Katelyn Leahy Barb

In a field where blending in often feels safer than standing out, this talk empowers women in energy engineering to lead by example—not imitation. It explores how soft skills like courage, communication, and collaboration are tools not only for career advancement, but for cultural transformation. By lifting others, embracing nontraditional roles, and telling our stories, we illuminate new paths for the next generation.

We don’t make space by becoming smaller. We expand the space by showing up fully—and making it safe for others to do the same.

The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) and fleet electrification presents opportunities for energy engineers to optimize building energy consumption and grid management. This session will explore the impacts of EV charging on energy systems and focus on efficient strategies for integrating charging infrastructure. It will also address the distinct approaches needed for collaboration with investor-owned utilities (IOUs) and public power utilities, with an emphasis on planning and demand management, such as off-peak charging.

Attendees will learn the importance of collaboration across utilities, contractors, EV manufacturers, and funding sources to ensure successful implementation. The session will also cover policy and operational adjustments, including fleet schedule revisions and employee engagement, that are critical for sustainable electrification. Participants will leave with actionable strategies for balancing energy demand and advancing fleet electrification initiatives.