FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: LaNa Al-Amin, CEO, IEC Foundation
703-997-9999 | ed@iec-foundation.org| https://www.iec-foundation.org
IEC Foundation to Host EmpowerHER Scholarship Luncheon Celebrating Women in the Electrical Trades
Local, state, and national leaders, contractors, and IEC apprentices will join the October 21 event in Columbus, Ohio, to celebrate women in skilled trades at invitation only event.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — July 25, 2026 — The IEC Foundation (IECF), in partnership with IEC Central Ohio, will host the EmpowerHER Scholarship Luncheon on Wednesday, October 21, at 12 p.m., at IEC Central Ohio, 3128 E. 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219. The luncheon celebrates the achievements of women in the electrical trades and supports the IEC Foundation's scholarship program for apprentices building careers as electricians.
Local, state, and national leaders, contractors, and IEC apprentices will join the celebration of women in skilled trades, recognizing the growing role women are playing in a historically male-dominated field and honoring the students, mentors, and sponsors who support the EmpowerHER scholarship initiative.
About the IEC Foundation EmpowerHer Scholarship Program
The IEC Foundation's EmpowerHER Scholarship continues to build momentum, growing from two inaugural scholarship recipients in 2025 to 15 recipients in 2026. The EmpowerHer scholarship is made possible by sponsors such as HomeServe, Wesco’s Women’s Impact Network, and ATP, whose support helps fund scholarships for women pursuing electrical apprenticeships through the IEC Apprenticeship Program, other Technical Programs, Colleges and Universities in the USA.
Beyond providing financial assistance, the EmpowerHER Scholarship is helping cultivate the next generation of women leaders, mentors, and skilled professionals. "My future goal is not only to be a successful electrician, but to guide and coach other women interested in the electrical field," said Heather Wiese, a fourth-year apprentice with Northern Nevada IEC and a 2026 EmpowerHER Scholarship recipient. "I want to help younger women succeed, and IEC supports that through its commitment to women in the trades and the resources it provides."
“EmpowerHER is about more than a scholarship check — it's about showing every woman on a job site, in an apprenticeship classroom, or considering this trade for the first time that she belongs here,” said LaNa Al-Amin, CEO of the IEC Foundation. “When leaders from across our industry sit down together to celebrate these women, it sends a clear message about where this workforce is headed.”
About the IEC Foundation Scholarship Program
The IEC Foundation Scholarship Fund supports IEC students, members, and their immediate families as they pursue post-secondary education or state-accredited apprenticeship programs in the electrical trade. The fund is sustained by corporate sponsors including ATP, Eaton, Graybar, and Wesco, whose contributions allow the Foundation to award scholarships each year to apprentices who demonstrate drive, dedication, and leadership.
Since its inception, the program has become an essential benefit across IEC's chapter network, easing the financial burden of tuition and helping apprentices stay focused on their training. For many recipients, the support arrives at a pivotal moment — allowing them to build both a trade and a future.
A Scholarship's Impact, in Her Own Words
Among the IEC Scholarship program recipients is Haylee Hyde, a third-year apprentice at IEC Central Ohio and employee of Settle Muter Electric in Columbus, who represents the fourth generation of her family to work in the electrical trade. A 2026 IEC Foundation scholarship recipient, Hyde addressed attendees at the IEC Foundation's 30th Anniversary Gala in Cincinnati this past March.
“The IEC Foundation scholarship has truly been a blessing,” Hyde told the Gala audience. “It's allowed me to focus more on my training and education without constantly worrying about finances… But the impact of this scholarship goes beyond financial support. It's also a statement of belief — that the future of this trade matters, that skilled craftsmanship deserves recognition, and that young people entering the field should have access to the same opportunities that built the generations before them.”
Hyde, who has spoken openly about the challenges of entering a traditionally male-dominated field, said she hopes to mentor future apprentices and encourage more women to consider careers in the skilled trades. “Being a woman in the trades, I also want to help show that women can succeed in this industry and excel at the same level as anyone else,” she said.
Read Haylee Hyde's full story: Powered by Determination: Haylee Hyde Carries a Four-Generation Electrical Legacy Forward
Media Note
Members of the press planning to attend the EmpowerHER Scholarship Luncheon in person are asked to RSVP to LaNa Al-Amin at ed@iec-foundation.org by 10/1/2026. Press passes are required for entry and will be issued on-site at check-in; media should bring valid press ID. For interview requests with scholarship recipients, sponsors, or IEC Foundation leadership before or after the event, contact LaNa Al-Amin at ed@iec-foundation.org.
About the IEC Foundation
The IEC Foundation supports the next generation of the electrical industry by funding grants, scholarships and programs that support workforce development. Learn more at iec-foundation.org.
About Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC)
Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) is a national trade association representing merit-shop electrical and systems contractors. Through its nationwide chapter network, IEC provides apprenticeship training, workforce development, advocacy, and education to build the future of the electrical contracting industry. Learn more at ieci.org.
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