Chief Strategy officer of Nectr (Hanwha Energy) Hannah Heath has been named the recipient of the 2020 Women in Renewables scholarship.
An initiative of the Clean Energy Council (CEC) to enable the professional development of female employees in the clean energy industry, the scholarship includes the Foundations of Directorship Course and 12-month membership at the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). It also inclides mentoring by CEC director Jenny Paradiso. Additionally, Ms Heath will be invited to present to the CEC Board next year on her experience.
Ms Heath said she is honoured and excited to receive the 2020 Women in Renewables Australian AICD scholarship, with all the opportunities it offers from both a professional development and leadership perspective.
“As a senior executive with start-up energy retailer Nectr, the scholarship will definitely accelerate my on the job learning of how to deliver best practice corporate governance,” Ms Heath said.
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“I also believe that it provides a key platform to hopefully inspire and empower women in the clean energy industry to step out their comfort zones and take that risk – because you never know what you’re really capable of until you try.”
Clean Energy Council chief executive, Kane Thornton said that it is vital that the talented women in the clean energy industry are developed, promoted and harnessed to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
“We all must make a conscious effort across the sector to empower women. Skills development, knowledge-sharing and mentorship, play an essential part in improving the representation of women in leadership roles. The benefits in creating greater equity in leadership will go beyond the renewables industry,” he said.
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“It’s clear that Ms Heath, as the 2020 Women in Renewables Australian AICD scholarship recipient, will harness the learnings from the course to further the cause of women in our industry.
“This sets her apart as a worthy recipient and a great ambassador in the clean energy space.”
AICD CEO and managing director Angus Armour said the Foundations of Directorship course is an excellent step in the professional development of future leaders.
“I would like to congratulate Ms Heath and wish her the best of luck for her studies,” Mr Armour said.
“The Foundations of Directorship provides an important overview of the main components of directorship – governance, finance, strategy and risk – and in this increasingly complex environment, good governance is as vital as ever.
“I’m proud that the AICD can continue to support talented women on their career journeys, as we continue to advocate for greater board diversity across all sectors.”
