Welcome to the Chicago Chapter of Women’s Energy Network! 

We are thrilled to be entering our eighth year as a chapter of this global industry organization. The Chicago Chapter continues to grow and flourish, and we remain committed to delivering the most value to our members. This past year we were able to come together in-person again after much time apart, and we are so grateful! Our Chapter offers a hybrid approach to our programming and events, with both virtual and in-person options, which has helped us provide flexibility and expand our reach to more members.  

The Chicago Chapter of Women’s Energy Network is part of a network of 22 chapters across the United States and Mexico that has been operating for more than 25 years. We are very proud of how we have grown the Chicago Chapter, which is now comprised of over 15 sponsor companies, 200 members, and a strong Board of nearly 30 directors, chairs and committee members. Our Chapter is proud of the diversity of our members, representing a broad range of companies across the energy industry with women at all stages of their career. We believe that our organization can be a powerful vehicle to drive transformative change across the energy industry and we are committed to fostering change through our partnerships, programming, and initiatives.

I would like to take a moment to highlight the important programming that we were able to bring to our members in 2022:

• Our Mentoring Program, which aims to connect WEN members at all levels of their careers with women in our industry and community, continues to excel with over 50 participants! We continually receive positive feedback from both mentors and mentees on their experience with our mentorship circles, free coaching opportunities, and networking events. We also hosted a virtual speed mentoring event for local university engineering students focused on interviewing, job searching, and transitioning from school to the job force.
   
• We officially kicked off our Ambassador Program, which is a member engagement initiative to foster awareness and to encourage participation and value creation for our Chapter. We had 19 number of ambassadors participate this year and saw great results. We are excited to continue this initiative and appreciate all our ambassadors for their commitment and effort toward increasing Chapter engagement. 
   
• Our Membership team hosted two virtual WENformation sessions, which provided an opportunity for members and non-members to learn more about our Chapter, meet our Board of Directors, and ask questions and provide feedback. This annual event has been successful in helping our membership grow and adapt. 
   
• Our Educational Programming team held both in-person and virtual events, which included the important topic of emotional empowerment and an educational session on a hot industry topic: new energy legislation. Our members have continued to embrace the flexibility of our hybrid approach to educational programming and professional development.
   
• We know there is value in networking to build and expand our professional networks, so we took time to socialize, de-stress, and have some fun with in-person happy hours, our Yoga Wine-Down event, and our virtual holiday mixer, which included a DIY wreath-making workshop.
   
• Our Chapter remains committed to the Chicagoland communities we serve. This past year, 10 of our Chapter members participated in another successful Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build, constructing a home for a woman-led family in Chicago’s West Pullman neighborhood.
   
• Lastly, we held our annual EmPOWERment Forum, which had been postponed during the pandemic. We came together in-person to celebrate our 2022 accomplishments and preview the exciting new year to come. We heard from a dynamic speaker and introduced our new Board of Directors while networking with our industry peers. It was an unforgettable evening! 

Overall, it was a successful and exciting 2022! In 2023, we remain committed to our mission, of being the leading organization that fosters women’s personal and professional development to transform the energy industry. We create value in and for our members through networking, education, mentorship, and community engagement. Thank you for your commitment and support of the Chicago Chapter of Women’s Energy Network. Cheers to 2023!