Influencing the outside world: Empowering an equitable future for the electricity sector

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi.

With your basket and my basket, the people will flourish.

Connected intelligence is at the heart of Global Women’s mahi. Our members, our partners, our leadership programmes and of course, the Champions for Change are united by this.

From supercharging knowledge and debating nation building kaupapa in Champions for Change Summits, to committing to upskilling in purpose-built masterclasses and collaboration labs, we are guided by curiosity and collaboration.

The motivation to turn insight into action is the biggest source of pride for the Champions for Change. This is the place of our workstreams: where groups within the cohort are committed to advancing one of the four areas of focus.

A workstream that’s seen significant traction in the past year, is influencing the outside world. It’s charged with identifying and intervening on systemic issues that impact women’s workforce participation at all levels.

An outcome of this mahi is the establishment of the Electricity Sector Diversity, Equity and Belonging Working Group.

This cross-organisation electricity sector group will work with the industry to address the challenges of workforce diversity, equity, and a culture of inclusion.

This initiative is spearheaded by two electricity sector CEOs who are Champions for Change sponsors, Alison Andrew, Transpower CEO and James Kilty, Powerco CEO.

The Electricity Sector Diversity, Equity and Belonging Working Group will develop a strategy and programme plan to:

In working together, as a sector, there is potential to provide a playbook for other industry sectors to follow.

“It’s a privilege to be able to use our collective mana, insights and resources to bring this group to life. Aotearoa is at a pivotal moment in its growth and skillsets in the energy industry are in high demand as New Zealand decarbonises. Setting our sector up as an industry that's not just inclusive of, but prosperous for women, is crucial to setting our sector up for excellence and to enable our economy and communities to thrive,” says Champion for Change and Powerco CEO James Kilty.

What underpins this movement—and what will continue to shape the strength of this group—is the power of the collective. Shared insights from being bold, open, and continuously curious. Something that we look forward to seeing more of across our membership and beyond.