Black Women In Energy: A Rising Force In New Jersey’s Clean Tech Economy

When Gwendolyn Small entered the clean energy sector, she wasn’t chasing a long-held dream—she was simply looking for a new opportunity. What she found was a career path that allowed her to lead, innovate, and empower others in the heart of New Jersey’s green transition.

Today, Small is a cornerstone at Encore Energy Group, a clean energy company helping businesses across the state cut costs and carbon emissions. She manages the company’s rebate program, which supports clients, from small boutiques to major manufacturers like Goya, with utility-backed incentives to upgrade their lighting and infrastructure.

“I had been out of the workforce for a while,” Small said. “I was working with the Urban League to update my resume, and someone encouraged me to apply to a PSE&G program. I got in—and I was the first person placed with a company doing utility work.”

That program, part of PSE&G’s on-the-job training (OJT) initiative, is designed to diversify New Jersey’s clean energy workforce and connect participants to real-world, paid experience. Small’s story is one of the program’s standout success cases and was recently highlighted by PSE&G as an example of how these initiatives can transform careers and open doors in the energy sector.

At Encore Energy Group, Small quickly became indispensable. “She started with us on PSE&G’s dime for five months,” said Bill Dato, Encore’s founder and CEO. “There was no obligation to keep her. But we wouldn’t be where we are today without her. She brought organization, heart, and structure. She turned our rebate department into a well-oiled machine.”

Small’s work isn’t just about lighting upgrades or rebate applications—it’s about helping businesses in overlooked communities lower their energy bills and reinvest in their futures. At Encore Energy Group, she plays a key role in connecting local entrepreneurs to programs they often don’t know exist, turning clean energy into a practical tool for economic relief. Whether it’s a mom-and-pop shop in Montclair or a warehouse in Jersey City, the savings she helps unlock can mean more money for hiring, wages, or staying open.

Her story reflects a broader shift across New Jersey, where Black women are not only entering the clean tech space—they’re helping lead it. From workforce development and energy equity to frontline policy and implementation, their growing presence is reshaping who the green economy works for—and who it includes.

“It’s about showing people the different paths available,” Small said. “Some handle rebate processing like I do, others go into HVAC or field inspections. There’s room for everyone.”

Encore Energy Group actively brings these opportunities to underserved communities, many of which are located in urban centers such as Newark and Paterson. In cities designated as urban enterprise zones, rebates and financial incentives are often doubled, increasing accessibility for small businesses and community institutions.

“I’ve come full circle from workforce development in telecom to clean energy,” Small said. “Now I’m helping others find their footing in the field.”

Encore Energy Group has expanded its team through the same workforce pipeline that brought Small’s on board, and she now mentors interns and colleagues entering the field—many of them women of color, like herself.

“She already has her first employee under her,” Dato said. “Gwen is more than a manager—she’s shaping the direction and culture of this company.”

That culture is centered on impact, education, and equity. One of Small’s most memorable projects was a full retrofit of a school with five buildings completed over summer break. “We covered the classrooms, the gym, the parking lot—everything,” she said. “It felt meaningful because it directly benefited a community.”

As the state pushes forward with its clean energy goals, leaders like Small’s represent a growing force redefining what the sector looks like—and who it serves.

When asked what advice she would give the next generation of women considering a future in clean energy, Small’s doesn’t hesitate: “Don’t be afraid of the unknown. It’s not as hard as it seems. The more you learn, the more you’ll appreciate it.”