Women in Power

About

Scope

To advance the world through the creativity and innovation of expansive leadership, and to foster the careers, connections, and talent of women in the Power Industry to achieve their full potential to become the leaders of the future. WiP is open to anyone that is interested in participating.

Goals

PES Women-in-Power aims at empowering candidates to join and to lead the energy and power industry through education, building trusting relationships and mentorship.

• 1. An inclusive environment in conferences, events and awards
  2. A strong and bonded WiP community to draw inspiration and support that has open and honest dialogue
  3. Recognition of leaders, institutions and role models
  4. Focusing on early education to ensure the next workforce and leaders are informed about the energy industry
  5. Supporting organizations and candidates in advocating for fair promotion and leadership opportunities

People

Committee

The Women in Power initiative has pulled together a Leadership Advisory Committee comprised of men and women from broad backgrounds. Their stories and their positions in the industry help to demonstrate, first hand, the success that anyone can achieve with a lot of hard work. 

Elli Ntakou

WiP Chair

Region 1

Zhaohong Bie

Vice Chair

Region 10

Khayakazi Dioka

Past Chair

Region 10

Dana Al-Qadi

WiP representative in WIE

Region 5

Hamraz Salehi

WiP Awards Coordinator

Region 6

Harivardhagini Subhadra

WiP Events Coordinator

Region 10

Zongjie Wang

Academia Coordinator

Region 1

Mayda Hernandez Robles

Industry Coordinator

Region 9

Lina He

WiP Representative

Region 4

Wendy Al-Mukdad

WiP Representative

Region 6

Yousra Sidqi

WiP Representative

Region 8

Laura Santander

WiP Representative

Region 9

Sunitha Beevi

WiP Representative

Region 10

Wendy Al-Mukdad

WiP Representative

Region 6

Yousra Sidqi

WiP Representative

Region 8

Events

Awards

WiP Chair’s Award of Excellent Leadership

Sainab Taiwo Ninalowo 
For her long-time outstanding leadership contributions to the development of WIP.

Sainab Ninalowo is an Engineer in the Capacity Planning group at ComEd. ComEd is an energy delivery subsidiary of Exelon Corporation and one of the largest utilities in the United States, providing service to approximately 3.8 million customers across northern Illinois. Prior to this, she was in the Smart Grid and Technology group which was charged with developing and implementing innovative technologies and business models for advancing the electric grid. Sainab also drives innovation and collaboration at ComEd as ComEd’s regional innovation ambassador, and sits on the new idea review board.

Sainab was the FY16 VP of Outreach for the Society of Women Engineers- Chicago Regional Section, where she oversaw the high school, elementary, scholarship, and collegiate outreach programs. Sainab graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Bradley University in 2012, and she is currently pursuing an MBA degree in Finance from DePaul University in Chicago. Sainab loves outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and photographing the life around her.

WiP Chair’s Award of Membership Promotion

Staji Wilson
For her outstanding efforts and innovative activities to promote the visibility and influence of WIP, with effect of increasing active community members.

Staji is working as an Assistant Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services (RnD Telecom), Balngore, India. She graduated from APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University in Electronics and Communication Engineering. She is an IEEE Member for the past five years and an active PES Young Professional. She volunteered in many national and global IEEE committees and events. She was involved in IEEE Awards program for two years as an outreach volunteer and attended IEEE Vision Innovation Challenges Summit and IEEE Honors Ceremony in 2019.

Staji was the travel grant recipient of IEEE WIE International Leadership Conference 2019 and also volunteered in WIE ILS Kochi. She worked with NGOs like Teach for India to educate children in the country and spread awareness about STEM. She was a speaker for International conferences like IEEE Power Electronics, Smart Grid and Renewable Energy Conference (PESGRE 2020).

Staji organized events to promote WiE, to inspire and encourage careers in their field of interest. Her contributions towards IEEE PES are very significant at the chapter as well as the national level. She has taken numerous STEP and SPAC initiatives to instill the difference between student and professional life, and introduce the opportunities and benefits of IEEE YP and IEEE PES YP Affinity Group.  She served as the IEEE PES Day India Lead 2020. Her field of interest is photonics and renewable energy.

WiP Chair’s Award of Volunteer Service

Jing Sun
For his outstanding and continuous contributions to WIP through multiple services for the members and for the promotion of the community.

Jing Sun graduated from Beijing Normal University and worked in China Society of electrical engineering and Tsinghua University. He has been committed to the construction of information system in power and energy industry for many years. During his more than ten years at CSEE, he has repeatedly provided information technology support for activities jointly sponsored by IEEE PES in China. As a WIP volunteer from 2020 to 2021, he was responsible for data statistics and technical support.

IEEE PES Awards and Scholarships

To learn more about other award and scholarship opportunities click here.