Q: Vanessa, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Can you start by telling us what it means to you to be invited to participate in the WE3 Summit's panel, "Voices of Change: Diverse Voices and Leadership Lessons for the Evolving Energy Landscape"?
Vanessa Edmonds:
Thank you! I feel truly honored to be part of this panel. Being invited to join such esteemed leaders as Linda Mattes, Nicole Denton, and Erin Christy is both humbling and exciting. We each bring different backgrounds and experiences, yet we share a joint commitment to driving change in the energy sector.
Our session, scheduled for November 14th at 2:40 PM, allows us to have authentic, open conversations about the importance of diverse perspectives in leadership, especially in an era where technology, like AI, plays an increasing role in solving challenges in utility operations and customer care.
I am passionate about ensuring we hear from underrepresented people and that innovation in leadership styles helps utilities meet today's complex demands. This panel is an extension of that mission, and I'm grateful to be part of it.
Q1: What motivates you and drives your passion for leadership in the utility sector?
Vanessa:
What truly motivates me is helping people find happiness and fulfillment, both at work and at home. I believe job satisfaction comes from the ability to make a meaningful impact—especially when it involves helping others.
We’re at a critical juncture in the utility sector, facing unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges. How we navigate these factors largely depends on our ability to embrace diversity of thought and transformational leadership. I’m deeply committed to supporting utility leaders who want to think outside the box and create environments where innovation thrives—where we invite new ideas and encourage people to lead and inspire. When people with different perspectives come together to make decisions, outcomes are better.
Q2: What role does community service play in your life and leadership philosophy?
Vanessa:
Through U2030 and my personal life, I am deeply committed to giving generously to people and communities and fostering empathy through service projects. Community engagement allows us to understand people’s unique needs and helps us develop the solutions to empower them to thrive.
U2030 members work on service projects before our in-person events. We have served communities through organizations like Habitat for Humanity (Nashville), Midnight Mission (Los Angeles), and Park Pride (Atlanta).
A recent experience that profoundly impacted me was the response from mutual assistance utility teams in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. I was moved by the dedication of those who traveled across the country, leaving their families behind, to help those in need. It inspired my husband and I to volunteer with Samaritan's Purse, clearing fallen branches from homes and yards to prepare them for FEMA pickup.
A 69-year-old Army veteran volunteer traveled 32 hours by bus from Minnesota to volunteer for five days and then made the long return trip home in the middle of the night. Being privileged to work alongside someone with such deep character and work ethic was truly inspiring. It reinforced our belief in the power of coming together and leading through service to others. We can learn so much from each other to become better people.
Q: At the WE3 panel, you'll discuss why diversity matters in an AI-driven world. Can you share more about what you plan to highlight?
Vanessa Edmonds:
Indeed, diversity is not just a nice-to-have; it's a strategic necessity, especially as AI becomes an even more significant part of the equation in the utility industry. AI systems are only as effective as the data they are trained on and, just as importantly, the people behind them. That's why we need diverse leadership teams to ensure that AI solutions reflect the diverse needs of our customers, employees, and communities.
When diverse individuals with a range of experiences develop AI, it leads to better decision-making and more equitable outcomes. It allows for human-centered solutions that address bias, solve complex problems, and drive sustainability. Without diverse leadership, AI could perpetuate existing biases or overlook essential issues, potentially harming underserved communities and creating human rights issues.
This panel addresses how diverse utility leadership teams shape AI technologies that benefit all customers, especially as we navigate challenges like extreme weather, decarbonization, and customer personalization.
Q: In your experience, how has focusing on diversity influenced your approach to customer engagement and understanding varied customer needs?
Vanessa Edmonds:
At U2030, we emphasize the importance of leadership teams reflecting the diversity of their customer base. When a team has a variety of perspectives, it can better understand the full spectrum of customer needs. This is especially true in the utility sector, where customers range from urban centers to rural communities, each with unique needs and expectations.
I often draw parallels to AI in this regard. Just as AI models require diverse data to make accurate predictions, leadership needs diverse inputs to make informed decisions. For example, designing energy or water systems that only consider the needs of urban populations would ignore rural or underserved communities.
Q: What’s a key leadership lesson you’ve learned through times of change?
Vanessa Edmonds:
Adaptability has been one of the biggest lessons I've learned. Whether in leadership or life, things change unexpectedly, and the ability to adapt is essential to our survival and happiness. For example, when the pandemic hit, we quickly pivoted U2030's operations, shifting from our original plan of in-person events to virtual platforms. It was challenging but taught me the importance of being flexible and resilient.
AI systems face similar challenges—constantly adjusting to new data sets or shifting conditions. As leaders, we must stay focused on our overarching goals and remain open to change when it comes knocking. Flexibility is vital to long-term success.
Q: How do you foster collaboration across diverse teams to ensure long-term success?
Vanessa Edmonds:
What's most important to me is creating an environment where people feel valued and heard. Having struggled with social anxiety throughout my life, I've learned how crucial it is to make space for everyone to contribute and welcome others with gracious authenticity. Inclusivity isn't just about giving people a seat at the table—it’s about ensuring they feel comfortable enough to share their thoughts and ideas.
This approach is just as crucial in AI development. Diverse teams are more likely to create adaptable algorithms and systems representing a wide range of users. By fostering collaboration across different disciplines—energy experts, environmental scientists, or sociologists—AI solutions can more effectively address the varying needs of communities.
Q: What advice would you give emerging leaders about managing diverse teams through large-scale transformation?
Vanessa Edmonds:
I’ve learned a great deal from the members of U2030, and one of the most important lessons I’ve taken away is the value of staying focused on your "North Star" while ensuring that everyone feels heard and involved throughout the process. When people have a voice in decision-making, they become more engaged and committed to the transformation. At the same time, it's crucial to maintain a clear focus on the bigger picture and guide the team toward a shared vision.
Another critical lesson is the importance of both change management and change leadership. I saw firsthand how Jody Allison successfully led Liberty Utilities’ Customer First project, a massive IT transformation. One of the critical factors in the success of this project was Jody’s emphasis on change management and change leadership using John Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model, which helped guide the team throughout.
Q: Vanessa, thank you so much for sharing your insights. Before the WE3 Summit, is there anything else you'd like to add?
Vanessa Edmonds:
I'm just grateful for the opportunity to be part of this conversation. The intersection of diversity, leadership, and AI is critical to the future of our industry, and I genuinely believe we can embrace them to create better solutions for everyone and our planet. I'm looking forward to continuing the conversation at WE3 and beyond!
Join Vanessa Edmonds at the WE3 Summit!
The WE3 panel, "Voices of Change: Diverse Voices and Leadership Lessons for the Evolving Energy Landscape," is on November 14th at 2:40 PM in Huntingting Beach, CA. For more information or to register for the WE3 Summit, visit WE3 Summit 2024: Embracing People + AI.
If you'd like to connect with Vanessa during the event, email info@utility2030.org to schedule a meeting.
For more insights, we invite you to read her article: "The Importance of Diverse Perspectives in Machine Learning & AI: A Utility Industry Perspective."
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