RENO, Nev. — Panasonic Energy of North America (PENA) recently joined forces with Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada (GSSN) to create the “Manufacturing for Clean Energy” patch program, a first-of-its-kind initiative. The program was held at both the GSSN and PENA campuses on Saturday, April 20 and Saturday, April 27 for Girl Scouts ages 9 – 18. The initiative, the first for the Girl Scouts nationwide, is aimed to peak interest for young women in STEM while also encouraging careers in green energy manufacturing.
RENO, Nev. — Panasonic Energy of North America (PENA) recently joined forces with Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada (GSSN) to create the “Manufacturing for Clean Energy” patch program, a first-of-its-kind initiative. The program was held at both the GSSN and PENA campuses on Saturday, April 20 and Saturday, April 27 for Girl Scouts ages 9 – 18. The initiative, the first for the Girl Scouts nationwide, is aimed to peak interest for young women in STEM while also encouraging careers in green energy manufacturing.
“Partnering with Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada aligns with Panasonic’s commitment to fostering a more diverse and inclusive future in STEM and manufacturing, which builds off our foundational principles,” said Kaitlin Walsh, Senior Community and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist at Panasonic Energy of North America. “By providing young women with hands-on experiences and exposure to possibilities within clean energy manufacturing, we’re not only building a more inclusive industry but also empowering the next generation of leaders to drive positive change in their communities. It’s been amazing to collaborate with so many incredible women at PENA with diverse backgrounds and expertise to make this patch a reality.”
“As an organization committed to changing the world for the better, Panasonic places a strong emphasis on initiatives that benefit society and Panasonic Energy’s collaboration with the Girl Scouts brings new opportunities to diversify the tech industry,” said Tara Meisinger, Senior Manager, Production Maintenance, Panasonic Energy of North America. “Our goal is to empower these young women and provide them with knowledge about clean energy manufacturing as well as opportunities in our organization and larger industry. Through this partnership, we’re focused on overcoming barriers present to young women in the manufacturing industry.”
The event, which took place at GSSN headquarters and at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, included videos about the diverse roles and experiences of women in the manufacturing industry, hands-on activities and a tour of the factory. Participants also had the unique opportunity to meet female PENA employees featured in the videos who shared their personal journeys and the opportunities available for women in STEM fields.
“This patch program is the first-of-its-kind for the Girl Scouts and we’re thrilled to partner with Panasonic Energy to bring it to life here in northern Nevada,” said Ann Nelson, CEO of Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada. “As an organization, we’re focused on helping young women find their way and make the future a brighter place for everyone. To do that, we are excited to work collaboratively to help women succeed in fields they may be intimidated by or have little information about in order to provide as many opportunities for growth as possible.”
The “Manufacturing for Clean Energy” patch program represents a significant milestone in the journey of young women toward embracing careers in STEM. Through this patch program, participants have been introduced to the clean energy manufacturing industry, specifically, EV batteries and applicable careers. This program will be offered bi-annually in alignment with Girl Scout programming and PENA RISE Women’s Group.
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