In 2024, U.S. Women in Nuclear (U.S. WIN) dedicated significant efforts toward implementing the new strategic objectives developed by the U.S. WIN Steering Committee in 2023. This initiative has proven to be a success, with numerous achievements across various objectives.
- Attracting a Diverse Workforce U.S. WIN made strides in attracting a diverse workforce to the nuclear sector. In March, NEXT23 attended the National Science Teachers Association conference in Denver, distributing toolkits to teachers nationwide. Visibility of diverse career options was also increased through a workshop at the POWERGEN 2024 conference, focusing on action for the nuclear workforce. Online, the “Day-in-the-Life” social media series highlighted various jobs within the nuclear sector, showcasing individuals like Sarah Cole, a Boise State junior, and Scarlett Widgeon Paisner, a research scientist at Los Alamos National Lab.
- Fostering Inclusion and Belonging To retain a diverse workforce, U.S. WIN fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging. New community building sessions at the national conference facilitated the sharing of unique challenges and solutions for caregivers. During Women’s History Month, the organization also celebrated women advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion, further promoting a supportive environment.
- Professional Development and Networking U.S. WIN also focused on creating professional development and networking opportunities for our members. Collaborations between the Professional Development and Communication Committees improved video engagement metrics, making our most popular YouTube video to date. Ongoing improvements to the member directory and the launch of a new branding center have helped streamline representation of the national organization. A significant milestone was achieved with Kelly Ferneau becoming the first NEXT graduate appointed as Chief Nuclear Officer, marking a momentous occasion for both Kelly and U.S. WIN.
- Inspiring Advocacy and Public Support To inspire advocacy and public support for nuclear energy and technology, the organization continued its Member Spotlight series, which will soon be rebranded as “I’m a Nuclear Professional.” This series highlighted the contributions of professionals like Danielle Andreozzi of Entergy and Lily Stuck of Comanche Peak.
We also loved seeing how U.S. WIN chapters embraced the new strategic objectives with enthusiasm. The U.S. WIN chapter at NextEra Energy held a respect and communication event, while Energy Northwest hosted Kids Engineering Day at Kiona-Benton City Elementary School. In March, the U.S. WIN chapter in DC hosted an evening reception at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s annual Regulatory Information Conference, where Aleshia Duncan gave an inspiring speech titled “Dare to Be Bold.” Additionally, the U.S. WIN chapter at Virginia Commonwealth University won the outstanding new student organization award, showcasing their commitment to the organization’s goals.
As we look forward to 2025, U.S. WIN is excited for continued success. We hope to see you at our 2025 conference, “Beyond the Core: Expanding Horizons in Nuclear,” which promises to build on the achievements of 2024 and to inspire further innovation and growth in the nuclear sector.
