We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

Live from our PowerUp Live stage at RE+ Northeast in Boston, Barry Reaves of the North East Clean Energy Council (NECEC) discusses what it takes to reach & empower diverse communities in clean energy sector opportunities. Serving as Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice (DEI/J), and Workforce Development, he leads efforts across the Northeast, fostering collaborations to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within workforce strategies. 

This conversation contains enlightening lessons on the importance of workforce diversity from a practitioner on the front lines. It underscores the critical role that organizational leaders play as catalysts for change, advocating for diversity and inclusion right from the top. It also delves into the challenges policies can pose to such initiatives, emphasizing the need for holistic thinking in developing programs that attract diverse talent. Reeves’ work calls for inclusion beyond ethnicity, recognizing the need to encompass individuals from rural communities, the military, and various gender and sexual orientations, among others. 

Listeners will learn about the tangible benefits of diversity for companies, the significance of establishing connections with often overlooked communities, and the strategies the NECEC employs to foster a more inclusive clean energy sector. This dialogue sheds light on the imperative for equitable workforce development, but also illustrates how inclusivity can drive innovation and progress in clean energy and beyond.

Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with Barry Reaves:

• LinkedIn

Follow NECEC:

• LinkedIn | X | Website

Key Takeaways:

1. Leadership's Pivotal Role: Learn how the commitment of CEOs and organizational leaders to diversity and inclusion initiatives is crucial for fostering an environment where every individual feels valued and empowered, thereby setting a tone that influences the entire organization.
2. Navigating Policy Challenges: Explore the complexities of navigating existing policies that may hinder inclusivity efforts, and the significance of proactive advocacy by leaders for policy changes that support a diverse and inclusive workplace.
3. Expanding the Scope of Inclusion: Gain a deeper understanding of the importance of including people from various backgrounds, not limited to ethnicity but also encompassing those from rural areas, veterans, individuals across the gender and sexuality spectrums, and more. This broad approach enriches the clean energy sector with diverse perspectives, driving innovation and ensuring a more resilient future.
4. Building Meaningful Connections: Discover the strategies employed by the NECEC to forge lasting relationships with communities that have been historically marginalized, ensuring their representation and participation in the clean energy transition.

NOTEWORTHY QUOTE:

“We try to encourage organizations to not just go to the community, but be a part (and) be committed to that community, invest in that community, get your team outside their four walls into that community to really understand how to really be connected to the community.”

— Barry Reaves

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

SUNGROW focuses on integrated energy storage system solutions, including PCS, lithium-ion batteries and energy management system. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/sungrow

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 20 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.