WiRE Juniors Takes Off with Inaugural Event

Front row: *Rhea Gupta, Selina Kamranpoor*
Back row: *Joanna Osawe, Cara Clairman, Susanna Zagar, Farah Alexis*

What a launch! WiRE Juniors' first-ever event was a resounding success, thanks to the amazing support of Doane Grant Thornton. Their stunning Toronto offices and dedicated staff created an unforgettable experience for our attendees.

The event began with a lively networking session, where energy professionals and their children had the opportunity to connect, share ideas, and foster a sense of community.

WiRE President & CEO Joanna Osawe and Doane Grant Thornton’s Partner and National Practice Leader for Corporate Finance and Infrastructure Troy MacDonald launched the evening with inspiring words, setting the stage for a powerful discussion. A panel of exceptional women leaders – Susanna Zagar (CEO, Ontario Energy Board), Cara Clairman (President & CEO, Plug’n Drive), and Farah Alexis (Chief Ethics Officer, Hydro One) – generously shared their career journeys and insights, captivating our audience of aspiring young professionals.

We were thrilled to welcome our first-ever WiRE Juniors Ambassadors, Rhea (7) and Selina (7), who moderated our panel discussion with impressive poise and insightful questions. Thank you to Rhea and Selina, and their supportive parents, Rob Kamranpoor and Sushma Narisetty! We also extend our gratitude to our esteemed panelists Susanna Zagar, Cara Clairman, and Farah Alexis, and our dedicated WiRE Ontario Chapter Leaders Elham Fadavi and Priyanka Varshney.

Wire Juniors is a new initiative by Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE) that empowers young people who are passionate about energy and the environment. Our goal is to equip them with the tools and confidence they need to launch rewarding careers in the energy sector. By connecting them with industry leaders and providing mentorship opportunities, we believe we can inspire the next generation of energy innovators.

The remainder of the evening was filled with networking, delicious food, and drinks.

WiRE extends our deepest gratitude to Troy MacDonald, Ingrid Holbik, Lauren O’Donnell, Clara Lee, and Ariha Shah for making this event possible. Doane Grant Thornton's generous support as a treasured sponsor is instrumental to our impact.

We're already planning our next Wire Juniors event! If you’re interested in learning more about how to get involved with WiRE as a volunteer, please reach out to us at info@womeninrewewableenergy.ca or visit https://womeninrenewableenergy.ca/join-wire.

To learn more about the WiRE Juniors program and sign your child or teenager up to be an ambassador, please follow this link.

Learn more about Doane Grant Thornton.

Our next WiRE Juniors event will be held in Q1 2025. We hope to see you there!