Renewable energy company Drax is proud to welcome Aarika Plunkett as the new U.S. Community Manager for its Southern U.S. operations. Aarika has more than 10 years of experience in community development and engagement, with a strong background in project planning, crafting community-centered solutions, and managing community partners and clients.
In her role as Community Manager, Aarika will be responsible for building grassroots relationships in each of our operating communities and creating Action and Engagement plans in response to the unique challenges and opportunities our communities face. Aarika will also support Drax’s corporate giving efforts by helping to identify local non-profit organizations and community initiatives Drax can support through our Community Fund and Community Foundation.
“I am excited to join the team and look forward to helping Drax positively impact communities across the Southern U.S., said Aarika Plunkett, newly hired U.S. Community Manager for Drax. “I believe my experience in community development and engagement will help Drax further establish itself as a great community neighbor.”
Aarika will join a Community team of colleagues who cover Drax’s Canada, UK, and BECCS efforts across the company. She’ll also help develop a team of Community Liaisons who will work in our plants across the U.S. South, in addition to our previously appointed Gloster Community Liaison, Crystal Murray.
“Aarika has a depth of knowledge and experience that is going to be instrumental in Drax’s community support and engagement endeavors,” says Shona King, Group Head of Community for Drax. “Her proven commitment to community development and grassroots engagement is impressive, and I’m excited to work with her in the years ahead to deliver our long-term strategy to be a good neighbor in the communities where we operate.”
Aarika previously served as Senior Community Development Officer at Independent Financial in Houston, Texas. She attended the University of Houston where she attained her B.A. in Public Communication and her M.A. in Non-Profit Leadership and Management. In her free time, Aarika enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with her two teenage daughters. She also serves on several boards, including Goodwill Industries Houston and Credit Coalition.
For more information about Drax and its commitment to community engagement, visit drax.com/us/community.
Contact Information:
Michelli Martin
Communications Manager, US
318-372-3988
[email protected]
About Drax
Drax Group’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future and in 2019 announced a world-leading ambition to be carbon negative by 2030, using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology.
Drax’s approximately 3,000 employees operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production and supply to third parties. For more information, visit www.drax.com.
