Navigating the Winds of Change: Career Growth & Leadership Advice From a Renewable Energy President

“There is no ‘correct’ model for a career path,” shares Laura Beane, the President of Vestas North America. Instead, everyone has to decide on the best career path for themselves — which will likely change over time.

For example, “certain phases of life might require more focus at home, given responsibilities such as young children, aging parents, or challenging life situations,” Beane explains. As such, you must acknowledge what your personal priorities are at any moment. Then, respect these priorities and “have confidence in the choices you make as you work to balance your career with your personal obligations,” says Beane. 

Beane’s own unique career path has led her to not only a leadership role but a specific leadership style: servant leadership. This style enables her to help others excel while she supports them during their own different phases and changing priorities.

In this article, Beane dives more into her impressive career path, what she’s learned about leadership, and more!

To begin, tell us a bit about your job. What’s your current role, how long have you been in this role, and what were you doing previously?

I am responsible for Vestas’s business in the United States and Canada. I joined the company in June of 2021 after a 25+ year career on the development and utility side of the business. I joined the industry right after I completed my bachelor’s degree in 1995 as a contract receptionist for a local utility company. 

At the time, I needed a job to pay my bills while I studied for the law school entrance exam. However, much to my surprise, and thanks to a wonderful boss and mentor, I took an interest in the energy transactions that the company was involved with and was hired as a full-time employee. The company offered tuition reimbursement for a Master of Business degree, so I pivoted to a master’s in business and never looked back. 

In 1997, I became the analyst for the utility’s initial exploration into renewable energy. I was immediately intrigued by wind power and over many years, company ownership changes, and numerous positions in different departments — such as Policy, Market Structure, Regulatory, Compliance, and Operations — I was named President & CEO of the company’s renewable business in the United States. I absolutely loved working on the development and operations side of the industry but was thrilled to have the opportunity to switch to the manufacturing side of the business and join the incredible Vestas team.

How do you prioritize and deal with your to-do list each day as a President & CEO?

I maintain a list of actions that I work to complete each day. Our business is complex, so it is not unusual for new actions to arise that must be immediately addressed, so the list is necessarily quite fluid. I view time as my most valuable asset, so I strive to make the most out of every minute. 

Outside of work, I prioritize exercise and time with my husband and (now grown) children, so I really don’t have hobbies. I am quite happy to save that for a different phase of life when I am no longer focused on and dedicated to deploying as much wind energy as possible!

Next, how did your work change when you transitioned into a leadership position? As a leader, what is your overall approach to work?

In a leadership role, you largely transition away from completing tasks and assignments into listening, absorbing, and working to make the best possible decisions to support your people and the business. You also quickly realize just how dense and complex the business really is. Each area of the company is truly its own universe — operations, technology, manufacturing, sales, legal, finance, development, construction, etc. — and every area requires deep knowledge and focus by skilled and passionate professionals in order to keep things running and moving forward. I have tremendous respect for all of our people and the work they do each day to ensure that Vestas operates safely and delivers on our commitment to customers and stakeholders. 

I am focused on putting people at the center of our strategy and doing what I can to ensure that leaders at all levels of the company support a positive and constructive culture for our team members. I am absolutely confident that Vestas will deliver maximum value if its team members are able to work in an environment where they feel valued and respected.

Finally, what’s the No. 1 thing you hope your direct reports are getting out of working with you? 

My sincere hope is that my team members feel respected, appreciated, supported, and empowered to do their best work. It is also important to me that people enjoy their work and have fun in the process.

Want to join Beane in a workplace that will support your unique priorities and goals? Consider applying for a job at Vestas.

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