YEPN
Young Energy Professionals Network
About YEPN
The Young Energy Professionals Network (YEPN) was created by the BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) back in 2015 to bring together the next generation of the Aotearoa energy workforce to connect, grow our networks and perspectives, and transform the energy sector together.
We’re a network by young professionals, for young professionals* – a space to:
- Build connections across the energy sector
- Grow your knowledge and skills
- Get involved in industry conversations
- Learn from mentors & senior leaders
Who can join?
*We realise the term ‘young professional’ can be misleading.
- Less than 15 years in the New Zealand energy sector
- It’s not about age – it’s about the mindset to learn, grow, and contribute to a brighter energy future
- We’re not limited to “desk-based” professionals – YEPN welcomes:
- Engineers & technicians
- Planners & consultants
- Lawyers & policy specialists
- Contractors & field workers
- And anyone else contributing to Aotearoa’s energy future (or would like to join in!)
What’s in it for you?
Interested?
The team
Danielle Manners
Co-Chair
Danielle is currently a Lead Consultant in Aurecon’s energy practice. She falls into the popular category of ‘accidental energy professional’, having started her career in management and strategy consulting for a wide range of industries, before being introduced to the world of energy as part of the team behind Transpower’s Whakamana i Te Mauri Hiko in 2019. Since then, Danielle hasn’t looked back. She has deepened her understanding and passion for the future of the energy sector, spending time at Transpower, EECA and consulting for energy policy makers, regulators, large energy users and generators.
Danielle is especially passionate about the role that the emerging workforce has in the energy transition – tackling not only a growing and increasingly complex pipeline of development but also countering an aging workforce. She has been actively involved with YEPN over the past five years and held the Tāmaki Makaurau Regional Lead role for eighteen months before stepping into the Co-Chair role with Andrew. She’s keen to continue to grow the network and strengthen the voice it has in industry conversations.
Andrew Wallace
Co-Chair
Andrew is the Industrial Energy Lead in Beca’s Industrial Business line. Andrew studied for his Masters in Civil and Environmental Engineering before starting his career working for Wood PLC (then Wood Group) in Project Management. This involved delivering projects in the North Sea for Oil and Gas companies, growing his understanding of Project Delivery, Risk Management and the role of Energy.
He then moved to Taranaki to work for Beca, starting with delivering 3 Waters Infrastructure projects before managing and growing the New Plymouth Industrial Team. Since then, Andrew has focused his time on supporting energy clients with their decarbonisation and strategic projects, bringing together public and private sector. Seeing the value in connection and collaboration, Andrew looks forwards to bringing together Young Energy Professionals to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead for the energy sector.
