This month the North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN) chapter at Vogtle 3 and 4 hosted Natalie Wood, past president of NAYGN. During her visit, Woods toured the nuclear construction site, shared her own experience in the nuclear industry and explained how she found her passion to empower young people in the industry.
Wood said it’s important for young people to have a voice that is heard in nuclear organizations.
She has acted on this belief by connecting those in NAYGN with Delivering the Nuclear Promise (DNP) committees across the country. DNP is an industry-wide campaign that helps recognize the value that nuclear energy provides. Specifically, the organization helps strengthen the commitment to excellence in safety and reliability, assures future viability through efficiency improvements, and drives regulatory and market changes.
She also encouraged the chapter to have a vision of what they want their impact to be, whether it be at the plant or in the surrounding community.
“I immediately thought of Vogtle 3 and 4’s LEAN initiative when Natalie was speaking about the impact each chapter has the responsibility to make,” said Paul Rodi, Vogtle 3 and 4 Engineer. “I know this effort being made by younger professionals is making great strides with equipment reliability at our site.”
While touring the site, Wood expressed her excitement for those at Vogtle 3 and 4, as well as the nuclear industry.
“Those of you here are getting an experience not many receive,” she said. “If I was able to see my plant built from the ground up, everything would have made a lot more sense sooner.”
Written by: Jeffrey Hausaman – Vogtle 3&4, Southern Nuclear
