Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy recently added three accomplished professionals to its Board of Directors: Johnelle Brown, Zoe Berkery, and Melissa Elkinton. Their appointments mark a strategic move to strengthen the organization’s long-term vision at a pivotal moment for the clean energy industry.
Each of these leaders brings a wealth of experience across the clean-energy sector spanning operations, project development, and corporate leadership. They share a deep commitment to advancing gender equity and building a more inclusive and resilient future.
The new board members will help shape WRISE’s strategic direction, expand its national footprint, and deepen its impact through advocacy, leadership development, data leadership and community engagement.
Johnelle Brown serves as operations chief of staff and vice president of operations at the American Clean Power Association (ACP), where she contributes to operations strategy and execution at the nation’s leading multi-technology clean energy trade association. With a career spanning more than 15 years in operations, human resources, and leadership, Brown has demonstrated a consistent commitment to inclusive workplace cultures and equity-centered initiatives.
“I’m honored to join the WRISE board as it marks 20 years of advancing women in our industry,” Brown said. “The stakes are high — we must all show up to uplift and create not just more space, but truly equitable opportunities for women. I’m humbled to serve and help drive this vital work forward.”
Zoe Berkery, chief operating officer at CleanCapital, brings her expertise in asset management, HR, and operations to the board. At CleanCapital, she oversees the company’s clean-energy asset fleet and drives innovation to scale solar and energy storage deployment.
“I’m honored to join the board of WRISE at such a critical moment for our industry,” Berkery said. “WRISE’s mission to advance resilient, inclusive, and sustainable energy solutions aligns deeply with my own commitment to accelerating the clean energy transition. I look forward to working with this exceptional team to help drive innovation and equitable growth across the clean energy sector.”
Melissa Elkinton, vice president of development and managing member at Belltown Power, brings more than two decades of experience in wind- and solar-energy development. Known for her leadership in energy resource assessment and development at companies such as Avangrid Renewables and DNV, Elkinton is a long-time WRISE supporter, mentor, and advocate for gender-diverse professionals in energy.
“I’m thrilled to join the WRISE Board at such a pivotal time,” Elkinton said. “Over the past 20 years, watching WRISE embrace diversity and extend its reach across the broader renewable energy and sustainability sectors has truly been inspiring.
I look forward to learning from the incredible WRISE staff and Board — and working relentlessly together to empower all women.”
“As our industry faces uncertainty and rapid transformation, strong, committed and visionary leadership is more critical than ever,” said Doseke Akporiaye, executive director at WRISE. “Johnelle, Zoe, and Melissa reflect the strength, diversity, and strategic thinking we need to guide our next phase of growth and ensure our impact endures for the next 20 years and beyond. I am excited to welcome them and look forward to partnering with them and the rest of the WRISE Board to ensure we continue to serve and advocate for our community and the larger industry.”
WRISE has been at the forefront of empowering women in the clean energy industry through education, leadership development, stakeholder engagement, and community-building for over two decades. This board expansion reinforces the organization’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its community while staying focused on long-term, systemic change.
WRISE will be hosting its flagship Conference, the WRISE Leadership Forum, October 14-15, 2025. The forum expects to surpass the previous year attendance of more than 800. Individual memberships and company partnerships are likewise growing. There are now more than 47 active chapters across the United States and Canada.
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