2022 Agenda

Renaissance Foyer

READY TO ROLL: Conference Registration Check-In
Check in early at our self-serve kiosks to get your name badge and conference learning journal and bag. Early registration check-in is recommended for attendees departing on an early morning Tuesday tour.

ROLL IN STYLE: T-Shirt Sales
Purchase an exclusive 2022 conference t-shirt (limit of 2) for $25 to roll in style after the conference. Credit cards only. Available while supplies last.

INFORMATION ROLL OUT: Info Desk
Stop by the information desk with any questions. The staff there are ready to roll out the answers, resources, and more.

ROLL ON OVER: Hospitality Lounge
Relax in the hospitality lounge in the Renaissance Foyer courtesy of Burns & McDonnell. Complete your experience by grabbing a luggage tag for your rolling suitcase.

CAMERA ROLL: Professional Headshots
Use the app to make an appointment for a professional headshot courtesy of C. J. Hughes Construction. Appointments will be available Tuesday 8 AM – 4 PM and Wednesday during breaks and meals. Your headshot will be emailed to you within 5 business days.

Renaissance Foyer

Check in for your tour or activity in the Motor Lobby. Look for your tour lead (name and photo can be found at the bottom of the tour description) holding a sign for your tour. Your tour lead will check you in and you can board the bus. You must have your conference name badge to board the bus, so make sure you stop by the conference check-in in the Renaissance Foyer first.

Pre-registration required | Check-in: Motor Lobby 7:00 AM - 8:45 AM

Tree Trimming Academy Tour | 7:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Capacity: 48
DTE Energy, in partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 17, opened a Detroit-based tree trimming academy in April 2021. The DTE | IBEW Tree Trim Academy offers an unparalleled, six-week Line Clearance Tree Trimming (LCTT) training program, equipping graduates with the career-readiness preparation, safety training and tree trimming skills needed to move into IBEW Local 17’s LCTT apprenticeship program pipeline. During this tour, class will be in session. Attendees will see the instruction in progress, which includes classroom instruction, an outdoor training course where students can practice tying knots and climbing trees, and actual trimming in partnership with the City of Detroit’s Rouge Park, where the city permits the use of 1,500 acres of forestry. In tandem with the City of Detroit’s Mayor’s Office and in collaboration with Focus:HOPE and Detroit at Work, the DTE/IBEW Tree Trim Academy inclusively recruits talent from Detroit and metro-Detroit’s diverse, eager workforce to fill the area’s ever-growing demand for Line Clearance Tree Trimmers.

Please note: long pants and closed-toed shoes required. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour.

Blue Water Energy Center (BWEC) Tour | 7:30 AM – 12:15 PM | Capacity: 22
Attendees will tour the newest DTE generating asset, the Blue Water Energy Center. Participants will see the equipment and operation up close and ask questions of the team members who are at the facility on a daily basis. The facility has 2 GE 7HA.02 combustion turbines, 2 GE/Alstom designed HRSGs, a single GE D602 steam turbine and a full Mark Vie control scheme. The site can start up in under nine minutes, ramp at 100MW/min and achieve a full load of 1,150MW.

Please note: long pants and work boots required. Tennis shoes will not be permitted. A hard hat, safety glasses, high visibility vest, and gloves will be provided. The tour will require walking and climbing stairs. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour.

Fermi II Nuclear Power Plant Tour | 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Capacity: 32
Take a behind-the-scenes look at a fully functional operating DTE Nuclear Power Plant. The tour begins in the Nuclear Training Center’s Auditorium with a safety message regarding the tour and an overview presentation of how the plant works. Attendees will then be split into groups to visit the Hi-Bays and the Simulator. The Hi-Bays are the maintenance hands-on training zones where mock-ups of actual plant equipment help the maintenance personnel conduct just-in-time training and training for first-in-a-while or first-time equipment conditions. The simulator is an exact replica of the actual control room and is where the operators conduct regular training. The tour will end with a visit to the cooling towers, with the option to walk the hot basin canopy (approximately 100’ high with incredible views).

Please note: long pants and closed-toed shoes required. Attendees will need to be physically fit to climb the stairs for the hot basin canopy portion of the tour. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour.

Training & Development Center (TDC) Tour | 7:45 AM – 12:30 PM | Capacity: 58
Attendees will travel to the DTE Training & Development Center for a tour that will include a pole climbing demonstration, bucket truck rescue, and a flow of electricity demonstration. The pole climbing demo will include watching a DTE employee ascending and descending a pole safely and putting line hose on an overhead conductor. The bucket truck rescue will demonstrate all the steps required when rescuing an injured employee from a bucket truck. The flow of electricity demonstration will show the flow of electricity from the overhead conductor to the underground transformer to a residential house, which will require several volunteers to close overhead switches and operate underground equipment during the demonstration. The audience is both electric and natural gas utility attendees.

Please note: long pants and closed-toed shoes required. PPE is required and will be provided. The tour will be held inside/outside; inside is air-conditioned, but in a workspace with higher temperatures due to equipment. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour.

Golf Outing $40 | 8:30 AM Shotgun Start
The Energetic Women Conference Golf Outing is a 9-hole shotgun scramble at the Rouge Park Golf. Sandwich and beverages are included. Transportation provided. Club rentals are available for $50.

Participating in golf limits your availability to do a pre-conference tour; you will be available to attend a pre-conference session that afternoon.

No refunds for cancellations. The deadline to sign up for golf is June 1.

Solar Presentation Onsite at O’Shea Solar Park | 8:00 AM – 10:15 AM | Capacity: 28
The presentation will include an overview of the O’Shea solar array and battery energy storage system (BESS), pending the completion of the BESS scheduled for June 2022. The discussion will include the evolution of solar systems, pollinator initiatives, multi-faceted approach to siting, DTE’s journey to net zero, and the details surrounding O’Shea being a MI Green Power contributor.

Please note: long pants and closed-toed shoes required. A hard hat, safety glasses, and a high visibility vest will be provided. There is not a restroom available. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour.

DTE Laboratories (DELAB) Tour | 8:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Capacity: 28
DTE Laboratories has a long history of delivering value-added services to ensure the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of DTE assets. Established in 1913, DELAB is comprised of 18 distinct labs, dedicated to providing diverse analytical and technical services to DTE, and in 2019 the team moved into a new state-of-the-art facility. DELAB scientists, engineers, and technicians are experts in water chemistry, materials, regulatory compliance, lubrication, fuels, cathodic protection, and specialty testing. The various labs that are housed in this new facility test water quality, emissions, oil, etc. to support key internal customers such as environmental, power plants, renewable energy, and distribution operations. These labs work with their internal customers to provide predictive maintenance data, troubleshooting assistance, or ensure regulatory compliance, among other things. Tour attendees will stop in some of the key labs to discuss what that team does and how they support their internal customers.

Please note: long pants and closed-toed shoes required. Safety glasses will be provided. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour.

Gas City Gate Rebuild Tour | 8:15 AM – 1:00 PM | Capacity: 23
Attendees will visit Consumers Energy’s Rochester City Gate rebuild, where gas pressure is regulated for safe delivery to homes and businesses. Attendees will learn about how a gas city gate operates, how a regulator works, standards for city gate construction, and view construction methods on the site.

Please note: long pants and closed-toed shoes required. PPE is required and will be provided. The tour will be held outside. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour. Lunch will not be provided, so please plan ahead.

System Operations ESOC Tour | 8:30 AM – 10:15 AM | Capacity: 28
The ESOC building is a state-of-the-art facility that houses DTE’s system operations team, who is responsible for monitoring the electrical grid. The team is comprised of system operators, dispatchers, and engineers who work collaboratively to ensure the reliability of the electrical grid.

Please note: long pants and closed-toed shoes required. No graphic t-shirts or baseball hats permitted. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour.

Pre-registration required; space is limited

Introduction into Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Criteria and Sustainability | Ambassador Ballroom Salon 1
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria are driving significant regulatory change and influencing business and investment decisions in all sectors and industries, from local governments and manufacturers to transportation and utilities. ESG and sustainability will be or already is a part of our daily operations as energy providers. This panel will not only provide real-world energy company sustainability/ESG planning approaches, but will also shed some light on climate initiatives and carbon accounting.

Digital Transformation and the Utility Industry | Ambassador Ballroom Salon 2
Digital Transformation is a popular and buzzworthy phrase in the utility sector. The future of energy is digital. This session will highlight what utility and contractor companies are learning through their digital transformation efforts. Participants will gather lessons learned on agile techniques for innovative solutions, leadership engagement for sponsorship success, and business adoption for sustainability. Panel members will take questions from participants about their digital transformation journey after a brief introduction and sharing session.

Journey to Zero Incidents | Ambassador Ballroom Salon 3
In 2015, the American Petroleum Institute (API) published API RP 1173, the Pipeline Safety Management System Recommended Practice. Most recently in May 2019, AGA committed that all member companies will implement a Safety Management System (SMS) within the next three years. This panel of three MEA members will share their unique journeys of SMS implementation, including the challenges and opportunities presented along the way. They will then host an insightful discussion from attendee’s experiences.

Leave It Better Than You Found It – Building Better Benefits Workshop | Richard A & B
Learn how a traditionally conservative Midwestern energy company expanded their benefits to be more inclusive of all family types and situations. This interactive session will walk through two employee-led business cases: (1) changing maternity leave of 6-8 weeks and paternity leave of 2 weeks to 6 months paid leave for the birthing parent and 4 months paid leave for the non-birthing parent and (2) adding domestic partner benefits. Attendees will be encouraged to think through issues at their companies as we share our process to build better benefits for all.

Motor Lobby

Step into a world where past innovations fuel the imagination of generations to come. A vibrant exploration of genius in all its forms, Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation allows you to experience the strides of America’s greatest minds while fully immersing yourself in their stories. Step inside the bus where Rosa Parks took a stand by taking a seat. Play pilot as you explore flight innovations, starting with the Wright brothers’ achievements, or make yourself at home inside Buckminster Fuller’s circular Dymaxion House. Put yourself in the place of all movers and shakers who blazed the trail to where we stand today.

Pre-registration required; space is limited | 42 Degrees North

Join us to network while you sweat (sweatworking!) at the Xtreme Hip Hop step class taught by Victoria Moore, Consumers Energy. Steps will be provided.

To participate in this walk, please add this session to your personal agenda. If your schedule or plans change, please remove this from your personal agenda.

6:00-7:00 PM
Get your day rolling by joining fellow attendees and senior leaders and industry executives on a walk along the scenic Detroit RiverWalk. This walk will be approximately 2 miles.

Walking path will start at GM Plaza heading east to Cullen Plaza. Continue east by entering the Milliken State Park Wetlands, and complete the loop through the wetlands twice and head back west to GM Plaza.

Participating Executives:

• Rich Asiyanbi (Vice President, Operations), Nicor Gas – Southern Company Gas
• Ashley Babcock (VP Indiana and Ohio Gas), CenterPoint Energy
• Tremese Davis (VP Operations), Nicor Gas – Southern Company Gas
• Deanna DeGarmo (Director Energy Services Support), Consumers Energy
• Julie Hegedus (Executive Director of Energy Services), Consumers Energy

• Christa Markgraff (Vice President, Gas Operations), Southern Company Gas

6:30-7:00 PM
Get your day rolling by joining fellow attendees and senior leaders and industry executives on a walk along the scenic Detroit RiverWalk. This walk will be less than 1 mile.

• Catherine Hope (General Manager, Transmission Siting, Permitting, and Public Engagement), Duke Energy

Renaissance Ballroom

Renaissance Foyer

READY TO ROLL: Conference Registration Check-In
Check in early at our self-serve kiosks to get your name badge and conference learning journal and bag. Early registration check-in is recommended for attendees departing on an early morning Tuesday tour.

ROLL IN STYLE: T-Shirt Sales
Purchase an exclusive 2022 conference t-shirt (limit of 2) for $25 to roll in style after the conference. Credit cards only. Available while supplies last.

INFORMATION ROLL OUT: Info Desk
Stop by the information desk with any questions. The staff there are ready to roll out the answers, resources, and more.

ROLL ON OVER: Hospitality Lounge
Relax in the hospitality lounge in the Renaissance Foyer courtesy of Burns & McDonnell. Complete your experience by grabbing a luggage tag for your rolling suitcase.

CAMERA ROLL: Professional Headshots
Use the app to make an appointment for a professional headshot courtesy of C. J. Hughes Construction. Appointments will be available Tuesday 8 AM – 4 PM and Wednesday during breaks and meals. Your headshot will be emailed to you within 5 business days.

Renaissance Ballroom

8:00 AM – 8:45 AM | Kickoff & Welcome

• Tonya Berry (Senior Vice President of Transformation and Engineering), Consumers Energy
• Joi Harris (President and COO DTE Gas), DTE Energy
• Amanda Ward (Director of Gas Ops Strategy, Programs and Tools), Consumers Energy

8:45 AM – 10:00 AM | Opening Keynote | The Hero Effect® | Kevin Brown
Kevin has a simple philosophy when it comes to leadership. He believes that you are “a leader of one or a leader of none.” He believes that leadership begins with mastering self along with the daily habits required to become world-class leaders, mentors, and coaches to the teams we live and do business with. The foundation of this program can be summed up in one powerful idea…we reproduce what we are!

The role of leadership in an organization is to create an environment where people can be the best version of themselves.

The program is designed to help attendees:

• Create an environment where people are inspired to be the best version of themselves and deliver world-class performance to the people they serve.
• Develop a team of people that are committed, focused and on fire for the brand they are helping to build.
• Design and deliver an organizational obsession statement that drives high performance and a world-class customer experience.

More on Kevin Brown.

Renaissance Foyer

Stop & Shift; A Mental Exercise to Reset Your Mindset |  Ambassador Ballroom Salon 1
We all know that life is full of ups and downs. And not only is it hard to stay positive when the pressures of work and life are so demanding, it’s easy to get caught up in negative thoughts and emotions that swirl around in our minds. This can lead to poor decision-making and a general feeling of being out of control. What if you could train your brain to respond thoughtfully with care? Spoiler alert: you can. Stress and setbacks make it tough to keep your head in the game. When the pressure is on, you need a go-to tool that can help you rise to all of life’s challenges. Stop & Shift is that tool. This mental training technique provides a new map for your mind so that you can make decisions from a place of strength instead of stress. Attendees will learn how to:

• Build resilience and use hardships as launching pads for growth.
• Create space from negative thoughts and emotions so they can approach challenges with confidence and make productive decisions from a place of composure and clarity.
• Cultivate joy, inner peace, grit, and other mindful behaviors to prevent burnout.

Information on breakout speaker, Karen Allen.

Mastering the Art of Negotiation | Ambassador Ballroom Salon 3

Information on breakout speaker, Val Grubb.

168 Hours; Succeeding at Work and Life, 24-7 | Richard A & B
Ever wonder where the time really goes? In this talk, time management expert Laura Vanderkam discusses strategies for making the most of your time, both professionally and personally. Leave with practical tools for figuring out priorities, creating a smart schedule, embracing flexibility, and building in space — so you can feel less busy while getting more done. Laura will help you rethink how you spend your time within the priority categories of self, relationships, and career.

Information on breakout speaker, Laura Vanderkam.

Your Leadership Legacy | Ambassador Ballroom Salon 2
You will walk away from this session with equal parts inspiration and actionable tools. Prepare to understand your leadership opportunities, make informed decisions about your career path, and arm yourself with the skills to create your own leadership legacy — all to ensure that you make the impact you want to make through your everyday actions.

Information on breakout speaker, Jacqueline Baker.

Renaissance Ballroom

100% Human; 3 Guideposts for a Human-Centric Culture | Renaissance Ballroom
You’re probably familiar with the expression “people are your most important asset.” But what does that mean in practice? How do you create a workplace that supports employees’ well-being and growth? 100% Human is here to help. This session offers a roadmap for how to create a thriving workplace culture where your people flourish. Attendees will learn how to:

• Build an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and excited to contribute to a mission bigger than themselves.
• Cultivate a growth mindset to improve your communication, develop other members of your team, and build a culture of trust.
• Integrate wellness into your operating strategy without breaking the bank or sacrificing productivity.
• Empower your team so they feel valued as individuals and also deeply connected to the company mission.

Information on breakout speaker, Karen Allen.

Influencing Without Authority | Ambassador Ballroom Salon 3
Getting stuff done in the office can be challenging, even under the best of circumstances. Everyone has their own priorities and deadlines. And, to be successful, your projects may require assistance from employees who don’t work for you. Being able to influence people through communication, engagement, persuasion, and relationship-building is essential for the rising leader, particularly when leading organization-wide initiatives. In this highly interactive workshop, we’ll review strategies to help you ‘influence without authority’ for your projects and your career.

Information on breakout speaker, Val Grubb.

168 Hours; Succeeding at Work and Life, 24-7 | Richard A & B
Ever wonder where the time really goes? In this talk, time management expert Laura Vanderkam discusses strategies for making the most of your time, both professionally and personally. Leave with practical tools for figuring out priorities, creating a smart schedule, embracing flexibility, and building in space — so you can feel less busy while getting more done. Laura will help you rethink how you spend your time within the priority categories of self, relationships, and career.

Information on breakout speaker, Laura Vanderkam.

Working Across Different Work & Leadership Styles | Ambassador Ballroom Salon 2
In support of an ever-changing work world, it is essential that you are tooled with the skills and confidence-building techniques to work across multiple work styles, personalities, and leadership approaches. You will leave this session prepared to embrace and elevate your approach and commitment to being an impactful and memorable leader, intentionally.

Information on breakout speaker, Jacqueline Baker.

Renaissance Foyer

Renaissance Ballroom

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could go to a website that had perfect people on it that we could work with and live with? The only problem with that website would be the fact that we wouldn’t be on it. We all have something that someone else is tolerating. Being Unoffendable begins with realizing our shortcomings to make space for other people’s.

Pre-registration required; space is limited | 42 Degrees North

Join us to network while you sweat (sweatworking!) at the Xtreme Hip Hop step class taught by Victoria Moore, Consumers Energy. Steps will be provided.

6:00-7:00 PM
Get your day rolling by joining fellow attendees and senior leaders and industry executives on a walk along the scenic Detroit RiverWalk. This walk will be approximately 2 miles.

Walking path will start at GM Plaza heading east to Cullen Plaza. Continue east by entering the Milliken State Park Wetlands, and complete the loop through the wetlands twice and head back west to GM Plaza.

Participating Executives:

• Ashley Babcock (VP Indiana and Ohio Gas), CenterPoint Energy
• Stephanie Hoff (Director of Communications), Otter Tail Power Company
• Maeve Mason (Utility Strategy Director), Duke Energy

• Michelle Rust (Director, Gas Field Engineering), NiSource, Inc.

6:30-7:00 PM
Get your day rolling by joining fellow attendees and senior leaders and industry executives on a walk along the scenic Detroit RiverWalk. This walk will be less than 1 mile.

• April Edwards (Director Asset Design), Duke Energy

Renaissance Ballroom

Renaissance Ballroom

Renaissance Ballroom

Renaissance Foyer

Renaissance Ballroom

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Closing Keynote

Own Your Swag: Amplify Your Personal Brand to Uplevel Your Influence and Impact | Mimi Brown
You have a personal brand, whether you realize it or not. It determines your effectiveness at work, the quality of the assignments you receive, your ability to get promoted and even how you’re compensated. Your personal brand is a key element that drives your personal and professional success. The magic is knowing how to effectively highlight your unique value, contribution, and expertise to get what you want!

This high-energy, engaging, and practical session pulls back the curtain on how to successfully develop and convey a strong, authentic, and memorable personal brand—while effectively persuading and positively influencing others.

At the end of this session you will be able to:

• Identify and articulate your SWAG factor and how it enhances your professional credibility
• Leverage your SWAG and use it to create new opportunities in your career
• Learn how to authentically project your value, contribution and expertise so others take notice

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Closing Remarks & Prizes