The Women in the Global Battery Industry (WGBI) electrified this year's Battery Council International (BCI) Convention + Power Mart Expo in San Antonio. With Texas-sized ambition and Alamo City spirit, WGBI members rounded up industry leaders from across battery manufacturing, recycling, distribution, and more, proving that when it comes to charging up the battery sector, everything truly is bigger in Texas.
Saddle Up and Tee Off: WGBI and APG Support BCI 2025 Golfers
WGBI’s presence kicked off with the WGBI Beverage Golf Cart, sponsored by Atomized Products Group, Inc. (APG), at the 2025 BCI Golf Tournament.
The WGBI/APG team cruised through the beautiful TPC San Antonio course—home of the PGA Tour's Valero Texas Open—keeping golfers refreshed and hydrated under the Texas sun while creating valuable networking opportunities on the greens.
Networking Texas-Style and Industry Discussions
WGBI lassoed some serious attention with the wildly popular Cowboy Hat Bar activity sponsored by Mac Engineering. WGBI members created their own custom cowboy hats, bringing new meaning to the phrase "all hat and plenty of cattle" at the Happy Hour & Reception to close out the convention.
Prior to the Networking Reception, WGBI held a business meeting that had members rotate between roundtable discussions led by the subcommittee chairs Ellen Maxey (Education), Rebecca Conway (Marketing), Negin Sepanta (STEM), and Terri Grocela (Recruitment). Each subcommittee shared their specific goals and focus areas, inviting active participation and feedback from current and potential WGBI members.
The evening culminated in the WGBI Networking Reception, sponsored by Stryten Energy and Hollingsworth & Vose. Sophie Hollingsworth, who was attending for the first time, provided enthusiastic and heartfelt remarks on behalf of H&V. The vibrant gathering brought together women from across the battery industry and around the globe for meaningful discussions about industry challenges and celebrations of collective achievements. During the reception, the recipient of the Women in the Global Battery Industry Poster Award, Cailin Buchanan (Argonne National Laboratory), was honored and Ahlstrom’s Melissa Oliveira delivered a few words on Ahlstrom’s excitement on becoming WGBI's newest Sustaining Sponsor. Connections made at events like these strengthen our WGBI community and the battery industry as a whole, capturing the collaborative spirit that defined the organization's presence at BCI 2025.
Industry Insights from WGBI Leaders
WGBI members delivered compelling presentations throughout the convention, showcasing expertise across critical areas of the battery industry. Karen Pugliese, Global VP of Sales at C&D Technologies, presented "The Power of Diverse Perspectives," demonstrating how women in leadership drive innovation and enhance strategic decision-making, providing organizations with a competitive advantage through inclusivity.
Clarios VP of US/Canada Marketing Rebecca Conway's "North American Transportation Market Update" offered crucial insights on market sizes, projected growth, and technological shifts in the battery transportation sector. Melissa Floyd, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Digital Marketing at Stryten Energy, addressed "Scaling Energy: Myths, Microgrids and The Race for Resilience," examining U.S. energy demands, grid infrastructure challenges, and the need for a domestic battery supply chain to ensure energy resilience.
During the technical sessions, Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at University of Toledo Cora Lind-Kovacs presented technical research on "Interactions of Model Expander Molecules with Lead Species," exploring how expander additives affect electrode performance and cyclability in lead batteries. CBI’s Alyssa McQuilling concluded with "Solving EV Fast Charger Grid Strain Using Lead Battery ESS," highlighting how lead battery Energy Storage Systems provide optimal solutions for stabilizing the significant loads created by EV fast chargers.
Riding High: WGBI's Growing Industry Influence
Throughout the convention, WGBI's presence underscored the growing role of women in the battery industry. From technical innovations in battery chemistry and electrical storage systems to strategic perspectives on market trends and diversity in leadership, the organization's members contributed valuable insights across multiple aspects of the industry.
The enthusiasm and engagement seen at all WGBI events—from the golf course to the main stage and technical sessions—reflected the organization's growing influence and the increasing recognition of the value that diverse perspectives bring to the battery industry. And you better believe that just like Texas itself, WGBI delivered big.
We Tip Our Hat to WGBI’s Trail Blazing Sponsors
WGBI extends its appreciation to the sponsors whose generous support made the organization's presence at the 2025 BCI Convention possible. These industry leaders have demonstrated their commitment to advancing diversity and excellence in the battery industry: Clarios, Hollingsworth & Vose,
Stryten Energy, East Penn Manufacturing, Ahlstrom, Club Assist, MAC Engineering, and Rolls Battery Engineering (Surrette Battery).
About WGBI
Women in the Global Battery Industry (WGBI) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing women's participation and leadership in all aspects of the battery industry. Through networking, professional development, mentoring, and advocacy, WGBI works to increase gender diversity across technical, manufacturing, and executive roles in the industry. The organization's subcommittees focus on Education, Marketing, Recruitment, and STEM initiatives to drive meaningful change throughout the sector.