Energetic Women inducted Heather Rivard of DTE Energy as the newest Maverick Award recipient last month at the Energetic Women Conference. The Maverick Award gives special recognition to leaders who have set the standard in promoting, connecting and strengthening female leaders in energy operations and engineering. The award is presented annually to an individual who actively participates in the advancement of women in leadership, who knows an organization is stronger with a diverse leadership team, who believes in the empowerment of women, who understands the importance of recognition and opportunities for women, who advocates for the professional advancement of women, and who acknowledges the full talents, capabilities, and organizational benefits of women in energy operations and engineering.
Rivard, currently Senior Vice President Distribution Operations at DTE Energy, has been a trailblazer and role model while serving in very senior operational positions at DTE Energy. Her success as a female leader moving across vastly different roles, blending significant technical depth with outstanding leadership skills, has provided an example for other women in the organization that you can, indeed, have it all.
DTE Energy prepared a congratulatory video for Rivard featuring senior leadership at DTE Energy presenting stories and testimonials which demonstrate Rivard’s support and encouragement of those in the industry along with all of the other attributes that make Rivard deserving of this prestigious award.
Rivard effectively uses her voice and position in a way that empowers women, earns respect, and gains loyalty from all leadership levels within her organization. She maintains an emphasis on developing and fostering relationships at work and on boards and committees that she supports, including her involvement in Energetic Women. The Women of DTE Advisory Committee recognize Heather as having created the ripples that turn into waves that have begun to wipe out stereotypes and allow all employees to achieve their full potential.
For more information about the Maverick Award or Energetic Women, contact Stacey Bonine, staceyb (at) MEAenergy (dot) org, or (651) 289-9600 x114 or visit www.energeticwomen.org.
Heather Rivard (center) receives the Energetic Women Maverick Award from Pina Vyaz (left) of the Energetic Women Leadership Team and Christy Wicke (right) of DTE Energy.