Navigating Emotional and Mental Challenges in Leadership
Utility leaders—whether emerging talents or seasoned professionals—face emotional and mental challenges that surpass traditional leadership demands. From confidently leading safety-critical operations to maintaining composure during security breaches, the weight of these responsibilities can be immense. Leaders must stay calm under pressure, manage long hours, address customer concerns with assurance, and safeguard their teams' well-being, all while demonstrating decisiveness.
The inaugural U2030 ENERGIZE Retreat, themed “Leading with Confidence & Heart,” is designed to support leaders at every stage of their careers, helping them build the internal strength needed to manage these emotional challenges with confidence, empathy, and knowledge.
Open to both up-and-coming and experienced leaders, regardless of gender, this must-attend event for 2025 provides utility professionals with the emotional resilience and internal capacity required to thrive in today’s complex utility landscape.
ENERGIZE is a place where all leaders can learn to lead with confidence and heart, preparing them to face the evolving demands of their industry.
Discounted Hotel Room Block Coming Soon
Draft a career plan with short- and long-term goals, pinpointing key skills for development, mapping out opportunities for growth, and identifying the right mentors and sponsors.
Career Planning & Support
Strengthen your impact across silos through strategic thinking and interpersonal skills, especially in high-stress situations like outages or security breaches.
Influence Beyond Authority
Learn how to prioritize personal well-being and achieve a sustainable, healthy work-life balance for long-term success and happiness.
Self-Care &
Mental Health
Practice techniques for navigating difficult conversations and setting healthy boundaries to foster collaboration and mutual respect.
Crucial Conversations & Setting Boundaries
Learn to leverage interpersonal skills to lead and inspire diverse teams, celebrating the strengths of each individual.
Hiring & Managing
Diverse Teams
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The retreat's focus on empathy and collaboration creates a supportive atmosphere where leaders can share experiences and learn from each other in a safe place, which is particularly valuable for professionals in emotionally challenging roles.
Safe
Environment
ENERGIZE is not just about technical skills but about fostering empathy, mental well-being, and work-life balance—elements crucial for long-term leadership success, especially when handling high-stress, high-stakes situations faced by utility leaders..
Holistic Leadership Development
ENERGIZE directly addresses the emotional and mental challenges faced by utility leaders by focusing on developing the internal strength needed to remain calm and effective under intense pressure, such as during safety-critical operations or crisis situations.
Focus on Emotional Resilience
ENERGIZE offers a valuable opportunity to map out your career path, helping you clarify your goals and determine the necessary steps to achieve them. You'll also identify the key individuals, including mentors and sponsors, who can support your growth and success along the way.
Career Planning & Support
Social impact and charitable giving are central to our mission, which is why we host community service projects before each event. Joining fellow attendees to contribute to a meaningful cause and cultivate the empathy and insights to create impactful solutions for utility customers.
Community Services Project
Hotel Adeline is a boutique-style hotel in Scottsdale, AZ. Known for its laid-back atmosphere and stylish design, it combines retro influences with modern comfort. It is situated in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, offering easy access to the area’s vibrant nightlife, shopping, and cultural attractions.
Iconic Scottsdale Venue
ENERGIZE Differentiators
Preliminary Agenda
(Subject to Change)
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Mentoring and Reverse Mentoring Workshop
(By Invitation Only: For Women Who SPARK Alumni and RADIATE Women’s Leadership Program participants)
This exclusive workshop will create meaningful connections between established and emerging leaders through a dynamic exchange of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences.2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Charitable Giving Project
Assemble Self-care kits for a Phoenix women’s shelter.
Contribute to the community by helping prepare self-care kits, which will be donated to a local women's shelter. This service activity allows participants to give back while fostering empathy and team collaboration.5:30 PM – 8:00 PM – Opening Dinner & Keynote Speaker
Join us for an elegant dinner, where a renowned keynote speaker will set the tone for the retreat by sharing insights on leadership, resilience, and empowerment.Tuesday, April 8, 2025
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Continental Breakfast
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM – Welcome, Safety Moments, and Introductions
Kick off the retreat with a warm welcome, important safety reminder, and introductions to set the stage for an engaging day. This session will help establish a collaborative environment and set the tone for deep, meaningful discussions.
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Morning Sessions: Ignite Talks, Group Activities, Panel Discussions, and Fireside Chats
Engage in dynamic sessions covering essential topics like Career Planning & Support, Influence Beyond Authority, Self-care & Mental Health, Crucial Conversations & Setting Boundaries, and Hiring & Managing Diverse Teams. These sessions cater to leaders at all stages of their careers, offering insights to both emerging leaders and those with decades of experience looking to refine their approach and mentor the next generation.12:00 PM – 12:45 PM – Lunch
12:45 PM – 4:30 PM – Afternoon Sessions: Ignite Talks, Group Activities, and Panel Discussions
Continue the momentum from the morning with more engaging discussions and interactive activities. Whether you're an experienced leader looking for fresh perspectives or an emerging leader aiming to grow, these sessions are designed to spark new ideas and hone leadership skills in a supportive environment.
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM – Closing & Action Plans
Conclude the retreat by reflecting on the key takeaways from the day. Participants will work together to create actionable plans that can be implemented in their organizations to foster personal and professional growth.
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Sponsored Closing Dinner
Wrap up the day with a celebratory dinner in historic Scottsdale. This relaxed, informal setting provides the perfect backdrop to reflect on the day’s learnings, solidify relationships, and celebrate the progress made during the retreat.
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Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Discounted Hotel Room Block Coming Soon
General Info
U2030 ENERGIZE Retreat
April 8-9, 2025
Event Venue
The 2025 ENERGIZE Retreat will be held at the iconic Hotel Adeline in Scottsdale, AZ. The discounted room block link is coming soon.
Tickets
U2030 Member Tickets
As a U2030 member company, you receive six event tickets that can be used for either the SPARK Annual Meeting or the U2030 ENERGIZE Retreat. Additional member benefits include:
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Unlimited Individual Logins to the U2030 Collective Brain Platform with access to member-only resources
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Unlimited Participation in Virtual Centers of Excellence Meetings
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Discounts on Advisory Services
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Leadership and Professional Branding Opportunities
Not sure if your company is a member or want to review your membership benefits? Please email Marlene Rosenberry at mrosenberry@utility2030.org for assistance.
Non-Member Tickets
Interested in attending ENERGIZE as a non-member? Please contact Mike Smith at msmith@utility2030.org for details on how to participate.
Join us at U2030 and take full advantage of the opportunities to grow, lead, and make an impact in the utility industry!
Trying to Decide Which U2030 Event to Attend?
U2030 is hosting two distinctive events in 2025: the U2030 ENERGIZE Retreat and the U2030 Annual SPARK Meeting.
Member companies receive six tickets each year that can be used flexibly for either event or split between both, allowing different attendees to participate based on their needs.
2025 Theme: Leading with Confidence &
Heart
Date: April 8-9, 2025
Location: Adeline Hotel, Scottsdale, AZ
ENERGIZE Retreat
Focused on personal growth and well-being, our ENERGIZE Retreat helps leaders strengthen their internal foundation to enhance their Impact.
Theme: Rethinking Priorities: Bold Utility Leadership
Date: September 15-17, 2025
Location: Edgewater Hotel, Seattle, WA
SPARK Meeting
Designed to equip attendees with transformational leadership strategies to overcome external challenges, SPARK empowers participants make a greater impact.
I am very impressed by the scope and professionalism of the event (U2030 Future-Think-a-Thon), and by the diverse and thoughtful leaders, you assembled to sharpen our thinking about the challenges facing the utility sector. It was a pleasure to meet and work with you, and I am excited to attend the next event!
Dave Kohn, Deputy Commissioner, City of Chicago, IL