About Us
OUR PROGRAM GOAL
To mentor and participate in the advancement of women in the hydropower industry from across the globe.
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The Women in Hydropower Mentorship Program provides an opportunity for women to connect, generate new friendships and networks, and share experiences in a supportive environment that highlights the powerful contributions women from around the world make in the hydropower industry.
This program is open to all women from around the world involved in the hydro industry, including agency, stakeholders, and tribal representatives.
"The opportunity to mentor and participate in the advancement of women in the hydropower industry from across the globe is a highlight of my career."
The Women in Hydropower Mentorship Program is grateful to our supporting organizations that provide us opportunities during their annual/regionals meetings and conferences to let other women in the hydropower industry know about what we are doing!
OUR PARTNERS IN SUCCESS
THE MENTOR
The mentor brings her life experience and a willingness to listen, give counsel, and provide network connections that support the mentee.
THE MENTEE
The mentee brings her growth and development goals, opportunities, and challenges with a willingness to openly discuss them.
ALL WOMEN
This program is open to all women from around the world involved in the hydro industry, including agency, stakeholders, and tribal representatives.
A volunteer Steering Committee, passionate about mentorship and supporting women in the hydro industry, matches applicants into mentorship pairs/groups. Each mentorship pair/group is unique and adapts to a relationship style and meeting format that works best for them, typically meeting once a month for eight months, October to May.
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This initiative is supported by the International Hydropower Association (IHA), the National Hydropower Association (NHA), Kleinschmidt Associates, Waterpower Canada, Northwest Hydroelectric Association (NWHA), Hydropower Foundation (HF) and Midwest Hydro Users Group (MHUG).
MEET THE
STEERING COMMITTEE
The Women In Hydropower Mentorship Program is a volunteer led effort through the energy and talent of the Steering Committee. Steering Committee members serve a term of two years (October – September); the person serving as the Steering Committee Chair will serve a total of three years.
"Our goal is to have 6-8 Steering Committee members with staggering terms to maintain a history of the program and continuity but at the same time, be recruiting new Steering Committee members to allow others to participate and share their wisdom, energy, and ideas."
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
Recruit mentors and mentees
Evaluate the effectiveness of the program through periodic surveys
Propose improvements to the program, as necessary
Serve as mentors in the program and may also request a mentor
Share potential discussion topics and valuable resources with program participants as needed
Discuss and address any issues or concerns raised by program participants during the program cycle
Meet on periodic basis (3~4 times annually) to discuss program issues and/or ideas
Initiate the application and pairing process for the next program cycle at the end of their term; and
Select members for the next Steering Committee
If you are interested in serving on the Steering Committee, contact the committee at womeninhydropower@gmail.com or indicate your interest on the program application.
OUR TEAM
KLEINSCHMIDT ASSOCIATES
Kelly Schaeffer
Steering Committee Chair
“Many women—both in North America and around the world—are participating in this program, providing a unique opportunity to learn from each other, establish relationships, and contribute to each other’s success in the hydroelectric workforce. This past year dealing with the challenges of COVID-19 presented an opportunity for our mentorship pairs and triad groups to reach out and check in on how other women were addressing these work and life challenges.”
HYDRO TASMANIA
Maria Brescianini
"As a mentor and a Steering Committee member, I found the program to be a unique opportunity to connect with people from different countries, share experiences and learn from each other. I have found mentorship really important through my career and I highly recommend this program to anyone who is looking into personal and professional development."
Hull Street Energy
Jillian Lawrence
“Women bring talent, perspective, and a powerful commitment to the hydropower industry. When we mentor, support, and uplift one another, we not only open doors for individual growth—we accelerate innovation, resilience, and leadership across the global hydropower community. Our mentorship program fosters authentic connections, encourages shared learning, and highlights the impactful role women play in shaping hydropower worldwide”
Norsk institutt for naturforskning - NINA
Marie-Pierre Gosselin
"The mentorship program is positive for both mentors and mentees. Being a mentor makes me realize that every step of my career and every bit of experience I have, even those I could judge as unsignificant, can have an impact and help other women navigate whatever challenges they encounter in life and at work. It is a very uplifting experience.”
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INTERNATIONAL HYDROPOWER ASSOCIATION
Debbie Gray
Steering Committee Co-Chair
"I am starting on my third year as mentor, and I have really enjoyed sharing my experience and anecdotes from my long career in the hydro sector. I feel that I have helped my mentees get another point of view on some of the issues they encounter."
GWNET - GLOBAL WOMEN'S NETWORK FOR THE ENERGY TRANSITION
Barbara Fischer - Aupperle
"Being a mentor for the past several years and - since 2024 - Steering Committee member for the "Women in Hydropower" mentorship program is wonderful and a constantly great experience. I have met so many impressive women in our field and the mentees I was entrusted with are young and bright and deserve our encouragement and support and other hydropower women as role models for their professional and personal development. I myself, receive constant learning as a mentor, and at the same time can also help to foster the strategic development and the widening of offers in the mentoring program, in a very dedicated team of females."
Coming soon
Usha Khatiwada
"When a woman steps into leadership mentorship, she doesn’t just open doors—she keeps them open so others can walk through feeling supported and confident."
