This month, we profile a fantastic global initiative that has just launched their Australia New Zealand chapter: Women of EVs (WEVs)!
WEVs is a community of women+ in the electric vehicle industry who are collectively working towards the urgent need to decarbonise transport worldwide. This group has been connecting talented women since 2013 and aims to empower them to elevate themselves to every decision-making table, job site, policy-making body and factory floor. The ANZ chapter includes Drive Electric board member Kirsten Corson, and Liz Yeaman sitting as Vice Chair, who are both prominent figures within the movement to accelerate EV uptake in New Zealand.
Here, we speak with Alina Dini, the ANZ chapter lead, to gain insight into the organisation.
What is Woman of EVs (WEV)?
Women of EVs convenes female+ professionals in the EV sector. It was founded in the US by a group of women in EVs in March 2013 and is now 550+ members strong globally!
ANZ has launched its own chapter, tucked under the US HQ.
Why a chapter in ANZ?
Building on the success of WEV in the USA and the popularity of the “Top Women in EVs” segment of the EV Summit in the UK, this association fills a gap in the local market while also bringing together professionals across two regions to promote collaborative efforts.
What does WEV ANZ hope to achieve in the next 12-24mos?
WEV+ ANZ seeks to establish itself as an integral component of an international network in electric mobility. WEV will encourage diversity in the composition of events through the publication of a WEV Speaker Guide. We will promote the work of local e-mobility projects through knowledge sharing, convening topic-specific global forums.
Gatherings will be largely virtual through ultimately in-person where possible, both internationally (i.e. peak conferences) and locally (i.e. key city catch-ups).
Who is involved?
Membership currently sits at 90 women+ across Australia and New Zealand. Women are encouraged to attend, but all are welcome! The only criterion for membership is current work in the EV sector. Membership is currently free to join and discretionary.
Governance includes a single Chapter Chair and link to the USA WEV (Alina Dini), supported closely with representation from each major city in Australia and New Zealand. Over time the membership may broaden and/or include a membership fee depending on what activities our committee agrees to in future. All members are voluntary and there are currently no commercial sponsors or benefactors.
Apart from WEV HQ in the USA, the ANZ chapter is also supported by the Electric Vehicle Council of Australia and Drive Electric in NZ.
We look forward to collaborating with WEVs towards our common goal: a cleaner, better. electric future!
Want to join?
WEV ANZ is actively recruiting new members. Sgn up at www.tinyurl.com/wevsignup
