WRISE Welcomes Three New Leaders to Its Board of Directors to Help Drive Growth and Impact

Johnelle Brown, Zoe Berkery, and Melissa Elkinton join WRISE’s Board to help shape it’s next chapter of an inclusive and equitable energy ecosystem where all people and our planet thrive.

Brooklyn, NY, July 8, 2025 —Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) is proud to announce the addition of 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 accomplished 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 currently 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 over 15 years in operations, human resources, and leadership, Johnelle 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,” said Brown. “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. Zoe’s background in federal energy policy, including roles at the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and the White House Council on Environmental Quality, underscores her dedication to impactful climate solutions.

“I’m honored to join the board of WRISE at such a critical moment for our industry,” said Berkery. “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 over two decades of experience in wind and solar energy development. Known for her leadership in energy resource assessment and development at companies like Avangrid Renewables and DNV, Melissa 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,” said Elkinton. “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 WRISE celebrates two decades of empowering and transforming the renewable energy industry, the organization looks forward to the leadership and vision that Johnelle, Zoe, and Melissa bring to its board.

“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 between October 14-15, 2025 expects to surpass last year’s attendance of over 800. Individual membership continues to grow, corporate partnerships are expanding, and there are now over 47 active chapters across the United States and Canada serving WRISE’s 25,000+ network. 

To learn more about the WRISE Board of Directors, please visit the WRISE Leadership page.

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About Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy:

Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE), formerly Women of Wind Energy (WoWE), was founded in 2005 to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and equitable energy future by igniting the collective power of the community. WRISE has local chapters across the US and Canada; national programming that includes the annual luncheon, Leadership Forum, fellowships, the Speakers Bureau, and webinar series; and a growing grassroots network of more than 25,000 participants. The organization is supported through hundreds of volunteer hours and the generous contributions of individuals and corporate partners. For more information about WRISE, visit www.wrisenergy.org.

For more information or to get involved, contact us at info@wrisenergy.org.