Hannah Heath shared some insights into her career journey and how the Women in Renewables scholarship helped pave the way.
After a short, pandemic-fuelled, hiatus the Women in Renewables Scholarship is back.
Hannah Heath, 2020 recipient of the Clean Energy Council’s Women in Renewables, Australian Institute of Company Directors (CEC WiR AICD) Scholarship, shared with us some insights into her career journey and how the scholarship helped pave the way for success.
What inspired you to apply?
Taking the next step in your career should always feel like you are stretching yourself.
Applying for this scholarship felt like a good way for me to do that.
I was at a point in my career where I was ready to extend myself and was searching for the best way to do that. The Clean Energy Council scholarship offered both the theory, in the form of the AICD course, and the practical, through the partnering with a Clean Energy Council Board Member mentor. This seemed like a great combination for me. The professional exposure and networking opportunities arising from it were also particularly relevant!
How has this scholarship impacted your career?
Receiving the award in 2020 led to a step-change in my career in three significant ways.
The course provided invaluable insights for me in my (then) role as Chief Strategy Officer for Nectr. I became more confident in my ability as a leader and I was better equipped to support the Board in their strategic, risk-based decision-making. The experience has powerfully impacted my professional path since.
My mentor has been pivotal in my professional development. I have learned an enormous amount from her as she has generously shared her experiences with me. In particular, she helped me hone my problem-solving skills, which I was immediately given the opportunity to implement with the arrival of COVID and the professional and personal challenges that presented.
The confidence and business acumen I gained from the formal training and professional development empowered my next career move. I joined ECG , where I have established a successful and growing strategy, risk and compliance practice. The move has furthered the impact I have in supporting clean energy growth in Australia.
What would you say to someone who is hesitant to apply?
You don’t know what you’re truly capable of until you try. Put yourself out there. Give it a go!
I was unsuccessful the first time I applied for the scholarship. Yet, the constructive feedback from the Clean Energy Council selection committee gave me valuable direction. I was able to take the right steps so that when the scholarships next came around, I was exactly where I needed to be.
You will learn so much about yourself just by preparing the application.
It will force you to think about what’s important to you and why you want to be a business leader in clean energy. And that will help empower you to take control of your career and leadership journey. Good luck!
In its sixth year, the AICD scholarship supports a female employee within a Clean Energy Council member company or accredited installer to undertake the AICD Foundations of Directorship course. Applications are open until 23 November 2022.
Learn more and apply here.