Loading Events

« All Events

  • This event has passed.

Elevating Diverse Suppliers: Strategies for Growth and Connection

03/10/2025 , 8:30 AM–1:30 PM MST

Event Details

Interested in sponsoring and supporting this training? Find more information here!

Awards 0.4 CEUs / 4 PDHs (Click for more info)

AESP is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). AESP complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognized internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices. As a result of this accreditation, AESP is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. AESP instructors disclose in advance that they have no interest in any product, service, or material discussed during the course. This information is stated orally and in the training course handbook.

Join us for our third annual engaging and interactive pre-conference training dedicated to diverse suppliers, where learning is a two-way street. You’ll gain valuable insights from industry experts while sharing your own experiences, challenges, and successes. This session is designed to foster meaningful connections, provide practical resources, and address common hurdles. By the end of the training, you'll leave with a deeper sense of belonging in the industry, a stronger voice, and an expanded network of peers. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting out, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to drive your business forward.

Why Diverse Suppliers Matter Now More Than Ever

Supplier diversity is not just about representation—it’s about innovation, economic strength, and long-term industry resilience.

At a time when conversations around diversity are more politically charged than ever, many companies are hesitant to engage or unsure of how to evolve their approach. But the reality is clear: diverse suppliers fuel growth, drive competition, and introduce fresh perspectives that help companies thrive in the clean energy space.

At AESP’s 2025 Supplier Diversity Training, we’ll dig into:

  • Why supplier diversity still matters in today’s political climate
  • How diverse suppliers create value beyond quotas or mandates
  • Strategies to ensure your supplier diversity approach is both impactful and sustainable

This is not just another training. This is a critical conversation about the future of our industry. If you’re serious about building a supply chain that reflects where energy is headed, you need to be in this room.

Agenda:

  • 8:30am-8:45am - Welcome and Icebreaker
  • 8:45am-9:45am - 101: What is the energy industry? Who are we? What do we do?

Building the clean energy industry is key to helping mitigate climate change and facilitating the necessary decarbonization of our energy supply. And the growth opportunities in the energy sector are endless. To succeed as an industry, our supplier base and everything we do must reflect the same diversity as our customer base. Building relationships with diverse suppliers helps us engage a wider range of suppliers, which means we harness innovative ideas and processes, gain a competitive advantage, and assist in building community infrastructure through employment and training. The purpose of this Energy Industry 101 session is to get you through the first hurdle, what is the energy industry, and how, to whom, and to what is it delivered.   

Speakers: Pamela Fann (Integrated Solutions) and Elizabeth Freeman (Reap Energy)

  • 10:00am-11:00am - 201: How do you fit in? What are the different tiers of contractors? Why should you be here? What resources are available to you?  

This session will address how your company can engage with the clean energy industry. Who are the implementors? How can you engage with them? How can your product or service fit into this industry? Along the way we will break down common challenges and resources to address them – including guidance on accessing funds through contracts and grants. 

Speakers: Scott Alan Davis (SEEL) and Paul Douglas (The JPI Group)

  • 11:15am-12:15pm - 301: Hands-on Technical Workshop 

Attendees will walk through a typical RFP and how to submit a proposal that meets technical qualifications. Speakers will provide participants with insights on typical procurement processes to gain a better understanding of how to do business with utilities. 

Speakers: Ashley Santor (Doer/Maker), Angie Ostaszewski (SEEL), and MJ Jones (Resource Innovations)

Attendees will: 

    • Learn about the procurement processes in large utilities.  
    • Review different solicitation documents such as scopes of work and contract terms and conditions.  
    • Hear about best practices in developing procurement responses. 
    • Network with other suppliers interested in working in the clean energy space.
  • 12:15pm-12:30pm - Wrap Up and Final Thoughts
  • 12:30pm-1:30pm - Lunch and Networking

Who Should Attend?

This pre-conference training is tailored for diverse suppliers who are eager to establish or strengthen their presence in the clean energy industry. Whether you’re an experienced business owner looking to navigate utility procurement processes or a newcomer exploring how your services or products fit into the energy sector, this session is for you.

Recommended for:

  • Business owners and leaders from diverse backgrounds interested in clean energy opportunities.
  • Emerging suppliers seeking a better understanding of the energy industry and its procurement processes.
  • Established contractors looking to expand into utility and energy sector partnerships.
  • Professionals from businesses offering products or services that could support the energy transition.
  • Anyone interested in networking with peers and industry leaders in the clean energy space.

This training is especially valuable for those who want to learn actionable strategies for breaking into the energy industry, securing contracts, and building meaningful industry relationships.

        Speakers

        Pamela Fann

        Pamela Fann

        Founder & CEO, Integrated Solutions

        Pam, an award-winning diversity specialist, is the Founder and CEO of Integrated Solutions, an energy services company that focuses on energy efficiency project implementation, workforce development, and civic engagement. They develop frameworks to implement the cultural competency necessary for successful, equitable, and sustainable program and project development. Their mission is to promote an equitable energy economy that positively impacts lives and supports community advancement.

        Pam has a degree in Marketing, a Human Resource Management certification, and is a Certified Cultural Diversity Professional and Trainer (CDP, CDT). She also holds a certification in Understanding Diversity and Inclusion from Purdue University.

        Pam served on a diversity board for more than 7 years with The Coca-Cola Company. Currently serves on the boards and advisory boards for Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP), Forth Mobility, Georgia Tech SCoRE, E Source Equity Board, Greenlink Analytics, Behavior, Energy, and Climate Change Conference, Four Corners Group, Women of EVs, Diversity Executive Leadership Academy, and Strategic Energy Innovations. She also is a lead author for the Energy Equity Project, served as an SME for Drawdown Georgia, RCE Atlanta Advancing Justice for All, and Community of Practice committees, and serves as on the JEDI Advisory Board for the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

        Elizabeth Freeman

        Elizabeth Freeman

        Founder, Reap Energy

        Elizabeth Freeman has supported the Utility Demand Side Management space for over 16 years. Starting out as a program manager for residential programs she learned quickly the value of a good program design that maximizes reach and impact within the regulatory structure. Since then Elizabeth has supported strategic program development at consulting firms (Resource Innovations, Ecova) a lighting manufacturer (Current powered by GE), an ESCO (Engie Services) and an international engineering firm (AECOM). She is an industry expert in decarbonization programs. Recognizing the need for focus on accessibility to EVs within utility programs, Elizabeth started Reap Energy in fall of 2024. Reap Energy is an emerging voice on EV program design focused on ensuring all customers have access to charging and the benefits of transportation electrification. Elizabeth brings a ton of enthusiasm, passion and camaraderie. Elizabeth resides in Philadelphia, PA. An empty nester, she spends her evenings with her 2 pups and cat.

        Elizabeth has a master’s degree in public administration from Portland State University focused on conflict resolution in public policy. Rare is the time that economic interests align with what is good for the environment. It is the case with electric vehicles. Let’s reap the rewards.

        Scott Alan Davis

        Scott Alan Davis

        Vice President of Inclusion and Economic Development, SEEL, LLC

        Scott Alan Davis is a native Detroiter whose career has span throughout community development specifically focuses on holistic community planning and development as well as capacity building. In 2013, Scott joined Solutions for Energy Efficient Logistics (SEEL), LLC as Outreach and Marketing Manager. While at SEEL, Scott has held several titles with vast responsibilities. In August 2021 he was promoted to Director of Energy Access and Equity. He has served on several boards and community action committees; he is a mentor to several young professionals, youth, and returning citizens. He is committed to supporting all communities and does it through a diversity, equity and inclusion lens and serves on various national committees in this capacity. Scott is committed to using all his gifts to support and build strong communities.
        Paul Douglas

        Paul Douglas

        President, The JPI Group

        Paul Douglas, with his groundbreaking leadership at The JPI Group, is revolutionizing the integration of labor analytics into the clean energy sector's strategic framework. As President of this award-winning firm, Paul oversees nationwide initiatives that help states, utilities, clean energy program implementors, and small businesses with dynamic, data-driven solutions to address the industry’s most pressing challenges.

        The JPI Group stands as an industry beacon in the deployment of innovative workforce data solutions, directly responding to the labor shortages that threaten the clean energy and utility sector's’ growth and sustainability. With experience extending beyond the energy sphere, Paul has held pivotal roles in the technological, automotive, and construction industries where he has been instrumental in implementing large-scale workforce strategy initiatives that drive efficiency and advancement.

        With over 20 years of experience in workforce strategy, Paul has championed the development of a comprehensive workforce model, meeting both the current needs serving as a blueprint for the future, anticipating shifts in the industry and preparing the workforce to meet those changes head-on. His expertise was crucial in providing concept papers that support many of the guidelines within the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), particularly those concerning contractor training and workforce development.

        Paul’s strategic vision is bolstered by his unwavering commitment to equity for all. He believes that the future of the clean energy sector hinges on its ability to use labor force data in our communities to bridge the wealth gap, create higher-paying opportunities, and foster the growth of (Minority, Women, Veteran, and all historically underrepresented human) owned businesses. JPI's mission, reflective of Paul's ethos, is dedicated to not only meeting the evolving demands of the industry but doing so through a lens that uplifts communities and drives inclusive progress.

        Ashley Santor

        Ashley Santor

        Founder/Chief Strategist, Doer/Maker

        With more than fifteen years in marketing, Ashley Santor brings a depth of experience and expertise to Doer/Maker and the clients we serve. As the strategic lead, Ashley inspires teams of creative, media, and management professionals to create marketing programs and platforms that break through to the target audience and generate real business results. Doer/Maker is a WBENC certified woman-owned creative marketing agency with a specialization in energy and sustainability. They have worked with utilities, global manufacturers, and product companies; software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies; state agencies; and other sustainable and energy-focused companies to solve problems and make the impossible possible.

        Doer/Maker’s work with utilities includes Consolidated Edison (Con Edison), National Grid, PECO, Delmarva, Atlantic City Electric, Pepco, Ameren IL, and ComEd to deliver energy efficiency programs, make digital tools more accessible, communicate complex value propositions like demand response programs, communicate with equity and empathy to vulnerable customers in need, and build and nurture relationships with trade allies and market actors.

        The Doer/Maker team has been delivering residential, trade ally, and commercial energy efficiency, new energy solutions, and brand communications for utilities for the past 15 years.

        Marvelene "MJ" Jones

        Marvelene "MJ" Jones

        Head of Procurement and Supplier Inclusion, Resource Innovations

        Marvelene Jones is the Head of Procurement and Supplier Inclusion at Resource Innovations, with responsibility for the oversight and strategy of procurement. In her role, she also leads the strategy and implementation of the organization’s commitment for inclusion of diverse suppliers within the procurement processes. As an advocate for diverse suppliers, it is her goal to ensure that diverse suppliers are included, when applicable, in all contracting opportunities.

        As a seasoned procurement professional with a career spanning over two decades, Marvelene is known for optimizing complex supplier strategies, maximizing operational excellence, and building equitable supplier relationships through advocacy and partnership. Throughout her career, she has held positions with General Motors Locomotive Group and Exelon Corporation.

        Before joining Resource Innovations in May 2022, she served as a Principal Category Manager for Exelon Corporation, where she managed and led the Procurement strategy for numerous categories across six Exelon Utilities, including, but not limited to: HR Consulting, Financial & Business Consulting, Marketing & Advertising, Travel & Lodging, Office Services, Freight and most recently Energy Efficiency. Through her leadership and advocacy, her team increased diverse supplier engagement and spend by 50%.
        She holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.

        Angie Ostaszewski

        Angie Ostaszewski

        Director of Strategy and Innovation, SEEL, LLC

        Bio coming soon...

        Sponsored By

        Details

        • Date: 03/10/2025
        • Time:
          8:30 AM–1:30 PM MST
        • Event Category:

        Venue