Why register?
As the renewable energy industry continues to evolve, women across engineering, operations, and leadership are playing a critical role in driving innovation and accelerating the global energy transition. This Women in Engineering Day, LVI Associates brings together influential voices from across the sector to discuss career growth, industry trends, and the importance of building more inclusive workplaces.
What you'll learn:
- Current talent and hiring trends within renewable energy
- Career journeys and leadership insights from industry professionals
- Skills and experiences that drive long-term career growth
- How companies can better attract and retain female talent
- What candidates should look for when evaluating employers
- The importance of diversity and inclusion in the energy sector
Meet the Speakers
Staci Schwartz, VP of Human Resources, Primergy
Staci Schwartz leads people and culture at Primergy, bringing more than 20 years of human resources experience with a deep background in the energy sector. She is passionate about creating environments where employees feel supported, challenged, and empowered to show up as their authentic self at work. Staci takes a people-first approach to HR leadership, with a focus on growth, connection, and building teams that do great work together. Primergy is a developer, owner, and operator specialising in utility-scale solar PV, battery storage, powered lands, and large load projects across the United States.
Ayanna Hendking, Substation Project Manager, Lightsource bp
Ayanna Hendking is a results-driven Substation Project Manager at Lightsource bp with over a decade of experience leading the design and implementation of high-voltage renewable energy infrastructure. She has successfully managed 69kV-230kV substation projects and renewable interconnection sites valued at $4M-$20M, coordinating seamlessly with utilities, EPCs contractors, and regulatory agencies to deliver compliant and cost-effective solutions. A U.S. Air Force veteran with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology, Ayanna brings deep technical expertise in power systems design, SCADA systems, and digital project management tools, combined with a passion for mentorship and advancing diversity in STEM fields. Beyond her engineering accomplishments, she actively supports youth in STEM education initiatives, demonstrating her commitment to community impact and the next generation of engineers.
Moderator
Hanna Ito, Executive Director - US Renewable Energy & Power Recruitment, LVI Associates
Hanna Ito is an Executive Director at LVI Associates, specialising in recruiting top engineering talent across the renewable energy and power delivery markets in North America.
She brings 8+ years of experience in the recruitment & client management practise. In her role, she supports the growth of critical infrastructure and clean energy projects across the US by partnering closely with clients and candidates nationwide to build high-performing teams.
During her time at LVI Associates, Hanna has successfully filled 213 roles across 78 unique clients across North America. Her clients include engineering consultancies, EPC firms, renewable energy developers/owner/operators, and traditional utilities and cooperatives. She currently is based out of the greater NYC area.
