DEI Champion Award

In 2022, Geothermal Rising introduced the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Champion Award as the newest addition to the annual Honors and Awards that are given out to industry leaders. The focus of this award is to recognize individuals creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for historically excluded groups in the STEM disciplines, especially those in which geothermal is a key factor.

DID YOU KNOW?

Scientists project that the U.S. geothermal energy will contribute to 10% of the country’s energy by 2050.

2022 DEI Champion -- Caity Smith of NREL

Some quotes from Caity's nominators:

"Caity built her geothermal career working on international projects and collaborating with people across the globe. I believe it is this history combined with Caity’s inherent leadership, communication skills, and desire for equity that have led her to be such a gamechanger for diversity in geothermal."

"Caity has and will always be a strong voice for students and young professionals, as one of geothermal’s best recruiters."

"Inspiring, strengthening, and recruiting women in the energy sector is essential for more innovative and inclusive solutions to achieve ambitious clean energy goals. NREL Project Manager Caity Smith is working to do all that and more to encourage peers and rising stars into energy sector leadership roles."

"Caity is a rock star!"

Geothermal Rising Board Member Jaclyn Urbank presents the DEI Champion Award to Caity Smith at the 2022 GRC. (Photo by L. Michael Bouyer)