Patti Wilson Leadership Program

The Patti Wilson Leadership Program was established in 2024 to honor the legacy of former International District Energy Association (IDEA) Chair and longtime Board Member, Patti Wilson.

The program’s primary mission is to inspire and support the participation of promising young women in district energy and to nurture emerging leaders who will carry forward IDEA’s global mission.

Patti embodied the spirit of IDEA through her passion for connecting people, her commitment to lifelong learning, and her generous spirit of collegiality. Winners are encouraged not only to forge their own path within the district energy industry, but also to leave a lasting, positive impact on it—advancing innovation, collaboration, and leadership in Patti’s name.

Each year, the Patti Wilson Scholarships will be presented at the annual IDEA Campus Energy Conference—an event where Patti’s professionalism and leadership left a lasting mark and helped advance the district energy industry.

To apply for the Patti Wilson Leadership Program, applicants are asked to submit short (200–500 word) responses to a series of questions exploring their background, career goals, leadership aspirations, and passion for district energy. The deadline to submit your application is Wednesday, December 10, 2025.

Simply complete the application below and submit to Jason Beal at jason.idea@districtenergy.org.

Apply for the Patti Wilson Leadership Program

Program funds are restricted to female applicants pursuing an enhancement of knowledge of district energy, sustainability, urban planning or energy efficiency.

Applicants should be newly employed in the district energy industry (3 years or less) or currently enrolled in an undergraduate, masters or PhD program at an accredited college, university, community college or technical institute with a focus toward a degree in marketing, management, engineering, finance, energy, environmental studies or another relevant field.   

Program awards will include the following:

1. Full complimentary registration at the CampusEnergy2026 and Workshop(s) with all fees waived.
2. Travel expenses to and from the conference, including round-trip coach airfare, hotel, ground transfers and meals outside of those provided during the Conference, to include up to five (5) nights lodging at the host conference hotel.
3. Meeting with IDEA District Energy Women’s Initiative (DEWI) and as appropriate, the IDEA Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Young Professionals Group.
4. Recognition at the Campus Energy Awards Luncheon and opportunity to address the audience, along with appropriate visibility in IDEA social media to promote awareness.
5. A one-time stipend of $2,000 USD to be presented at the conference Awards Luncheon.

Read About the 2025 Patti Wilson Leadership Program Award Winners

Patti Wilson, IDEA Chair from 2014 to 2015 and a past board member and executive committee member.

Wilson was director of business development at Affiliated Engineers for 26 years. She held a bachelor’s degree from Towson State University and an MBA from Loyola University Maryland.

"Patti was a fixture at the IDEA Campus Energy Conference for many, many years, where her brilliant smile and warm heart welcomed all," said Rob Thornton, IDEA president and CEO. "She had a genuine, easy laugh, always looked you in the eye, and made time to listen, in the truest sense. Patti made it her mission to connect with people, especially those attending IDEA for the first time."

"She was always prepared, paid attention to detail and was simply a step ahead. I recall a time when IDEA was hosting a large delegation from Japan, and Patti arranged for the IDEA delegates to have our business cards two-sided printed in Japanese for proper presentation to our guests. She even coached us on how to present a card two-handed, facing the person with an appropriate depth of bow."