At Itron Utility Week 2019, we once again celebrated the women who contribute their time and talent to the utility and smart city industries. Showcasing the power of community, the annual Women in Utilities Reception celebrated women at the forefront of our industry who are driving transformation and creating lasting change.

The reception began with opening remarks from Lynda Ziegler, who has served on the Itron Board of Directors since 2013. Lynda joined the board after a 30-year career at Southern California Edison, where she held various executive-level positions including senior vice president of customer service and executive vice president of power delivery services. During her remarks, Lynda shared her personal journey as a female leader in the industry.

Lynda was then joined by Dave Deyager, senior manager of smart metering and network operations at BC Hydro, and Itron’s own Marina Donovan, vice president of global marketing and public affairs. The panel discussed how to build a culture of gender equality, diversity and the importance of mentorship programs. This was the first year a man was a panelist, and Dave provided great insight on how men can be a part of the trend in supporting women in leadership in our industry.

The event highlighted that by coming together as a community, we can create real change in the industry.