Blog

UECU Empowers Women to Take Control of Their Finances and Reach Their Personal Goals

Utilities Employees Credit Union (UECU) is a long-time partner and supporter of Women in Energy. As an advocate for financial wellness, UECU provides free credit union membership as a valuable benefit to all members of Women in Energy.

With deep roots in the energy sector, UECU has been dedicated to enhancing the financial well-being of utility and energy employees for over 90 years. UECU’s offerings include trade school loans for aspiring students and upgraded technology that allows for convenient, on-the-go access to services. All solutions are designed with transparency and authenticity, ensuring that every member has the tools to manage their finances, secure their future, and feel genuinely supported throughout their careers and beyond.

Courtney Perez, Business Relationship Manager, stated, “At UECU, we believe that financial wellness is essential to personal wellness. That is why we have committed ourselves to being the trusted financial partner you can rely on. Whether you want to build your savings, further your education, buy a home, create a plan to pay down debt, or grow your retirement savings, we’re ready to help you get started.”

For more information about UECU, please get in touch with your dedicated financial wellness partner, Paula Simmons, at 800-288-6423, ext. 4013, or via email at psimmons@uecu.org.

About UECU

UECU is a utility-focused credit union with a mission to help members achieve financial well-being. Headquartered in Wyomissing, PA, the $1.5 billion Credit Union serves its 64,000 members nationwide with convenient digital banking services. Members save with low fees, cashback rewards, savings rates consistently higher than the national average, and affordable rates on loans, credit cards, and mortgages. Additional membership benefits include financial education, access to financial and retirement planning services, insurance services, and other valuable resources. Credit union membership is open to the utility employees of UECU’s partner companies throughout the US. Pennsylvania residents are also eligible for membership through UECU’s Partner Association, the Pennsylvania American Consumer Council (PACC).

UECU is among the 4% of US credit unions to receive the Best of Bauer Status for having earned BauerFinancial’s 5-Star Rating for financial strength for over 30 years! UECU was also ranked as one of the 100 Best-performing credit unions in 2023 by S&P Global Market Intelligence. To learn more about UECU, visit uecu.org.

PRINCETON, NJ – September 9-11, 2025

Annually, WE host an event that includes plenty of educational sessions, great networking opportunities, a charity event that benefits women in the area and of course, have fun. This year, we included something new and exciting. And hopefully it continues!

SUNY ESF Students Find Inspiration, Career Clarity at Women in Energy Conference

A select group of undergraduate and graduate students from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) recently returned from the Women in Energy Conference with a renewed sense of purpose and a wealth of industry knowledge, thanks to an initiative that fully covered their attendance costs. The conference provided an invaluable opportunity for the students to connect with accomplished female leaders and gain a more well-rounded view of the complex energy sector.

The initiative, which ensured the students could attend the conference free of charge, was described by participants as “transformative,” offering a uniquely supportive environment for those looking to build careers in a traditionally male-dominated field.

“Attending the Women in Energy Conference was an incredibly valuable experience,” one student reflected. “It was empowering to be in a space where women’s contributions to the industry were recognized and celebrated. I found it uplifting to be surrounded by such a supportive and encouraging community of women who are eager to help others find their way.”

Key Takeaways and Industry Insight

The students, many of whom focus on renewable energy at SUNY ESF, valued the opportunity to broaden their perspective beyond their core curriculum. Sessions on topics like energy markets, supply and demand dynamics, and financial strategies such as hedging were highlighted as particularly eye-opening.

“Learning about the fossil fuel side and the diverse careers it offers gave me a more well-rounded view of the sector,” noted one attendee. Another added that understanding how the industry manages the volatility of investments through hedging was an “eye-opening moment that connected broad economic principles to the daily realities of the industry.”

Reinforcing Commitment to the Field

A central theme from the students’ reflections was the profound impact of seeing women confidently leading complex, high-stakes conversations. The conference served as a powerful motivator, reinforcing their belief in the critical role women play in leadership and strategic decision-making within the energy sector.

“Seeing so many women confidently leading these complex, high-stakes conversations completely reinforced my belief in their critical role in leadership,” a student commented. “Overall, the conference strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career in this industry. It reassured me that I am on the right path.”

The emphasis on networking and authentic conversation also stood out. Students praised the event for moving beyond superficial interactions, offering “meaningful conversations about both the technical aspects of the energy industry and the realities of navigating a male-dominated field.”

For future attendees, the advice was clear: “Listen carefully to the experiences and insights shared by women who have spent years in the industry… their stories and advice are incredibly insightful and can open your eyes to new opportunities.”

The opportunity for these students to attend the Women in Energy Conference at no cost has not only provided practical knowledge but has also delivered a significant boost in confidence, preparing them to become the next generation of leaders in energy transition and innovation.

We Couldn’t do it Without our Generous Sponsors

Thank you to all of our sponsors – including EUCU, Beckett, ADD Systems, Entech, F.W. Webb, Buckeye, Cargas, CEMA, LS Power, Tevis Energy, NEFI, Fuel Merchants of NJ, Saul-Ewing, Marsh-McLennan Agency, Sprague and Cetane, Energy Kinetics and OESP.

Annual Awards

These women along with our attendees had an opportunity to meet some amazing women who were recognized at our event. They included:

Pamela Giordano, director with Cetane Associates and Vice President of WE was named 2025 Woman of the Year.

Rising Star Award Winners. – Nickey Kollie, Director of Legislative Affairs & Member Services with CT Energy Marketers Association and Mary Hall, Account Manager, R.W. Beckett Co.

A New Award - The EmpowerHER Award – had five women recognized: Heather Steves, Buster Propane, Corpus Christi, TX; Amy Stackhouse, Rhoads Energy, Lancaster, PA; Kate Lennon, Entech Tech School, Cromwell, CT; Pearl Begin, Lake Region Energy, Gorham, ME and Shawn Franklin, Tevis Energy, Westminster, MD.

To learn more about our 2025 Awards and the winners, please visit our website.

Our next conference will be held next October. Visit our website for more information and how to join Women in Energy.

Moving Ahead from an Idea to a Recognized Association

Women in Energy continues to grow as its mission of “connecting and empowering women working in the energy industry” reaches a broader audience.

Since 2018, Women in Energy has continued to explore and implement benefits for our members.

Women In Energy offers a variety of webinars from October through March. In addition, our online learning center gets fresh content throughout the year. The E-Learning library has topics on Leadership Development, Personal Development, Financial Wellness, Welcome to the Energy Industry (where we have a variety of soft technical sessions), Sales and Marketing, Human Resources, and Customer Service Training. This tool is complementary to our members.

Now in our second year of a formal Mentorship program, our Mentorship Program Committee Chair, Pam Morrissey, created a welcome video for our mentors and mentees, as well as a mentor/mentee journey guide, which is a great starting point for the relationships and conversations. Currently, there are 11 strategically paired women. We would love to have more mentors and mentees in 2026. Please consider joining us. Find out more information at our website at Wewomeninenergy.com – Events- Women In Energy Mentorship Program.

Our Annual Conference is something we all look forward to. To best to serve all our members, we rotate this conference to various areas in the Northeast. Last year, we were in Mystic, CT and this year we will be in Princeton, NJ. This year’s event will be held September 9-11, and the conference offers 2 days of sessions and an opportunity to network. We are excited to host a reception at Princeton’s Nassau Inn, including a performance by the Princeton Tigertones acappella group. As in past years, Women In Energy will donate to support a local community group. Our annual conference brings together women from diverse energy industry segments from across the country.

We recognize successful women at our conference as well. There are 3 awards and nominations are open now through July 23, 2025!

The Judy Garber Rising Star award is to recognize someone with less than 8 years in the industry.

The Woman of the Year award is to recognize a woman who sets the standard for excellence in customer service, operations, brand loyalty, and dedication. They are unsung heroes.

New this year, we will be presenting the EmpowerHER award. This award is for a strong contributor who has been in the energy industry for more than 8 years and is the backbone of the company.

Golf, too! We are partnering with the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association for the fourth year to host our annual Golf Tournament. The event will be held on October 7th at the Hershey Country Club. Sponsorships are still available, and you can add a golf team.

We could not do any of this without the support of our sponsors and members.

If you are not yet a member, please consider joining us. There are a host of affordable memberships, from Individual to Gold Level.

Check it out at www.wewomeninenergy.com.

Learn more about our newest Silver Corporate Member - ARPCO Valves & Controls

We provide the Oil & gas sector with sustainable solutions without sacrificing production

The idea that you must sacrifice production in order to implement sustainable solutions is a thing of the past. We have developed an efficient and innovative process for providing the oil & gas sector with sustainable, safe, and efficient solutions.

Vision

Your needs, your team, the environment, and your production are our top priorities. For maintenance, new equipment, inspections, rentals, or educational resources, we’re here to help. Contact the company that cares.

Mission

We are dedicated to protecting our customers, communities, and the environment through superior emergency shutdown systems for oil and gas wells. We’re passionate about what we do, and we strive to be a trusted partner for all of your safety valve needs.

Pioneering Sustainability in the Industry

At Arpco Valves & Controls, we recognize the importance of environmentally sustainable practices. That is why we develop and implement eco-friendly solutions that not only meet, but exceed regulatory standards. By staying at the forefront of technological advancements and regulatory changes, we empower oil and gas companies to navigate evolving environmental regulations without compromising their operations. Our dedication to innovation ensures that our clients remain competitive and sustainable in an ever-changing landscape, safeguarding their longevity and success in the industry.

Check out their industry products: https://arpcovalves.com/zeus/

Contact Us: https://arpcovalves.com/contact/

In a groundbreaking initiative launched in 2024, the Women in Energy Mentorship Program set out to address a critical need in the energy sector: fostering leadership and support for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. As we wrap up our inaugural year, the program’s impact has demonstrated the vital role of mentorship in shaping the future of women in energy.

Program Foundation and Goals

The program was established with a clear vision: to guide and inspire the next generation of leaders through professional and personal growth. Built on the understanding that women in the energy sector face unique challenges, the program focused on career advancement, building confidence, expanding professional networks, and driving industry-wide change toward inclusivity.

Success Stories and Impact

Throughout 2024, mentors and mentees engaged in regular meetings through various formats—virtual, in-person, and hybrid—allowing for consistent communication despite busy schedules. Survey feedback revealed several notable successes:

“I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to provide for my mentee in a meaningful way,” shared one mentor, “but I learned a lot about myself and how much I’m capable of doing for others and how small gestures can go a long way.”

Mentees reported significant practical takeaways, with one participant highlighting valuable advice: “Break down the bigger picture into smaller points when trying to gain motivation from an unmotivated team, drill home the why behind things versus just telling them something.”

Key Program Highlights

1. In-Person Connections: While virtual meetings provided convenience, participants particularly valued in-person interactions for deeper connection.
2. Industry-Specific Support: The program’s focus on energy sector challenges proved valuable, with mentees appreciating “having another woman’s perspective in a male-dominated industry.”
3. Confidence Building: Multiple participants noted improvements in workplace confidence and decision-making abilities.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The inaugural year revealed opportunities for enhancement, including more structured meeting guidelines, increased group networking opportunities, and expanded industry-specific resources. As one mentor reflected, “The issues that women see are universal, not necessarily gender related.” This insight highlights the program’s role in not just supporting individual careers but in shaping a more inclusive industry culture.

Conclusion

The inaugural year of the Women in Energy Mentorship Program has laid a strong foundation for future success. Through meaningful connections, practical guidance, and shared experiences, the program has begun fulfilling its mission of empowering women in the energy sector. As we move forward, the lessons learned, and successes achieved in 2024 will help shape an even stronger program for future participants.

The Women in Energy Mentorship Program continues to welome dedicated professionals interested in shaping the future of women in energy. The 2025 program will be launched over the next few weeks. Please look for details coming soon!

MYSTIC, CT – Women in Energy hosted its Annual Conference in Mystic, CT, September 10-12, 2024

Beth Tocco, President of Women in Energy commented, “This year’s conference was our strongest to date, drawing people from all over the country. The sessions were varied thus providing all attendees with choices. I personally want to thank all our Sponsors, particularly our Conference Sponsors, NEFI, and Taco Comfort Solutions, who supported our event.”

The conference kicked off with an icebreaker-Bingo. This event allowed people to connect and learn about each other.

Wednesday was a day packed with presentations and panel discussions followed by a wonderful networking event at the Mystic Aquarium sponsored by EBI (Electrical Builders Inc), Cargas, Chevron Renewable Energy, Buckeye and iRely.

Thursday started the day with a Yoga event followed by our popular Power Panel. This year’s panelists included Jessica Netter, CEO, Electrical Builders; Esther Angell, VP Cargas Systems; Cheryl Perkins, Director Global Supply and returnee, Leslie Konsig, Sr Marketing Rep, Federal Insurance.

Our final event was the Awards Brunch and program. One of the announcements was the retirement of Judy Garber, Executive Director effective January 1 and our new Executive Director, Deena Doyle.

Our 2024 Woman of the Year Award Winner was Jacqueline Hart, Hart Home Comfort, Oakdale, NY. The two Judy Garber Rising Star winners were Nicole Glase, Clyde S Walton, Lansdale PA and Hailie Newman, EV Charging Stations, Kentucky. You can read more about these amazing women by visiting www.wewomeninenergy.com.

Perhaps one of the most significant milestone of the conference was the announcement of the retirement of Judy Garber, Executive Director effective January 1 and the introduction of the new Executive Director, Deena Doyle.

View photos from our 2024 Conference.

Many people ask how Women in Energy came about. Frankly, it was a missing piece within the energy industry – especially for the northeast. Judy Garber, Executive Director, previously was the director of OESP, Oil and Energy Service Professionals. This Association is dedicated to the mission of education. After 20 years, she wanted to step back but before doing so wanted to leave the Association in good hands. Knowing the oil heat market was shrinking and impacting their annual trade show, she looked at consolidation with another show. After speaking with a couple of other association execs, one rose to the top. But more was gained than a smooth transition. The expression, “great minds think alike” came into play. The woman that managed the other trade show thought as Judy did that a track should be added just for women that work “behind the scenes”. After that event a meeting with some of those that attended the event took place and we agreed that we would move forward with our own Association.

We then learned that a couple of people had been trying to offer something for women in New England. They already had a logo and offered it to us. We still use that logo.

The podcast tells the story of the history and progress of Women in Energy. This group was founded by a dedicated group of volunteers who became our 1st Board – Roberta Fagan, Erin Holohan Haskell, Marjorie Feinman, Lisa Scuderi, Sue Hammond and our sitting President, Beth Tocco.

We thank everyone who has supported us! And I will end with . . there is more to the story, just ask!!

CLICK HERE

A quote by: Brian Sullivan, Assistant Professor of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology, New England Institute of Technology

The United States needs more skilled tradespeople, particularly in the HVAC workforce. Part of the reason is demographics: as the Baby Boomers retire, there are fewer Millennials and Zoomers to replace them, and the number of skilled trade jobs continues to outpace the supply of qualified workers to fill them. But that shortage is compounded by a historical cultural push towards students getting traditional, four-year liberal arts bachelor’s degrees, few of which are necessary for a successful career as a skilled tradesperson.

Advances in HVAC-R practice are driving HVAC education forward, toward an understanding of greener systems and components, and connected and embedded technologies such as Nest thermostats that control advanced heating and cooling systems in ever more sophisticated ways. New HVAC certification and degree programs focus on preparing technicians to install, maintain and repair modern HVAC-R systems, often device-controlled and incorporating progressively greener technology. This blog surfaces the best modern HVAC programs across a number of dimensions, along with the professors that are pushing HVAC education forward, and the apps and technologies that are emerging as future HVAC-R standards. As licensing and certification requirements evolve to incorporate new advancements in the field, and as active HVAC educators and practitioners share their stories, the www.hvacclasses.org team will publish that information here.

In the age of AI, with the nature and definition of work continuing to change, America needs more robust pathways to different forms of education. Students need easier access to opportunities in skilled trades like HVAC. If some of this education could start early, at the high school level, students, industry, and the general public would all benefit.

Take the time to share these stories with family, schools and others looking for wonderful opportunities!

President of WE, Beth Tocco, recently announced the creation of an exciting new Mentorship Program. “We are thrilled to announce the creation of an inspirational new Women in Energy Mentorship Program! And we are thrilled that member, Pam Morrissey, Cargas, is spearheading this program.” You can learn more about it by visiting this page on our website.

Judy Garber, WE Executive Director commented, “The energy industry shapes the world we live in, and women play a pivotal role in creating that future. That is why we’re bringing together a circle of empowered female mentors and mentees who will uplift one another to new heights.”

Morrissey added, “The mission of the Women in Energy Mentorship Program is to embolden rising stars and encourage them to harness their innate strengths, amplify their voices with courage and step into their calling as leaders in the energy revolution.

“When women support each other, magic happens. We can’t wait for you to be part of this spark and this sisterhood.”

Pre-launch tools on the site include a mentee and a mentor survey and a video of our initial launch webinar. At our April 17th event to be held in Peddler’s Village, PA, attendees will also learn more about the program.

We have a goal of late May to be able to pair the mentees with a mentor. To get started, please complete the appropriate survey. You can view the webinar presentation here.

The Spring Edition of our Newsletter, Connect and Empower is available to view. We hope you enjoy looking back to 2023. It is wonderful to see the many faces of our Organization! Let’s make more memories in 2024.

Click here to view the newsletter.