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Lessons from the Porch to the Boardroom: Women in Load Flexibility
June 10, 2026
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Most professionals can point to a piece of advice that has stayed with them throughout their career. It may have influenced how they approached a new opportunity, handled a difficult conversation, or made an important decision. While industries and job titles change, certain lessons continue to prove their value over time.
That idea inspired “From the Porch to the Boardroom,” a workshop hosted by the Women in Load Flexibility Affinity Group at PLMA. During the session, Dee Martir, co-chair of the group and Utility Sales Director at Edo, shared career advice gathered from women across the load flexibility industry. While each perspective was unique, several common themes emerged. We wanted to bring these valuable lessons beyond the workshop for you to read here too.
Start With You
Do not be afraid to ask for the raise or the promotion. Know the requirements of the next level and be sure to meet the qualifications. Be prepared to leave a position if they are not valuing your worth. The best way to show someone your value is with your absence!
Robyne Black · Senior Program Supervisor, Demand Response · Ameren
Fake it till you make it. I’ve learned over time that authenticity is each our greatest strength—and that this saying isn’t about being fake or inauthentic—it’s about giving yourself permission and grace to not know everything and to learn while doing.
Robin Maslowski ·Principal + Founder · Trillium Energy Consulting, LLC
How you do anything, is how you do everything. How you show up in your daily habits and how you perform even small tasks reflects your overall character. Those small tasks and details build trust with others and ultimately lead to the visibility and influence required to progress in your career.
Michaela Lewin · Senior Product Manager · Uplight
Show Up and Lead
Lead with honesty and integrity and say the things that need to be said. Your credibility builds on how consistently you do that, especially when it’s uncomfortable.
Vasudha Lathey · Vice President, Growth Initiatives · Olivine, Inc.
Keep your eye on the importance of a healthy team in group discussions and decision making. Be kind and compassionate and assume good intent while ensuring the inclusion of diverse thoughts.
Wendy Brummer · Program Manager, Demand Response · Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Stakeholder deliberation is necessarily slow because it makes space to thoughtfully consider complexity and all important perspectives. By taking the time to accommodate this step, wiser and more durable decisions almost always result.
Judy Knight · Chief Development Officer · PLMA
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.“
–George Bernard Shaw
Reiterate back communication to eliminate ambiguity.
Leigh Winterbottom · Director, Rate Marketing · ICF
Play the Long Game
Be stubborn on the vision but flexible on the details. Sometimes you have to let go of how you exactly “planned” for things to go, and just keep sight of where you are going.
Meghan Jennings · Distributed Energy Resources Administrator · Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
Get comfortable with change. Change is messy, disruptive, uncomfortable, and risky. This is something that became easier overtime, and I’ve seen benefits.
Cynthia Hunt Jaehne · Executive Director · PLMA
Stay curious, regardless of tenure and expertise. A curious mindset turns each experience into a learning opportunity, keeps us in active listening mode, and invites different perspectives to every conversation.
Stacy Noblet · Vice President · ICF