IDEA Announces Recipients of Annual Patti Wilson Leadership Program Awards

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WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 18, 2026--

The International District Energy Association (IDEA) today announced the 21 recipients of the annual Patti Wilson Leadership Program Awards at CampusEnergy2026—IDEA’s annual conference for district energy professionals focused on sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon energy infrastructure for higher education and other campus environments.

Patti Wilson was a beloved colleague, board member, and friend of IDEA. Following her passing in 2024, her former employer, Affiliated Engineers, worked with IDEA to establish the program to advance and increase the participation of promising young women in the district energy industry.

Award recipients (in alphabetical order) are:

• Isabella Amyx, Mechanical Engineer, EIT, Nline Energy
• Ninabella Arlis, Senior & Green Transition Initiative Intern, Georgetown University
• Karleigh Bubeck, Undergraduate and Co-op Program, University of Pittsburgh/Cordia
• Selva Calixto, Ph.D., CEO & Founder, Sustainable Heating Consulting
• Abby Diekmann, Senior Mechanical Engineer, University of Minnesota
• Rachel Dybro, Assistant Mechanical Engineer, Burns & McDonnell
• Taylor Mott Elton, Utility Construction Project Manager, University of Florida
• Kaylee Esgar, Utility Management Engineering Intern and Master's Candidate, University of Wyoming
• Ashley Falcon, Electrical Engineer, Burns & McDonnell
• Nicole Lainez, Graduate Student, University of Minnesota
• Zixuan Liu, Regulatory Affairs, Corix
• Valeria Mera, Energy Innovator Fellow, U.S. Department of Energy/New York Department of Public Service
• Colleen Murphy, Lead Engineer, Future of Heat Engineering Division, National Grid
• Taran Narang, Director of Controllership, Enwave Energy Corporation
• Alexis Omilion, Director, Business Development, Corix
• Linnea Paton, Section Manager, Con Edison
• Colleen Shea, Mechanical Engineer, CHA
• Anoushka Tamhane, Sophomore, Climate Systems Science & Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Bea Tanada, Junior Project Manager, Corix
• Marya Thawer, Building Performance Analyst, Introba
• Ashley Wagner, Campus Engineer, Vanderbilt University

“Patti Wilson embodied the very best of IDEA, with collegiality, collaboration, and the courage to expand our industry’s comfort zone through advocacy and global engagement,” said Rob Thornton, president & CEO, IDEA. “This year, it was a privilege to recognize our esteemed class and celebrate the future of district energy. I am confident our industry’s future is in capable, mission-driven hands.”

IDEA thanks Affiliated Engineers for its sponsorship and partnership in this year’s Patti Wilson Awards program, with additional support from Bond, CenTrio, Ever-Green Energy, and Corix.

To learn more about the award recipients, visit: https://www.districtenergy.org/membership-services/awards-scholarships/patti-wilson-leadership/patti-wilson-leadership2025778.

About IDEA

The International District Energy Association (IDEA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit industry association founded in 1909 and based in Massachusetts, USA. Representing nearly 3,000 members across more than 30 countries, IDEA champions district heating, district cooling, thermal networks, and combined heat and power (CHP) as reliable, efficient, and sustainable solutions. Its mission is to foster the success of its members as global leaders in advancing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and building resilient, sustainable communities.

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CONTACT: Media Relations

Kayla Fedorowicz, Greenough Communications

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KEYWORD: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENERGY WOMEN CONSUMER

SOURCE: International District Energy Association

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PUB: 02/18/2026 03:00 PM/DISC: 02/18/2026 03:00 PM

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