Brenna Vaughn
NWHA

Sheila Corson
Mason PUD 3/FWEE

Austin Rohr
NW RiverPartners

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Here in the Northwest’s backyard, there is an abundance of regional organizations and collaborators that work on different facets of hydropower. In addition to NWHA, there are several organizations working on certifying renewable energy projects, advocating for water rights, engaging public policy, and conducting outreach and education right here in the NW. Put on your Mr. Rodgers sweater and get ready to meet these partners and neighbors.  

Who Should Attend: 
Managers, human resources, recruiters, communications experts, and attendees who live in the Northwest. 
 
Why You Should Attend: 
Knowing what resources are available in the region makes you a better team lead, recruiter, manager, and expert in hydropower.  

Moderator:
Brenna Vaughn, Executive Director, NWHA

Panelists: 

• Sheila Corson, President Foundation for Water and Energy Education, Public Information Officer, Mason PUD 3
• Austin Rohr, Media & Communications Manager, Northwest RiverPartners
• Matt Sjoholm, Director of Project Development, Blue Forest

Panelists Bios: 

• Brenna Vaughn serves as the Executive Director of the Northwest Hydroelectric Association. She prides herself in working at the intersections of clean energy, mentorship, philanthropy, and investing. She has served in the hydropower industry for 13 years and has been with NWHA for the past five. Before that, she was supporting the Hydropower Foundation as Managing Director.  She also serves on various boards, helps several community-facing organizations, and can often be found exploring the Northwest with her incredible family.  
• Sheila Corson is the public information officer for Mason PUD 3, but also the president of the Foundation for Water and Energy Education (FWEE). She has worked in public relations and community relations with a variety of organizations for nearly a decade, and as a journalist for five years before that.
• Austin Rohr is a passionate advocate for Northwest hydropower and its role in our clean and equitable energy future. As media and communications manager for the non-profit advocacy group, Northwest RiverPartners, Austin manages communications programs that educate the region on the benefits of carbon-free hydropower which powers homes, businesses, and transportation across the Northwest. Austin has helped steer several outreach efforts for Northwest RiverPartners, notably leading the organization’s “Our Power is Water” digital advertising campaign in 2023 which reached communities across the Northwest. Austin is also the host of the Dam! podcast, where he utilizes his prior action sports journalism skills to share the untold stories of public power and shine a light on the region’s energy experts. His efforts have been instrumental in promoting the benefits of affordable and reliable hydropower on behalf of the millions of public power customers represented by Northwest RiverPartners. Austin grew up in Puget Sound and graduated from the University of Washington, Tacoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Media Studies. He is an avid angler who enjoys exploring the great outdoors, hitting the water with his kayak, and spending quality time with his dog, Sprocket.

• As Blue Forest's Director of Project Development, Matt Sjoholm works with land managers, project implementers, and utilities to quantify the benefits of ecosystem restoration and develop Foret Resilience Bond projects. Before joining Blue Forest, Matt worked in social impact consulting, advising government agencies on innovative financing, data, and community engagement solutions to achieve social impact. Matt holds an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business, and a BA in community and economic development.