This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) provides voice to Darina Merdassi, the CEO of the vitality group Decci. She stated that, though she entered the vitality sector a few years in the past, she remains to be one of many few girls on talking panels, that “the scenario will not be higher with the viewers.”
I feel it’s truthful to say that I didn’t select the vitality sector; the vitality sector selected me. I began working in renewables after I completed my grasp’s diploma. My firm – Decci – has enabled me to develop and be taught by expertise, and that’s additionally for the enterprise facet. They have been there on a regular basis in my life. I acquired my MBA, participated in lots of native and worldwide initiatives, negotiated or gave speeches, but in addition acquired married and have become a mom. The help given to me has enabled me to develop – professionally and personally. I do know that for a lot of girls, even in the present day, that is nonetheless not the case. I want extra firms would embrace and help girls, to work with them. Companies shall be stronger with them.
One may say that I’ve all the time been lucky to work with unimaginable individuals, each women and men. But typically, I nonetheless go searching and ask myself: “Are there sufficient girls within the room?” I entered the vitality sector years in the past, and to at the present time, I’m nonetheless one of many few girls on the talking panel, and the scenario will not be a lot better within the viewers.
When getting into a enterprise assembly, interview, or talking engagement, I usually discover a pause the place this unstated query lingers within the air: “How does he lead an vitality firm?” They anticipate me to start out speaking, and there is normally a glance of reduction of their eyes after they notice I do know what I’m speaking about. I want we may skip this half.
I’m at present in search of a brand new workforce member, and I wish to have a girl in our workforce, however not many have utilized for the place. I imagine there’s prejudice concerning the vitality sector coupled with low vanity. Women research in technical and scientific fields, however we wrestle to maintain them in these skilled sectors for varied causes, whether or not it’s lack of help, prejudice, or social norms. Unfortunately, girls have inherited the tendency to regulate their actions and ambitions to the social norms round them. I’m from the Czech Republic, the place girls are nonetheless studying to belief their judgment and constructing their confidence, usually with little help.
Of course, I stay optimistic. And I see that the vitality trade is altering greater than ever. The development in direction of extra decentralized vitality options, the place renewables are mixed with fashionable improvements, opens up new prospects, new positions and new flexibility within the office. As we incorporate these new applied sciences into vitality options and future proof the grid, we should additionally open the door wider for ladies to enter. The sector wants extra feminine function fashions – I do know I would like them. It is essential to have somebody there who understands you, is aware of what challenges you might be going through, and may advise you when wanted. This steadiness of voices, I feel, is important to our future.
Darina Merdassi is the CEO of Decci, an vitality group energetic in renewable and fashionable vitality initiatives since 2007. Merdassi is concerned in lots of native and worldwide initiatives, collaborating with main vitality firms, banks, and regulatory establishments. He holds a grasp’s diploma from the University of Economics in Prague, and he obtained his MBA from the University of Jean Moulin Lyon. Through Decci, he manages renewable vitality property with a capability of 44 MW, and since July 2024, a hybrid vitality supply – Energy Nest – with a complete put in output of 52.4 MW, which incorporates the most important battery storage within the Czech Republic. He was about to embark on his subsequent wind energy problem. Merdassi thinks about vitality in a complete and sustainable means. And when he’s not occupied with the way forward for vitality, he wears one thing snug and spends time along with his kids within the park subsequent to his residence.
Interested in becoming a member of Darina Merdassi and different girls trade leaders and consultants at Women in Solar Europe? Learn extra: www.wiseu.community
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