WRISE Los Angeles

?? WRISE Los Angeles is hosting our final event of the year with a "holiday lights cruise" in Newport Beach! This boat tour on Friday, December 6th, is a unique way to experience the holiday lights of Newport Beach and enjoy the beautiful coastline. The cruise tours the "amazing light displays and holiday décor of bay front estates and landscapes competing in the 'Ring Of Lights' competition. Millions of lights and elaborate decorations transform Newport Bay into a magical holiday experience. Holiday Lights Cruises tour the bay viewing these amazing displays along with many of the boat parade entrants also touring through Newport Bay." This end of the year party will bring together our community one last time this year to celebrate all that we've accomplished, as well as discuss where we'd like to grow in 2025. Members, non-members, family and friends are welcome to join this fun end of the year celebration! The $40 ticket for this event includes the holiday cruise, plus light appetizers and drinks on board (complementary soft drinks and one optional alcoholic drink). More arrival and parking directions available on the Eventbrite page. Snag your ticket here: https://lnkd.in/gWadumx9

Saturday’s "Rise with WRISE" hike was a success! Thank you to everyone who joined us and enjoyed the perfect weather and awesome ocean views in Pacific Palisades ??

WRISE LA's programming and initiatives are the work of our volunteer Board of Directors. To introduce the people behind the scenes of our local chapter, we've asked each of the board members to respond to a few questions. Today, we're introducing you to Alena Geffner-Mihlsten, our Legal Director. ?? Tell us a little about yourself. I’m a senior attorney at NextEra Energy Resources in the solar and battery storage project development team. I mainly negotiate commercial agreements on behalf of NextEra Energy Resources with utilities. I live in Culver City. ?? What got you into renewable energy? I’d always been passionate about the environment and wanted to start working in an area that felt like a net positive to the environment and the world. I started taking on renewable energy projects and loved it. Ultimately, I made the choice to focus on renewable energy and loved the companies and projects that I worked on. ?? What is your background? I majored in physics and math before going to law school and I love the science behind clean energy. As a lawyer, I worked in corporate law for a while before transitioning into renewable energy. ?? What keeps you going on the days when it feels like you are only banging your head into a wall? I try to remind myself that my job is to get a deal done and that everyone around me has the same goal. We ultimately want the same thing, so there's going to be a path forward, it just may require some additional creativity. Sometimes I need to take a break to find that creativity. I’ll get away from my computer or phone and do something unrelated to the issue at hand. Other days, when I’m banging my head at the wall, I’m able to keep in mind that I’m usually able to start carving out small chunks of progress (which turn into large pieces) and that, ultimately, gets me to my goal. ?? What are some of your most fulfilling accomplishments in your career? Having answers or opinions grounded in experience when people come to me with questions is an amazing feeling. I also love when a project hits commercial operation. Each time that happens, I feel as if I’ve built the project myself. ?? What do you want to share about WRISE LA? I love that WRISE LA is focused on supporting women in Los Angeles in the clean energy field, be it with casual or structured mentorship. I also love that there's a lot of casual events where people, including myself, can go to just make friends and form connections. I've met some really amazing people through WRISE LA and they've supported me through my career, which I'm very grateful for.

Final reminder for this Saturday's Rise with WRISE hike in Pacific Palisades! Join us on November 9th at 10am for our final walking/networking event of the year, this time with ocean views ?? Read more and RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gUaeYkzY

We're excited about our final Rise with WRISE hike of the year, Saturday November 9th in Pacific Palisades ? This morning hike series (which not-so-secretly doubles as an excellent networking event) has been one of our most popular events this year, so we're going out with a bang! This hike will have ocean views and great company. Looking forward to seeing you there, read more and RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gqpz9SvC

WRISE LA's programming and initiatives are the work of our volunteer Board of Directors. To introduce the people behind the scenes of our local chapter, we've asked each of the board members to respond to a few questions. Today, we're introducing you to Michelle Belacic, our Program Director. ?? Tell us a little about yourself. I am a Project Manager in commercial solar for Revel Energy. I live in Inglewood, CA in an adorable little house that was built in 1927. ?? What got you into renewable energy? When I moved back to California in 2009, I was at loose ends. A girlfriend of mine suggested I volunteer at GRID Alternatives and learn how to install solar. I did and was hooked. I loved the technical aspect of solar… and producing your own energy is just so cool! ?? What is your background? I have a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and, after college, spent years working in all sorts of different fields - construction, coffee shop owner, motorcycle mechanic, I even did a stint at the South Pole working in the kitchen. It wasn’t until I became involved with solar energy that things really “clicked”. Since then, I have worked in all aspects of solar from site surveying, to design, to inspections and interconnection and eventually project management. It’s challenging at times, but I really love what I do. ?? What keeps you going on the days when it feels like you are only banging your head into a wall? Even on the worst days, I feel like - at the very least - I have made the world a slightly better place. ?? What are some of your most fulfilling accomplishments in your career? I project managed (and helped install) the rooftop and carport PV system at the Santa Monica City Services Building. It’s not a huge system, but at the time, it was one of the most complicated jobs I had worked on. I still smile every time I drive by it on the 10 freeway. The other project is currently in the works - it’s a 1.4 MW solar rooftop, carport and battery system. There are a lot of moving parts, but it’s going to be so amazing once it’s completed. ?? What do you want to share about WRISE LA? This is such an amazing group of women and advocates - both locally and nationally. I am so honored to be on the board and I greatly enjoy meeting the members and other women and advocates who attend the events.

We had a great time at last night's event "CONVERGENCE: Growing your career, company, and community in Climate & Renewables" ?? WRISE LA's Chapter President, Mabell Garcia Paine, shared her experience alongside panel speakers from Terra.do, Green Jobs Board, and Black Girl Environmentalist. A big thank you to our host talisman for bringing together the event! We enjoyed speaking to all of the climate and renewables professionals that were there last night. Looking forward to seeing you at other WRISE LA events soon!

If you're building your career, company, or community at the intersection of climate, renewables, and environment, don't miss this event! Join us and LA Climate Week on Thursday, September 12th, from 6-9 pm at our HQ in Los Angeles for an inspiring evening of discussions and networking. We’re proud to host a panel of thought leaders who are shaping the future of work in climate: ? Andrew Harris - Founder/Managing Partner, Talisman Advisory Partners ? Kristy Drutman - Co-Founder, Green Jobs Board ? Mabell Garcia Paine - Chapter President, WRISE Los Angeles ? Elsa Mengistu - Director of Programming, Black Girl Environmentalist ? Nishant Mani - Advisor, Terra.do Don’t miss this opportunity to hear their stories, insights, and tips on succeeding in our industry. Enjoy light refreshments, sunset views, and good vibes! Reserve your spot today: https://lu.ma/s3n56f26 #LosAngelesEvents #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #CleanEnergyJobs #RenewableEvents #LAclimateWeek

If you're building your career, company, or community at the intersection of climate, renewables, and environment, don't miss this event! Join us and LA Climate Week on Thursday, September 12th, from 6-9 pm at our HQ in Los Angeles for an inspiring evening of discussions and networking. We’re proud to host a panel of thought leaders who are shaping the future of work in climate: ? Andrew Harris - Founder/Managing Partner, Talisman Advisory Partners ? Kristy Drutman - Co-Founder, Green Jobs Board ? Mabell Garcia Paine - Chapter President, WRISE Los Angeles ? Elsa Mengistu - Director of Programming, Black Girl Environmentalist ? Nishant Mani - Advisor, Terra.do Don’t miss this opportunity to hear their stories, insights, and tips on succeeding in our industry. Enjoy light refreshments, sunset views, and good vibes! Reserve your spot today: https://lu.ma/s3n56f26 #LosAngelesEvents #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #CleanEnergyJobs #RenewableEvents #LAclimateWeek

We're excited to share that WRISE LA's Mabell Garcia Paine will be speaking at "CONVERGENCE: Growing your career, company, and community in Climate & Renewables" on Thursday, September 12th. Hosted by talisman, this event will also feature speakers from Terra.do, Green Jobs Board, and Black Girl Environmentalist, each sharing stories and insights from their work in climate, renewable energy, and environment. Register today (there is limited capacity!) to join us on the rooftop of Talisman HQ in Venice on September 12th: https://lu.ma/s3n56f26