What if the solutions to some of the energy and water industry's biggest challenges are already in the room—waiting to be uncovered, shaped, and amplified?
This belief fuels the RADIATE Capstone Project, which launched in February 2025 as a key component of U2030’s larger RADIATE Women's Leadership Program, which started in January 2025. Designed exclusively for women in the energy and water sectors, RADIATE is a 12-month transformative initiative that accelerates leadership growth and drives greater diversity of thought within utility leadership teams.
The Capstone Project is more than just a leadership exercise—it’s a strategic, action-driven experience that harnesses the collective power of diverse perspectives to create real, scalable impact.
Why this Capstone Project Matters
The energy and water industries are undergoing massive transformation, yet women continue to face persistent barriers—whether in leadership, hiring practices, skilled trades, or workplace dynamics. The RADIATE Capstone Project provides a structured yet dynamic approach to tackle these challenges—head-on—using systems thinking, design thinking, and change management.
A Project Build for Impact
Over several months, participants will work in small teams, identifying a women-centric industry challenge. Options include:
Women customers
Women in skilled trades
Women in leadership
Hiring practices regarding women
Early-career women professionals
Women’s work-life balance
Workplace behaviors
They’ll engage in stakeholder interviews, systems mapping, and strategic problem-solving to uncover leverage points where real change can happen. Project benefits include:
Collaborating with other women to generate bold, innovative ideas.
Enhancing problem-solving skills through interactive design thinking exercises.
Synthesizing stakeholder insights into actionable solutions.
Mastering the art of storytelling to inspire action and mobilize change.
The capstone culminates in a high-profile presentation at the U2030 Annual SPARK meeting in September 2025, where teams will showcase their research, insights, and solutions—turning ideas into action and inspiring industry-wide transformation.
Esteemed Capstone Project Leader
Bringing both credibility and vision to the RADIATE Capstone Project is its creator and leader, Briauna Perryman—a dynamic strategist with a passion for innovation and impact.
Briauna Perryman is a problem solver, critical thinker, and master planner. As a Senior Consultant at Milepost, she specializes in business strategy, innovation, and human-centered program design. She leverages design thinking and change management methodologies to develop strategies that align with client goals and community needs. Her portfolio includes leading initiatives in business model assessment, product development, energy efficiency, and community engagement, focusing on driving meaningful impact.
She holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and marketing management and a master's degree in business, specializing in entrepreneurialism. Her experience extends beyond consulting—she previously worked with AL EPSCOR, a state grant program focused on advancing research initiatives, where she refined her expertise in program management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning.
Briauna is also a founding member of The Regenerate Society, Inc. in Birmingham, AL, where she has held executive leadership roles for seven years, serving as Chief Marketing Officer, Director of Operations, and now Chair of the Board of Directors.
With her diverse expertise in strategic programming, engagement, and community impact, Briauna is the ideal leader to guide and inspire participants in the RADIATE Capstone Project and ensure its success in shaping the future of women in energy and water leadership.
Why This Is for Everyone
While the RADIATE Capstone Project centers on women's experiences, its impact extends across the industry. Diverse perspectives lead to better decision-making, stronger teams, and more resilient organizations. By elevating these voices and fostering inclusive problem-solving, we're not just advancing women but strengthening the entire energy and water sector.
So, what if the solutions we need are already within us? The RADIATE Capstone Project is about bringing those solutions to life. Would you like to to be part of the movement to remove the barriers to women's leadership advancement? If the answer is "yes", here are easy ways to get started:
Join us for the ENERGIZE Retreat, April 8-9, 2025, Scottsdale, AZ, where you can meet RADIATE leaders and participants
Nominate a RADIATE 2025-2026 program participant - nominations opening in April 2025 - Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates
Become a RADIATE program leader - email us at info@utility2030.org
Attend the U2030 Annual SPARK Meeting, September 15-17, 2025, in Seattle, WA - Hear Capstone project presentations
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