AGENDA - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16th
8:00 AM REGISTRATION ~ CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
9:00 AM GCPA Welcome: Kim Casey, Executive Director, Gulf Coast Power Association
Conference Welcome: Marty Hopkins, Eversheds Sutherland & Alicia Rigler, Invenergy
9:15 AM PRESENTATION - Quantifying the Challenge
Providing a foundation for policy discussion and a yardstick for change, Dr. Gregory will review gender and sexuality data that illustrates many societal inequities for women, which have only been magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaker: Dr. Elizabeth Gregory, Taylor Professor of Gender & Sexuality Studies and Director of the Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality, The University of Houston
10:00 AM STRUCTURED NETWORKING ACTIVITY
10:20 AM KEYNOTE - Meeting the Challenge
As if leading their companies through a pandemic weren’t challenge enough, Winter Storm Uri presented the toughest event most Texas utility executives have ever faced. The CEO of the largest electric cooperative in the country will share her experience and insights from these uncommonly extraordinary times.
Keynoter: Julie Parsley, CEO, Pedernales Electric Cooperative
10:45 AM NETWORKING BREAK
11:30 AM KEYNOTE - Accepting the Challenge to Shape the Future
A veteran of public service in the electric industry, Commissioner Cobos has joined the Commission at a pivotal moment. We are thrilled that she will make her first GCPA speaking appearance as a commissioner at our emPOWERing Women Leadership Conference.
Keynoter: Lori Cobos, Commissioner, Public Utility Commission of Texas
12:00 PM LUNCHEON
1:15 PM PRESENTATION - Challenging Times
"We don't have any idea why we're doing most of the things we're doing" is the familiar intro to Two Guys on Your Head, a weekly segment on Austin's NPR station, KUT Radio. Renowned University of Texas at Austin psychologists, Dr. Duke and Dr. Markman, and the show's creator and host, Ms. McInroy, will help us understand what's going on in our minds, something we've been wondering more and more about as we maneuver through the evolving pandemic.
Presenters:
Dr. Robert Duke, Marlene and Morton Meyerson Centennial Professor in Music and Human Learning, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Art Markman, Vice Provost of Continuing and Professional Education and New Education Ventures, The University of Texas at Austin
Rebecca McInroy, Executive Producer, Two Guys on Your Head, KUT Radio
2:00 PM STRUCTURED NETWORKING ACTIVITY
2:45 PM PANEL - Taking On a New Challenge: Leveraging Technology & Digital Transformation for Career Success
Digital technology is part of every business and every role today—from customer experience to meters to analytics anywhere, anytime—making us more efficient and more effective. But the rapidly evolving technology space comes with its own set of challenges. As energy professionals, how can we leverage technology to be more impactful in today’s digital world? How can we take advantage of challenges to differentiate ourselves and our companies? Join us as we discuss how to leverage technology and digital transformation for career success.
Moderator: Donna Benefield, Sr. Vice President & Chief Program Officer, NRG Energy
Panelists:
Candice Ferrales, Strategy & Consulting Managing Director, Accenture
Angela Lee, Client Partner, Pragmatic Communications
April Pinkston, Director of Strategic Administration and Transformation, Oncor
3:30 PM NETWORKING BREAK
4:00 PM PANEL - Up for a Challenge: C-Suite Roundtable
Our ever-popular session is back with a slate of executives ready to share their experiences and perspectives, including insight and lessons learned from over a year of novel challenges.
Moderator: Barbara Clemenhagen, Vice President, Market Intelligence, Customized Energy Solutions
Panelists:
Deanna Rodriguez, President & CEO, Entergy New Orleans
Natalie Smith, President, GridLiance
Randa Stephenson, Chief Commercial Officer, LCRA
Maura Yates, CEO, Mothership Energy Group
5:00 PM COCKTAIL RECEPTION