On Tuesday, July 23, interns and young professionals joined us for a conversation with Tom Weirich and Kay McCall, who shared advice on building a successful career in clean energy.

Tom and Kay discussed the award-winning book We Took the Risk and shared the stories and leadership traits behind some of clean energy’s biggest risk takers, and how to apply their lessons learned to your own career.

Following the discussion, attendees explored the various career paths available in clean energy by networking with early-to-mid-career professionals who have already navigated the early stages of their career journey. Attendees also and had the opportunity to get a free professional headshot!

The first 15 people who arrived received a free copy of Tom’s book. Weren’t one of the lucky early birds? We Took the Risk is available for purchase on Amazon, or locally at the Blue Willow Bookshop!

Thank you to all who participated in this special event!

Speaker Bio

Tom leads marketing and stakeholder relations for EDP Renewables North America (“EDPR NA”), a top five owner and operator of renewable energy in the United States. He has been a key facilitator in building collaboration and connecting key players in the global renewable energy industry for 20 years, having worked with teams that have closed over 300+ renewable energy transactions with a combined enterprise value of $70 billion.

He previously worked with two key clean energy investment banking advisory firms based in New York as Director of Marketing at Rubicon Capital Advisors and Director of Marketing & Business Development at CohnReznick Capital. Prior to that, Tom was Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations and interim Chief Operating Officer at the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) in Washington, D.C., where he managed and oversaw corporate relations and public affairs for 12 years working with key global developers, financiers and power generators.

Tom served under the Obama Administration twice in honorary roles, advising both the Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative on renewable energy trade and manufacturing policies.

As an award-winning marketing leader in the energy sector, he’s a frequent industry panel moderator, speaker and OpEd contributor, focusing on innovation, entrepreneurship and market opportunities surrounding the U.S.’ clean energy transition. Tom’s passion for renewables extends beyond the confines of his day job, with countless hours spent promoting philanthropic efforts focused on technology innovation, career mentoring, workforce development and STEM education.

He has been acknowledged for his contributions to the solar industry by Renewable Energy World as part of its inaugural “Top 40 under 40 in Solar” and has been listed five years in a row on kWh Analytics’ #Solar100 List, which recognizes key solar energy thought leaders in the United States. Tom is also the author of We Took the Risk (New Degree Press, 2022) documenting the stories behind the original risk-takers in the U.S. renewable energy industry.

Tom holds a B.S. with honors in International Politics & Law from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and an M.A. in International Development from the University of Chicago.