Powering Purpose: Personal Journeys into Wind Energy

I haven’t always been on the wind market. I started as a Mechanical Engineer in the mining industry in Chile many years ago. I knew then I wanted to support the energy transition but sometimes opportunities take a bit to arise. Some years later I started scuba diving and fell in love with the ocean and that was the catalyst to move to a different career path and eventually became a marine geophysicist supporting the development of offshore windfarms. - America Zelada Leon (Chile) WiW Class of 2024 

I have always described myself as a "greeny," so pursuing a career in renewable energy felt like a natural path. My fascination with the sea—and the realisation that clean energy could be harnessed there—sparked my interest in offshore wind soon after I started working as an engineer. I was fortunate to enter the industry and learn on the job, as my academic background did not include formal training in renewable energy. I firmly believe that wind power, and offshore wind in particular, has a crucial role to play in the energy transition needed to meet our global climate goals. It is a field full of potential, and I am proud to be contributing to it. - Juliana Diniz (Brazil) WiW Class of 2024 

Growing up in a region heavily impacted by climate change, I witnessed first-hand the urgency of transitioning to sustainable energy sources. Wind power, with its potential to democratize energy access while protecting ecosystems, became a symbol of hope. I was inspired by the idea of merging technical innovation with social impact—empowering communities while combating climate change. - Nancy Ahmed Taha Ahmed (Egypt) WiW Class of 2024 

What inspired me, and continues to inspire me every day, to work in renewable energy is the desire to contribute to something meaningful that can help combat climate change. I started my career focused on energy planning in the oil and gas sector and gradually I became more involved in low-carbon strategies and renewable technologies. During my work at the Brazil Energy Programme (BEP), I realized how powerful wind energy could be, not only in reducing emissions, but also in transforming economies and creating opportunities. Working nowadays at ABEEólica has been especially inspiring as I am at the center of this transformation in Brazil, supporting innovation and helping to build a more sustainable future. In Brazil, one of the people who really inspired me to get into the wind sector was Elbia Gannoum. Her leadership and advocacy for wind energy are fundamental to shaping the sector, and seeing her impact made me want to be part of this transformation. - Fernanda Pires Domingues Cardoso Guedes (Brazil) WiW Class of 2024 

Since childhood, I was always curious about how things worked — a curiosity sparked by watching my father repair things around the house. Throughout school and even as I prepared for university, this drive to understand and problem-solve only intensified, leading me naturally toward engineering. The real question for me was never whether I would become an engineer, but which path within engineering I would follow. I was torn between electrical engineering and environmental engineering, but ultimately chose electrical because I believed it offered a broad range of opportunities in an area that truly fascinated me. At the same time, topics like sustainability, climate change, and environmental responsibility were becoming increasingly prominent in public discourse. I felt called to contribute professionally in a way that could make a tangible difference. As soon as I had the opportunity to work in renewable energy, I eagerly embraced the challenge — and I continue to be inspired by this purpose every day. - Marcella Pinheiro Lazar (Brazil) WiW Class of 2024 

My motivation to pursue a career in renewable energy, particularly wind power, comes from the desire of making an impact in the world. The fact that I grew up in a capital, made me deeply aware of the environmental impacts, polluted rivers, poor air quality, overcrowded neighbourhoods, big number of cars and in general low life quality. The idea of contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy system makes me believe that we can change our way of living toward a healthier environment, granting us and the next generations a dignified life. - Sophia Saldanha Biondi Assumpção (Brazil) WiW Class of 2024