Electricity is fundamental to nearly every aspect of modern life. It powers major industries, small businesses, homes and communities, enabling people to work, connect, pursue their interests and build for the future. Against this backdrop, the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans became the venue for an important discussion about the growing influence of women in shaping the future of the U.S. utility sector.

The conversation took place during the Global Black Economic Forum Business Summit. Moderated by John Hudson, Entergy’s chief external affairs officer, the panel brought together two prominent leaders from the utility industry: Colette Honorable, chief legal officer, compliance and corporate secretary at Exelon, and Nicole Daggs, executive vice president of human resources and corporate services at NextEra.

Hudson opened the session by welcoming attendees to the Gulf South, a region playing an increasingly important role in the transformation of the American energy sector. He outlined several forces driving change across the industry, including grid modernization, the transition toward cleaner energy, changing customer expectations and the growing need for operational resilience.

As the industry undergoes these significant changes, Hudson emphasized that developing the next generation of energy professionals must remain a central priority. He also highlighted the importance of increasing opportunities for women to take on leadership roles and contribute to the direction of the industry.

“I had the privilege of moderating a powerful conversation on women leading the future of the utility industry. Grateful to join Exelon’s Colette Honorable and NextEra’s Nicole Daggs—two exceptional leaders whose insights on leadership and preparing the next generation were truly inspiring,” said Hudson. “I left encouraged by the momentum and the growing community of women driving our industry forward.”

The panel began by examining the challenges facing utilities today. The discussion covered a broad range of issues, including affordability concerns, aging infrastructure, regulatory engagement and the rapid development of new technologies. At the same time, the panelists pointed to significant opportunities to upgrade the electric grid, expand the use of digital technologies and make greater use of data to better anticipate and respond to customer needs.

A recurring theme was the importance of ensuring that the benefits of modernization are shared broadly. As utilities invest in new infrastructure and technologies, Hudson and the panelists stressed the need to remain attentive to customers who may be most affected by higher costs and other changes.

Entergy’s Fair Share Plus pledge was highlighted as an example of an approach designed to manage the opportunities associated with data centers locating within utility service territories. The initiative reflects an effort to support economic development while protecting existing customers and ensuring that communities hosting these facilities can share in the resulting benefits.

Honorable and Daggs also offered perspectives based on their experiences leading organizations through large-scale transformation. They discussed the importance of making difficult decisions during periods of uncertainty and maintaining clear direction when organizations are undergoing significant change.

Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation and advanced grid intelligence, were identified as forces already changing the way utilities conduct their operations. Both panelists stressed, however, that technological advancement cannot come at the expense of reliability. Successful modernization, they said, requires leaders who can balance innovation with the industry's fundamental responsibility to provide dependable service.

“AI is not something we should be fearful of, what we have seen at our company is just the opposite – we give our employees the opportunity to experiment, to pilot and use AI as their superpower,” said Daggs. “Whether it’s to look for a job, to think about an opportunity, to come up with a business idea our community needs to embrace it because we can really use it to elevate ourselves.”

Resilience was another major focus of the conversation. The panelists described resilience as something that extends beyond physical infrastructure to include workforce preparedness, customer relationships and community confidence. Utilities, they noted, have an important role in assisting vulnerable customers, strengthening community engagement and maintaining open and transparent communication.

Long-term resilience also depends on investments in community partnerships, targeted customer programs and employee development. These efforts can help utilities respond more effectively to changing conditions while strengthening the communities they serve.

The discussion then shifted toward the future of the utility workforce, with particular attention to opportunities for women entering the energy industry. The panelists noted that the sector encompasses virtually every major business discipline, including engineering, customer service, accounting, finance, law, communications and public relations.

Regardless of a person's specific area of expertise, Daggs and Honorable identified several qualities that will be increasingly important for future leaders. These include adaptability, comfort with digital technologies, collaboration across organizational functions and the ability to make decisions and lead effectively in uncertain circumstances.

Both leaders also reflected on their own professional experiences and the decisions that helped shape their careers. They discussed the value of finding mentors and sponsors, developing professional influence, building confidence in traditionally male-dominated environments and taking personal responsibility for career development.

“There have been several moments in my career when I thought, I’m just going to take a leap of faith and try something new and different,” said Honorable. “And now, here I am, leading at the highest level of a corporation—something I never imagined for myself. Along the way, I’ve learned that our industry isn’t just about power lines and plants; it’s about people. It’s about building resilient communities, making energy more affordable, and investing wisely so families and businesses can thrive. I share that because I want other women to know: take that leap. Believe in the possibility of your own success, even before you can see it—and know that your voice and leadership can help shape the future of energy.”

Throughout the discussion, Daggs and Honorable returned to the importance of being willing to take risks, remain curious and pursue opportunities even when the path ahead is not completely clear. Their experiences illustrated how career growth can often come from stepping outside familiar roles and accepting challenges before feeling completely prepared.

Hudson closed the session with a message directed toward women who are emerging as leaders throughout the utility sector. He encouraged them to approach their careers with confidence and urged industry leaders and colleagues to create stronger networks of mentorship and allyship.

The broader message from the conversation was clear: the transformation of the energy industry will require not only new infrastructure and technology, but also a diverse, adaptable and prepared workforce. By supporting mentorship, expanding leadership opportunities and encouraging more women to participate in shaping the sector, utilities can help build a workforce capable of meeting the challenges ahead.

For more than 100 years, Entergy has supplied dependable and affordable electricity to customers throughout Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. However, the company’s role goes well beyond keeping the lights on. Entergy has developed a broad range of customer-focused initiatives aimed at helping families manage financial difficulties, while its partnerships with community organizations are helping create new economic opportunities throughout the Gulf South.

Financial insecurity remains a significant challenge for many households across the region. When families struggle to afford energy, the consequences can extend into other areas of their lives, including health, housing and their ability to achieve greater financial stability. Entergy has therefore invested in programs specifically designed to help vulnerable customers maintain essential electric service and navigate periods of financial difficulty.

The company began taking a targeted approach to low-income customer support in 2000, when it became one of the first U.S. utilities to establish dedicated assistance programs for this group. Since then, its support network has expanded considerably. Customers can access direct financial assistance, alternative billing arrangements and help from community organizations that connect them with federal and state assistance programs.

A key resource is Entergy’s Bill Toolkit, an online resource that provides customers with information on managing their bills, improving energy efficiency and finding available financial assistance. The company’s Power to Care initiative provides emergency help with electricity payments for eligible older adults and people with disabilities, helping particularly vulnerable customers maintain access to essential power.

Entergy has also partnered with Single Stop, an online platform designed to make it easier for customers to discover assistance that may be available to them. Through the platform, customers can identify resources related to financial aid, education, workforce training and other forms of support in one place.

The company expanded its assistance efforts during the severe summer heat of 2025. Entergy shareholders, customers, employees and retirees collectively contributed $3 million to support customers struggling with energy costs. Through its Beat the Heat initiative, the company provided assistance with energy bills along with cooling fans, energy-efficiency kits and home weatherization support. The initiative also involved partnerships with local community organizations to reach customers who needed assistance.

Entergy’s community support extends beyond energy-related assistance. The company also hosts Super Tax Days at selected Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) locations, where eligible households can receive free tax preparation. Helping families claim the refunds and tax credits for which they qualify can provide an important financial boost to households already under financial pressure.

According to John Hudson, Entergy’s chief external affairs officer and president of the Entergy Charitable Foundation, the company provides many of the conventional services offered by utilities, including home energy audits, rebates and incentives designed to reduce consumption and monthly expenses. However, he says Entergy’s broader objective is to create a comprehensive support system that gives customers facing financial challenges a more sustainable route toward stability.

The company’s affordability strategy also looks beyond immediate assistance with monthly bills. Entergy is investing in modernizing its electric grid and improving energy efficiency, initiatives intended to reduce delivery costs over the long term, strengthen reliability and support a more sustainable energy system. For customers and communities, these investments can translate into fewer service interruptions, greater rate stability and additional opportunities to reduce energy consumption and household expenses.

Energy affordability is also closely connected to economic development across the Gulf South. Entergy’s specialized offerings for major commercial customers and data centers are helping attract large-scale investments and industries to the region. These developments can generate employment, stimulate local economies and create additional economic opportunities.

At the same time, Entergy’s Fair Share Plus commitment is designed to ensure that large customers cover the costs associated with infrastructure improvements required specifically for their projects. By placing those costs on the customers driving the infrastructure investment, rather than spreading them across the broader customer base, the initiative is intended to help protect households and small businesses from higher electricity rates.

Across Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, these projects are projected to deliver approximately $7 billion in savings for Entergy customers over a 20-year period.

Through its combination of direct customer assistance, energy-efficiency initiatives, infrastructure investment and community partnerships, Entergy is taking a broad approach to affordability. The company’s efforts are aimed not only at helping vulnerable customers manage immediate financial pressures but also at strengthening the resilience and economic prospects of communities throughout the Gulf South.

Entergy Texas Recognizes Six Students with Power Your Future Scholarships
Entergy Texas has named six outstanding students as recipients of its Power Your Future Scholarship, a program designed to support those pursuing approved technology-focused degrees at select Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions throughout the Gulf South.

“These awards go beyond simply funding education—they’re helping to shape the next generation of industry leaders who will drive growth in our communities,” said Scott Hutchinson, vice president of public affairs at Entergy Texas. “By investing in students now, we’re supporting future innovators who will help build a stronger, more resilient energy system.”

The scholarship is part of Power of Prosperity, Entergy’s multi-year initiative to advance education, expand workforce opportunities, and promote long-term economic growth in the communities it serves. Among the 2025 honorees are two Prairie View A&M University students whose determination, creativity, and commitment to community service stood out.

Enrique Morales Mateo – Prairie View A&M University
Originally from Coamo, Puerto Rico, Enrique Morales Mateo relocated to the United States during high school, arriving with limited English skills. Now majoring in computer engineering, he aspires to work in the energy sector—a passion shaped by firsthand experiences with Puerto Rico’s unreliable power infrastructure.

“Even light rain could trigger outages, and hurricanes left entire regions without electricity for months,” Mateo shared. “Receiving this scholarship validates my hard work in both academics and employment, and it’s a stepping stone toward creating practical energy solutions.”

Matthew Caldwell – Prairie View A&M University
Houston native and mechanical engineering senior Matthew Caldwell aims to become a vehicle dynamics engineer, focusing on improving automotive performance and longevity.

“Cars aren’t just about transportation—they enable life’s important journeys, from daily commutes to unforgettable milestones,” Caldwell said. “This scholarship allows me to complete my degree without the weight of financial pressure, enabling me to focus on launching my engineering career and making a positive impact on others.”

The four additional recipients are:

Each recipient receives $5,000 through a program administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest provider of scholarships and educational assistance.

Over the next decade, Entergy will contribute $20 million to strengthen HBCUs and empower students across its four-state service territory, as part of a broader strategy to enhance education, workforce readiness, and career development throughout the Gulf Coast.

Click here to know more about Entergy’s education and workforce programs.