Speaking Engagements
Building a Diverse Clean Energy Workforce in Texas
November 19, 2024
Catherine McLean moderated this panel in Austin, Texas at Intersolar & Energy Storage North America Texas alongside Ruchi Singh at ENGIE, Darien Clary at Austin Independent School District, Emma Garcia Purvis at Solar Austin, & Craig Overmiller at St. Philip’s College. Shoutout to the partners & sponsors for making this conference possible including: Cleantech San Diego, Clean Coalition, Solar Power World, POWER magazine, pv magazine Global, Solar Energy Manufacturers for America (SEMA) Coalition, NABCEP and North American Clean Energy.
Transitioning to a New Role in Clean Energy
October 11, 2024
Catherine McLean moderated a panel at Women of Renewable Industries & Sustainable Energy (WRISE)’s sold out Leadership Forum in D.C. alongside LaTisha Phillips at Onyx Renewable Partners L.P., Bri Hamilton at Javelin Capital, & Stephanie Bosh at Solar Energy Industries Association! Transitioning into a new role can be challenging, whether that involves changing industries or companies, a promotion, or changing disciplines. That journey looks different for all of us. This panel focused on finding the right role & embracing the change & uncertainty that comes with new opportunities. It also highlighted recent success stories & lessons learned.
Thank you to the sponsors for making #WRISE2024 possible, including: American Clean Power Association (ACP), RWE, The AES Corporation, SoCalGas, DNV, CleanCapital, Summit Ridge Energy, Arevon, Pattern Energy Group, Vineyard Offshore, Tetra Tech, Clearway Energy Group, EDP, Primergy Solar, National Grid, Invenergy, OW Ocean Winds, Sol Systems & Solar Energy Industries Association.
Overcoming Gaps in the U.S. Solar Supply Chain To Increase Clean Energy Production & Job Growth
September 10, 2024
Dylan Green’s CEO, Catherine McLean moderated a panel at RE+ in Anaheim that was focused on how gaps in the U.S. solar supply chain can be overcome to increase clean energy production & job growth. The session featured John Smirnow at Smirnow Law & Arielle Brown at Wacker. UtilityDive featured this session & Green Light podcast episode due to the panel’s unique insights provided on domestic solar supply chain & manufacturing strategies.
John Smirnow & Arielle Brown spoke with Catherine about the Polysilicon Coalition that they’re making advances through, alongside REC & Hemlock. While the U.S. is making strides in domestic module manufacturing, there’s currently an oversupply of foreign polysilicon & other necessary solar components due to trade policies abroad. John & Arielle shared the latest updates on U.S. solar manufacturing, recent guidance on the IRA, & where we’ll be seeing the greatest job growth in the domestic solar industry in the coming years. Read the full UtilityDive article here:
Onshore Wind Development Challenges, Co-Founding a Wind Development Firm, & Tips For Building a Diverse & Inclusive Workforce
May 29th, 2024
Dylan Green’s CEO, Catherine McLean, spoke with Kenneth Labeja, CFO & Co-Founder at Triple Oak Power, at the American Clean Power Association (ACP)’s PowerCasts stage at the Cleanpower conference. Mr. Labeja shared his insights on onshore wind development challenges, what it was like to co-found a wind development firm, & tips for building a diverse & inclusive workforce in clean energy. Listen to the full episode:
Pine Gate Renewables’ Women's Impact Network (WIN) ERG Session: Career Development
March 27, 2024
Dylan Green’s CEO, Catherine McLean, was invited to speak at Pine Gate Renewables’ Women’s Impact Network (WIN) Employee Resource Group (ERG) session focused on career development. For more information on Pine Gate Renewables’ myriad successful people and culture programs, including its work toward greater pay transparency, listen to this Green Light Podcast episode featuring Eric Shangle, Senior Vice President of People and Culture:
Past 2023 Events Below
The Future of the Solar Workforce
November 2023
Our CEO, Catherine McLean, recently spoke on the Future of the Solar Workforce panel at Chesapeake Solar & Storage Association (CHESSA)’s Solar Focus event. She spoke alongside experts from Civic Works & Got Electric – Kelly Brooks-Hailey, Simón Zimmer & Grant Gotlinger, about how solar companies can prepare to meet guidelines in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as well as reach critical milestones to deploy solar energy at scale. The panel took place on November 16th at the Lord Baltimore Hotel.
Looking for your next role in clean energy? Take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings. If you’re a clean energy employer and need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, send Catherine McLean a message directly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinemclean1/
How to Talk Money at Work
September 2023
Women in Cleantech and Sustainability (WCS) hosted a professional development event focused on helping women build their negotiation and pay conversation skills. Our CEO, Catherine McLean, led sessions alongside Ashley Smith, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at AES Corporation, Zoë Gamble Hanes, President at CleanChoice Energy, A.J. Dale, Director of Talent Acquisition at Copia Power, and Pamela C. Sammarco, CEO at Green Training Associates. During this workshop, attendees had the opportunity to work on live money conversations and discuss challenges related to new job salary negotiations, as well as pay raise and pay equity conversations.
The primary purpose of this event was to elevate women’s skills in pay conversations and negotiations. This was achieved through sessions that focused on pay equity and workplace compensation trends; two executive spotlight interviews; skill building handouts; and two breakout sessions where attendees discussed their own live money conversation challenges.
Looking for your next role in clean energy? Take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings. If you’re a clean energy employer and need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, send Catherine McLean a message directly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinemclean1/
Building Better Climate Tech: Recruiting, DEIJ & HR Strategies for Success
May 2023
Catherine McLean, CEO of Dylan Green, spoke alongside Tatiana Height, Director of DEI at American Forest Foundation, Quionna Allen, CEO Caldwell Allen Consulting and Beth Gullette, Chief People Officer at Well, during a webinar focused on recruiting; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEIJ); and HR strategies for success in the rapidly growing climate tech industry. Topics included salary negotiation tips, and how to prevent pay disparities and promote greater diversity and inclusion within an organization. Watch the full webinar here: https://bit.ly/46WSfkW.
If you’re a cleantech employer and need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr. If you’re looking for your next role in cleantech, take a look at these industry-leading clients’ latest job openings.
Past 2022 Events Below
Veterans Advanced Energy Project's Veteran Resource Group Roundtable
December 2022
Dylan Green’s CEO recently spoke at the Veterans Advanced Energy Project‘s Veteran Resource Group Roundtable last week, which is a new virtual forum for military veterans and military spouses working in cleantech to have a space to share resources, best practices, and build community. It’s incredibly important that we uplift our veterans in a way that sets them up for success. With the green transition well underway, there’s a major opportunity to capitalize on the careers our industry can provide. Their time in the military has provided vets with highly transferable leadership skills like effective communication, adaptability, and problem-solving that prove to be invaluable to companies in a growing industry. 94% of employers say that hiring a veteran is appealing to their organization, and with the IRA expected to create 9 million jobs over the next decade, it’s an opportune time to develop a diverse staff with a unique set of skills. Apply to join the VRG today: https://bit.ly/3G7ViLY.
Shoutout to companies like Siemens, American Electric Power, Minnesota Power, Dominion Energy, Con Edison, Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas & Electric, National Grid, DTE Energy, and many more, for exemplifying exceptional veteran support through their resource groups, fellowship programs, scholarships, and fundraisers.
Find your next career in this impactful industry with Dylan Green’s stellar clients. Learn more about their open positions and apply: bit.ly/3htChpY. Alternatively, if you’d like to onboard more diverse talent for your team, please reach out to Catherine McLean directly through LinkedIn
CEO of Dylan Green Hosts GRIT Awards
October 26, 2022
Dylan Green’s CEO, Catherine McLean, co-hosted the 6th annual GRIT Awards & Best Energy Workplaces ceremony with Katie Mehnert and Tom Weirich, presented by ALLY Energy, on Oct. 26th. The ceremony celebrated the outstanding winners of the GRIT & lifetime achievement award winners, including Chairman & CEO of Baker Hughes, Lorenzo Simonelli; CEO of EAG, Elizabeth Gerbel; Executive Vice President & Group President at Sempra, Kevin Sagara; & Mayor Sylvester Turner. Shalanda Baker, the Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) was the Keynote Speaker for this event.
This award program recognizes Growth, Resilience, Innovation, & Talent (GRIT) amongst for-profit & non-profit organizations that also encourage a more just, equitable, diverse & inclusive culture. Event sponsors included ChampionX, Baker Hughes, Ovintiv, & Southwestern Energy. bit.ly/3RMLr1B
Eager to advance your cleantech career? There are several new opportunities spanning a variety of disciplines with our mission-driven clients! View recent job openings: bit.ly/3htChpY.
Breaking into Sustainability Careers
January 13, 2022
Catherine spoke alongside cleantech leaders like Shanta Eaden, Johanna Haggstrom & Beth Offenbecker, at Women in Cleantech & Sustainability’s ‘Breaking Into Sustainability Careers’ virtual event on Thursday, January 13th! If you’re not quite sure where to start in the cleantech industry, start here, as WCS brings together cleantech executives that share insights on breaking into the industry: https://bit.ly/Sustainability-Careers.
Looking for your next role in cleantech? Take a look at our client’s latest openings, from development to communications to sales: https://bit.ly/dg_jobs.
Please find the link to the video recording here: YouTube: https://
Past 2021 Events Below
The Future of Cleantech Jobs
September 24, 2021
The Green Summit, a two day hybrid event taking place in San Diego featuring leaders in renewable energy, cleantech, science, and sustainability, sharing their vision for a cleaner more sustainable future.
Speakers come from varied backgrounds including, renewable energy, electric vehicles, solar technology, finance, sustainable product development, transportation, and job growth, and will each be giving a 30-minute presentation about their respective industries.
The goal of this event is to educate people about the latest trends in renewable energy and cleantech, so that they can support businesses that are working to create a more sustainable future, as well as bring more awareness on a local, national, and international level about San Diego and its leading tech and renewable energy companies.
Post-Pandemic Energy Employment & Economic Recovery
August 2, 2021
How to Build a Winning Climate Tech Marketing Team
Thursday 22nd July, 2021
We invited leading climate tech marketers and those who find and place talent into climate tech marketing roles to share their expertise and experience with you on…
- How are CMOs building their climate marketing teams? Who is typically a first marketing hire for climate tech companies?
- How important is diversity, equity and inclusion for climate tech marketing teams, and where do you find candidates from diverse backgrounds?
- When to work with an agency vs. to build in-house?
- What’s different about hiring for climate tech than any other industry?
- How important is industry experience to junior roles, mid-level and senior roles?
- What is some practical advice for marketers who want to work in climate tech?
Hosted by climate tech marketers Bettina Grab and Melanie Adamson, Alder & Co., our webinar will feature these expert panelists:
- Lisa Magnuson, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Bloom Energy
- Safiyyah Khan (she/her), VP Marketing, BlueWave Solar
- Catherine McLean, Founder & CEO, Dylan Green
Join us 10 a.m. PT, 1 p.m. ET, July 22, 2021, online for an exchange of strategies and tactics for building winning climate tech marketing teams.
Each registrant will receive the recording, takeaways, and event chat after the webinar.
Opportunities for Women Environmental Leaders in the New Green Economy
Wednesday 21st July, 2021
Please join Environmental Law Institute WELL for a special Event
Join ELI’s Women in Environmental Law and Leadership (WELL) initiative and expert panelists in a discussion on the role of women in the development of the environmental movement —and looking at the current opportunities for women in the emerging “green economy”; specifically, critical environmental and climate change policies under the Biden Administration and the Administration’s “green jobs revolution.” A short networking opportunity will follow the panel discussion.
Featuring Panelists:
- Beth Deane, Moderator, Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Leeward Renewable Energy, San Francisco, CA
- Jordan Diamond, Executive Director of the Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment (CLEE) at the UC Berkeley School of Law
- Alicia Taylor, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), Safer Consumer Products Program
- Catherine McLean, Founder and CEO at Dylan Green
What: Opportunities for Women Environmental Leaders in the New Green Economy
When: Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Location: Zoom
Time: 4:00-5:15 pm PT / 7:00-8:15 pm ET
RSVP: salinas@eli.org by July 20th, 2021
Harvard Alumni for Climate & the Environment (HACE) Career Transitions: Personal Story Development Workshop
July 13, 2021
I’m looking forward to speaking about how to successfully transition into a climate-focused career alongside Anand Gupta, Heidi Lim, Aldís Elfarsdóttir, Lucille H. & Naz Beykan at this event sponsored by Harvard University tonight! If you’re considering, or actively pursuing, a career switch into clean energy & environmental work, it’s not too late to register for this event: https://bit.ly/2U7dY9j.
Financing Through Disasters: Wildfires, Winter Storms and Whatever's Next
Thursday 24th June
In California, Texas, and across the entire country, the clean energy sector has been challenged by natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking ahead, how should we finance projects and build risk into agreements to prepare for this reality? This #SEIAFinTax session will cover recapture risk, lessons learned, and how banks and investors can structure deals to prepare for unforeseen events.
Speakers: Catherine McLean, Gary Blitz, Asha Gandhi, Laura Jones, Lee J. Peterson, Esq., Michael Galea
Register to join the Seminar on June 24 in NYC:
Clean Energy & Career Opportunities
Wednesday 5th May
“Looking forward to speaking about clean energy trends & career opportunities alongside Nicole Steele, Janine Finnell, Emily A Beck, CSDP & Erin N. Mayfield tomorrow as part of Council on Women in Energy & Environmental Leadership (CWEEL) & Association of Energy Engineers‘ Career Advancement Webinar Series!”
Clean Energy Leadership Institute's Career Next Steps & Finding Your Mentor.
Friday 16th April
Discovering & Placing Diverse Candidates in Clean Energy
Wednesday 28th April
“Looking forward to speaking at the Cleantech Leaders Roundtable (CTLR) event next Wednesday, May 5th, at 8:30 pm ET about discovering & placing women & Black & Indigenous people of color in clean energy!
Founded by Jigar Shah, Jacob Susman, Ari Raivetz, Thomas King & other prominent cleantech executives & investors, CTLR promotes fellowship among business leaders in sustainability. CTLR’s programs include networking events to facilitate collaboration among C-suite executives, along with communications to promote the positive economic impacts of clean energy & dispel media inaccuracies. Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN) members will now have access to CTLR events. Contact Lynn Abramson at her email for details.
*This event was rescheduled from April 28th to Cinco de Mayo due to the State of the Union address.
ALLY Energy's Making the Job Transition to New Energy: an Open Discussion
Thursday 15th April
Charli Matthews (Empowering Brands), Sarah Derdowski (CU Denver GEM Program), and Catherine McLean (Dylan Green) created space for a deep-dive of an Open Discussion centered around what it will take to transition roles and skills to new energy jobs. Lots of candid conversation was had surrounding the challenges of women leaving the workforce, transitioning various roles across different sectors in energy, and how to keep all voices and talent engaged.
Harvard Alumni For Climate and the Environment's Career Transitions.
Wednesday 24th March
Please join us for a conversation about energy roles, public and private, with David Hochschild (California Energy Commissioner), Nate Berner (Co-Founder of Deep Green Solar), and Catherine McLean (Founder of Dylan Green Recruitment). And as per audience feedback, attendees are welcome and encouraged to stay tuned in for an extended Q&A followed by a networking breakout session. Not yet a member? Join HACE at www.harvardclimate.com.
Past 2020 Events Below
American Council on Renewable Energy's Opportunities and Challenges in Corporate DEI Hiring Programs
Friday 11th December
Interested in learning more about diversity, equity & inclusion hiring program best practices? Join Vince Plaxico of Recurrent Energy & our resident expert, Catherine McLean, who will provide real world examples & experiences to help your company improve DEI hiring & employee engagement. Register for this free American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) event by contacting Colleen Pickford.
SunCast Career Summit's D&I Hiring in Action Panel.
Tuesday 1st September
Women's Environmental Network Making Waves: Finding Your Employment Niche
Thursday 27th August
With all we’re going through these days, it’s a tough time to consider getting a job — or even promoting yourself. Join WEN as we talk to leaders in recruitment and hiring for government, environmental policy, and healthcare. This networking event will give you the tools you need to clarify your search and leverage your stories to launch the career you’ve always wanted – even during an economic downturn.
Leaders in Energy's Jobs for a Just, Equitable & Green Future
Thursday 27th August
Learn about new deep green jobs from Justine Burt, author of “The Great Pivot: Creating Meaningful Work to Build a Sustainable World. Hear from Martin Ogle, Founder of EntrepreneurialEarth, LLC on how ALL CAREERS are needed to intentionally create a green/sustainable economy; get tips on green hiring opportunities from recruiters, and from those working in green jobs.”
WRISE Webinar - Navigating the clean energy market amid Covid-19
Tuesday 25th August
This webinar panel will focus on navigating the clean energy job market during a pandemic and will touch on a few key questions: How to find a job (especially during COVID)? How has the pandemic changed the job landscape? What are Human Resources departments and Recruiters looking for? How do they search for and find people? How to navigate the process as a woman/woman of color? How to onboard virtually?”
New England Women in Energy and the Environment (NEWIEE)
Tuesday 26th May
Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to make a change, these are complex times to begin a job search. Join NEWIEE for a Lunch & Learn session on Tuesday, May 26th from 12 -1 pm for expert advice and insights from professional recruiter Catherine McLean, CEO and Founder of Dylan Green.
WRISE - Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy
Wednesday 20th May
Catherine McLean, Founder and CEO of Dylan-Green will be hosting a Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE)
Virtual Meetup. Career Talk: applications, resume and LinkedIn tips and engaging with recruiters.
Clean Energy Leadership Institute
Thursday 23rd April
Join CELI & Georgetown University McDonough School of Business next Thursday (4/23) for a Careers in Clean Energy Panel and Networking Event. We’re thankful to have panelists share their advice and experiences in the clean energy economy, including Wendy Hado, Nick Thorpe, Claudia Garavini John Izevbigie and many more. Specific questions on breaking into clean energy for the panelists or Catherine McLean CEO and Founder of Dylan Green.
Women’s Energy Network
Tuesday 28th April
Please join WEN- D.C. for a great conversation with Beth Offenbacker, PhD – Executive/Leadership Coach & Consultant at Waterford Inc. and Catherine McLean, Founder and CEO of Dylan-Green as they provide advice on job searching during a recession, points and primers for resume building, and tips for conducting a remote interview.
Women’s Bar Association
Thursday 23rd April
Interested in a Green Career in Renewable Energy? Join Beth Offenbacker and Dylan Green’s Catherine McLean on Thurs Mar 26 at 12pm for “Business Hour: Terrific Tips from Top Energy Career Coaches.”
Hosted by the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia’s Energy and Environmental Law Forum, and co-sponsored by the Environmental Law Institute, Clean Energy Leadership Institute, WGR Energy, Environment & Agriculture Task Force, and DC Bar Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources.