As we each do our part to help contain and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, U.S. WIN wanted to update the membership on its efforts to be prepared in the event the pandemic extends into the summer. U.S. WIN Leadership and the Nuclear Energy Institute are in communication and are monitoring the situation. At this time we do not plan on postponing the conference, but this is a fluid situation and subject to change. We will delay opening registration for the conference. We will update our members as decisions are made. Please check back for updates on U.S. WIN’s social media channels, website and the NEI website.

For the latest public health information, please visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 webpage and the World Health Organization’s webpage and situation dashboard. Stay safe.

It is 2020 and U.S. WIN is 20 years old!

I am proud to have been part of this amazing organization since its inception in 1999. In the last 20 years we have all seen more change than we could have ever imagined, but throughout it all we have stayed true to the organization’s objectives:

• Drive a culture in nuclear energy and technology in which women and men succeed
• Create professional development and networking opportunities for career advancement
• Enhance understanding and awareness of the value of nuclear energy and technology

2018 and 2019 were transformational years for U.S. WIN.  In 2019, we celebrated U.S. WIN’s 20^th birthday in Chicago with much pomp and circumstance.  We fully transitioned into an independent, industry-led organization by adding structure to the Steering Committee and forming an Executive Advisory Council (EAC) made up of CNOs.

We kicked off the inaugural pilot Leadership Cohort Program (LCP) with 12 amazing women, who will soon be executives in the nuclear industry. And on the tails of the successes of our organization, Maria Lacal, one of our Steering Committee members was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer for Arizona Public Service Company.

So, what’s Beyond 2020 for U.S. WIN?

We’ve increased our EAC membership from 9 to 12 to include utility, supplier and laboratories’ leadership, we have increased touch points with the NSIAC and INPO, and are working to increase the visibility of U.S. WIN and the value provided to the nuclear industry. I am pleased to say, based on the success of the pilot, the LCP will be an NEI and U.S. WIN offered program for our members, meeting our second objective.

An exciting development we are working on is to enhance our collaboration with ANS and NAYGN. The three organizations plan to sign an memorandum of understanding to formalize our efforts to collaborate, leverage our strengths and objectives while driving nuclear advocacy and meeting our third objective.

Finally, we reviewed the survey results and the 2020 conference planning team is hard at work going above and Beyond to implement your feedback. As in the past, the NEI team will not disappoint in making the conference in July another successful event!

I am looking forward to seeing you all in Richmond and another year of continuing to make our mark in the nuclear industry! In case you haven’t noticed, our theme for the 2020 U.S. WIN conference is “BEYOND!”

— Jhansi Kandasamy, Chair of U.S. WIN

We are so excited to announce that our pilot Leadership Cohort Program has been confirmed to continue as a full-fledged program of U.S. Women in Nuclear. As a reminder, the year-long leadership program includes virtual sessions on key industry topics, sessions on leadership and professional development, face-to-face sessions that build relationships and one-on-one coaching.

We have received great feedback with an overall approval rating of 98% and support from our Executive Advisory Committee of CNOs/CEOs to start another cohort beginning in July. Since the kick-off last July in Chicago, these twelve women have embraced this experiential program which has included intimate conversations with several of our industry leaders on targeted topics.

In late January, these amazing women spent two days together at NEI, learning about advocacy and practicing “their voice” on Capitol Hill as they met with their U.S. House Representatives to discuss the future of our industry. They also spent an hour chatting with Rita Baranwal, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Energy, to learn more about what her office is working on and her personal career journey.

The cohort has kicked off their capstone projects which will be presented at the National Conference in Richmond. In April, the group will be back together at INPO where they will have the unique opportunity to engage with industry CNOs at the INPO Executive Advisory Group meeting.

Our U.S. WIN Committees and Regions have been busy! Read the latest here!