millions (nearly 3 million) in the past 12 months – in great part due to need for childcare. Is this having an impact on our industry? Has COVID reframed our thinking about flexibility and access in a way that can help support working mothers? What role do employers play in solving this? What role does government play? How can and should we help? The fallout of the “she- session” is unclear and concerning. What are additional options for childcare, either on-site for larger employers or within a reasonable distance from the job site? What about flexible schedules? Can we give people more grace in needing time to shuttle kids to activities or having a kiddo briefly interrupt a meeting and more freely acknowledge that we are all juggling multiple roles? 

 

Track B – Proactive Work with Minority Serving Institutions

Relationships with HBCUs, HSIs, Trade Schools, Community Organizations and other groups, we need a campaign that opens up Companies by having the company voluntarily commit to recruit and hire from minority serving institutions, just as there is a diverse spend goal, there should be a measurable goal around this. The utility space is undergoing a sea change as long-term employees in the sector retire. This has created a need for a new generation of utility employees – from frontline workers to executive teams. This presents the sector with a profound opportunity to welcome a new, more diverse field of candidates into the space. 

 

12:30 – 12:50 pm CDT

Diversity Flash Convo and Dance Break

1:00– 1:20pm CDT

Plenary Talk

Introduced by The Honorable Ronald Brisé, Gunster

The Honorable Sherina Edwards, CEO INTREN

 

1:20 – 3:45 pm CDT

Roundtable Session #2

Track A – The Impact of Work from Home 

How can we move to new models of work that would widen opportunities for increased diversity and those who may need/benefit from them? Is this a lever for attracting more diverse talent? The Out-of-site, out-of-mind employee – will they be at a deficit when it comes to merit, promos, special projects? The employees that are asked to come back to the office may struggle to re-assimilate. -How do we level the playing field for employees working from home, meaning internet speed, smaller homes, lacking quiet space, lacking a desk, etc.?- How do we ensure fair workplace policies with some staff working from home and not always in the office? -Our regulators want our employees to live in the state. Will this ever change?

 

Track B – Diversifying the C-Suite

What actionable steps can be taken to include and encourage the promotion or hiring of more women and diverse individuals? To be successful searching for and finding diverse talent at this level, we need engagement, support/buy-in at the highest levels of an organization.

 

3:50 – 4:30 pm CDT

Roundtable Reports, Select Projects for First Action and Wrap Up

The Honorable Odogwu Obi Linton, Maryland Public Service Commission

 

Closing Thoughts

The Honorable Kimberly O’Guinn, Arkansas Public Service Commission

4:30 Conference is Adjourned 

 

With Thanks to Our Sponsors (as of 4/17/2021)