Trellis Fund: Supporting the Next Generation of Clean Energy Professionals

The Trellis Fund builds talent and increases diversity in Canada’s energy sector by offering $2500 grants to female-identifying students planning to work in the clean energy transition. All levels of study are eligible for financial support, from micro-credentials to university. With initial seed capital provided by Rebecca Black, in memory of her late mother, and growing industry support, Trellis has received over 120 inspiring applications, awarded eight grants to outstanding students and deployed $20,000 in bursaries. Between 2024 and 2025, the number of recipients has almost doubled from 43 to 80 and there’s no end in sight. A woman’s place is in the fight against climate change.

Research by Electricity Human Resources Canada, the energy industry’s labour association amply demonstrates that there’s a lack of diversity in the sector, and that a looming labour shortage puts energy transition plans under strain. We need more people in the fight against climate change, and yet we’re letting a lot of potential green tech talent rot on the vine.

Study after study has shown that women are severely underrepresented in all aspects of clean tech. That’s why The Trellis Fund is supporting women in the field as they strive to reach their professional goals and become part of the next generation of clean energy professionals.

The story of the Trellis Fund can be traced back to the original founding members of the national non-profit Women in Renewable Energy, or WiRE: Jen Aitchison, Rebecca Black, Valerie Kitchell, Debbie Ellis, Brandy Giannetta, Stephanie Landers, Lisa Oelke and Mary Warner.

Playfully calling themselves ReWiRE, and consistently connecting via monthly zoom calls and annual retreats, the group was on the lookout for a new project and ways in which to leverage their energy and connections to increase gender diversity in Canada’s energy sector. The answer came in 2023, when Rebecca Black suggested that the group launch a grant program in her mother Veronica Gardner’s honour and the Trellis Fund was born.

The group got organized as the Trellis Fund Advisory Committee, building on the idea and researching ways in which Trellis could have a tangible impact. Significantly, these formidable women have been active advocates for diversity and inclusion in Canada’s energy sector for more than a decade. They also know full well that energy jobs are good jobs and, through a shared vision, they’re committed to supporting women who want to work in those good jobs.

Years of collaboration and volunteer activity mean they understand the need to increase diversity across the clean energy sector and that effort to redress the lack of diversity in the sector must be intentional and inclusive.

Ultimately, after speaking with other granting institutions, and launching from a $10,000 gift, their research, the Trellis Committee opted to launch an annual grant program of four $2500 awards.
In early 2024, Trellis registered as a federal non-profit, created an outreach strategy, and an application form for students to apply for Trellis funding. For outreach, the team built a profile through their professional networks, through partnerships with industry associations like StepUp, Student Energy and CanREA, and through their connections on LinkedIn.

A launch event to coincide with International Women’s Day and in partnership with Solar Drinks was held. The sold-out 2024 Trellis Fund launch and networking event was attended by seventy-five professionals and twenty-five students. Support by value-aligned industry sponsors and by donation for professionals allowed for a generous and professional Bay Street reception.

The 2024 grant program attracted forty-five Trellis grant applicants, who impressed the review committee with their vision, values and dedication to the clean energy transition. The quality of their stories made a final selection very challenging but, after careful consideration, four outstanding young leaders from diverse schools and programs were selected to receive the grants.

Profile of the Trellis program grew thanks to media support by Energy Mix, the Globe and Mail, and Women in Power Systems magazine, as well as an expanding network of academic and industry partners, sponsors and followers.

Furthering the resilience of the fund, in 2025, Trellis partnered with Small Change Fund to accept donations and provide charitable receipts to donors and it’s been upwards from there.The Trells Fund 2025 launch and networking event was again sold-out, attended by sixty professionals and 40 students, and supported by value-aligned industry sponsors and partners at a Bay Street office location.
Thanks to this growing awareness, the number of applications in 2025 grew to eighty. The review committee has been expanded, the judging rubric has evolved, and communications to four grant recipients was sent on July 17th.

The Trellis Advisory Committee and community is set on growth and future institutional resilience, evolving the model to meet the moment. In summer 2025, in addition to consistent volunteer support, paid internships are funding the creation of a donation campaign strategy and an academic research project is underway to see what Trellis and the industry might learn from the data provided from one-hundred and twenty grant applicants.

The Trellis Fund is growing awareness and opportunity with students about the good jobs in Canada’s energy transition, through academic and financial support, storytelling, mentorship and community building. They’re finding and nurturing green tech talent to create a healthier, more resilient energy system, and the fund is working with and rewarding industry supporters by connecting them with their next generation of professionals for succession. Everyone wins and a lot fewer people are left out.

Trellis’ corporate and event sponsors G&W Canada, Survalent, HUB Canada, Kleinschmidt, Stifel, Avison Young have allowed them to host generous events at no cost to students, and pay interns for the value they are adding to the program. Of course, Trellis are still shaking the bushes for more support and supporters.
The Trellis Fund honours the attributes the late Veronica shared – her deep and unwavering practice of caring, and her commitment to sharing. The name Trellis was inspired by Veronica’s name and her love of gardening: a trellis is a supportive element that allows plants to climb, reach for the sun and thrive, just as the Trellis Fund aims to support students in a clean energy future.

By addressing the underrepresentation of women in the energy sector by targeting women for financial support, Trellis is removing some of the barriers non-traditional participants seeking work in the clean energy sector face. It’s a program designed by people who have planted successful careers in the energy sector and understand what’s at stake.