Ladies Leading the Charge: Women Powering the Renewable Energy Revolution!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how the world of women in the workforce has radically transformed, especially over the last six decades. If you look back, it’s honestly hard to believe how many doors were simply closed to women, how many voices went unheard, how many brilliant minds were sidelined. We faced systemic biases, societal expectations that often confined us to specific roles, and a pervasive lack of opportunity that felt insurmountable at times.

But look at where we are now! Across industries, we're seeing women not just participating but leading, innovating, and driving change. And what's truly exciting is the way the renewable energy industry is stepping up and positively illuminating the path forward, embracing and celebrating the contributions of women more than ever before.

You know, I've always believed that women have a unique capacity for empathy and a deeply ingrained sense of caring… qualities that are absolutely crucial in the green energy sector. We are after all building a sustainable future for our children and our planet. That future requires a collaborative approach, a long-term vision, and a genuine commitment to making a positive impact on communities around the world. These are things I feel strongly women are equipped for. Women tend to be excellent communicators and relationship builders, which helps foster strong teams, drive collaboration with diverse stakeholders, and effectively convey the importance of sustainable practices. These skills are incredibly valuable in a field that relies on public support and collaboration to scale.

The renewable energy industry is providing hope for a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable world. And I truly believe that the more women are involved in shaping that future, the brighter it will be. This industry has to continue to embrace the strength of women!

This is the energy I want to bring to our workplace. It's like the entire industry is saying, "The future is green, and the future is definitely female!"

Powering Progress, One Qualified Woman at a Time

Now, before I get carried away with my enthusiasm, let me be clear about something: as much as I champion women in leadership, it always has to be for the right reasons. We need to ensure that qualifications, credentials, experience, and genuine expertise are the driving forces behind hiring decisions.

It's a problem when roles are handed out based solely on gender or race. True progress means making sure the right person is in the role, period. And that’s why I believe that our focus should be on igniting women's interest in renewables, giving them access to the education and training they need, and empowering them to become highly employable, top-tier professionals.

Fortunately, there are already spades of amazing women out there who are accomplishing incredible things in the green energy space! These women are solar-powered pioneers! I want to shine a light on a few of them:

Leading Lights: Women Who are Illuminating the Green Energy Path

Penny Laurenson: Penny Laurenson is the Global Head of Sustainability at Lightsource bp, leading corporate sustainability strategy as well as oversight of the global GIS team. She has played a pivotal role in shaping both Lightsource bp’s Environmental Planning and Sustainability functions, having built and led their Environmental Planning team since the company first began operations in 2010, until moving to lead the global sustainability function in 2023. Over time, both areas have expanded in scale and complexity, reflecting Lightsource bp’s continued evolution and the increasing importance of sustainability and responsible development across the energy transition. She has served as Vice Chair of SolarPower Europe’s Land Use and Permitting workstream and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Responsible Renewables Taskforce.

Joyce Lee: As Chief Policy Officer at the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Joyce is a seasoned renewable energy and public policy expert. Based in Berlin, she's navigating the political landscape and expanding wind energy adoption in emerging markets. She's a force to be reckoned with, ensuring that wind energy plays a critical role in addressing climate change.

Melanie Nakagawa: Melanie Nakagawa is a highly influential leader in climate change and sustainability, with a career spanning public service, private investment, and corporate leadership. She is currently the Chief Sustainability Officer at Microsoft, a role she has held since January 2023, where she oversees the company’s ambitious environmental initiatives, including its commitment to becoming carbon negative by 2030 and removing all historical carbon emissions by 2050.

Jeanette Gitobu: Jeanette leads the Women in Wind Global Leadership Programme. Her work is focused on reducing gender disparity in the wind industry. Recognised with awards like the Energy Institute Young Energy Professional of the Year, she is facilitating sustainable energy transitions globally.

Elizabeth Kaiga: As Chief Commercial Officer at DNV, Elizabeth is a leader in renewable energy strategy. She's supporting the global transition to renewables and has served on boards like Women of Renewable Industries & Sustainable Energy (WRISE) and Solar Sister. She is a key influencer driving the industry forward.

Olga Malinkiewicz: Olga Malinkiewicz is a Polish physicist, inventor, and entrepreneur, best known for her groundbreaking work on perovskite solar cells. She developed a novel method for producing efficient perovskite photovoltaic cells using inkjet printing during her PhD studies at the University of Valencia. This innovation allowed the fabrication of lightweight, flexible solar cells at low temperatures. As the Chief Technology Officer of Saule Technologies, Malinkiewicz has led the company to become a pioneer in next-generation solar energy solutions, including launching the world’s first production line for perovskite solar cells. Her achievements have earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of MIT Technology Review's Innovators Under 35 and receiving two European Inventor Awards in 2024.

These women have played pivotal roles in advancing renewable energy technologies, policies, and accessibility worldwide. They are not only shaping the industry but also inspiring future generations to continue driving the energy transition forward.

Here's to a Future Powered by Women!

As a woman in this industry, it's incredibly refreshing to see the amazing roles women are playing on a global scale. We're not just filling quotas; we're leading, innovating, and driving the change we want to see in the world.

I want that trend to continue, and I believe it will. By focusing on qualifications, empowering women with the skills they need to succeed, and celebrating their accomplishments, we can build a renewable energy industry that is not only sustainable but also truly equitable.

Keep shining, keep inspiring, and keep powering progress!