By Andrea Eras Almeida
Natalia Álvarez Uribe (Medellín, Colombia,
1985) defines herself as a happy mother and a hard-working, persistent and
passionate woman, who has always dreamed and worked to make this world a better
place. Colombia, her country of origin, is recognized for its wide and rich
cultural diversity, being “diversity a key factor for the development of
humanity,” she ensured.
Natalia
is an Administrator Engineer-MBA, specialized in project management with over
10 years of experience in the energy sector. Most of her work experience has
been acquired in the Tronex company, in the development of the business lines
for photovoltaic solutions and projects based on renewable energies.
She is a
passionate professional about innovation. This is why, she has contributed to
the design of the innovation model of her company, which has been recognized as
one of the first 30 most innovative companies in Colombia. Natalia supports and
believes in transformative processes to outline solutions that help the world.
Based on this philosophy, she works with commitment in the implementation of
photovoltaic projects in residential, commercial, and non-interconnected areas
(ZNI). It is how she contributes to the transformation and generation of new
opportunities in the energy sector.
In the energy sector, Natalia started working in the administrative area. Later, when her company opened the business line for renewable energy technology, she asked for being in charge of this new area. Natalia indicates that "at that time, in my country, very few women were at the forefront of a business line for renewables," adding that "I felt very proud of myself to see that the company believed in me, and I assumed this challenge with great determination." Natalia chose the energy sector because it offers opportunities and constant challenges, which inspires her to work every day without monotony. She is always willing to do something new and participate in transformative initiatives. She believes that the energy sector demands constant training and learning to be able to propose new ways of doing things, with social and environmental responsibility and to undertake sustainable solutions. Therefore, Natalia assures: “we need to keep working together with government, private sector, and users to build policies of tax subsidies, easy loans and rates to reach more users every day with energy solutions such as photovoltaics.”
Natalia has
assumed a decision-making position on which she states: "progress will
always be achieved with discipline, perseverance, tenacity, and teamwork." She also highlights that in her company "…there has been gender equality
for many years. I feel that my company values us as professionals. Our opinion
is important and recognized, they listen to us. These kinds of things generate
job stability. She acknowledges that as a woman and a single mother, the support
and trust, she has received from her company, has been key to keep growing
professionally …” “We need to believe in ourselves! We are capable. We do not
need to wait for our ideas to be 100% validated to launch them on the market.
The trial-and-error method helps us to investigate and find out innovative
solutions to problems and propose new projects for companies and, in general, for
the country.”
About
those experiences that deeply marked her life, Natalia says: “All of us have
moments that mark our journey through this life in some way. Some moments teach
us to face problems and to understand that we are capable to achieve goals
never imagined, and others mark us to know that we will not make it again. In
my life, my daughter has been the one who has positively marked my life. She has
been my driving force and has encouraged me to fight and look for new horizons.”
“Thanks to my daughter, I have learned to take on new challenges with love and
trust.” “I am a committed mother and this is for the well-being of both my
daughter and myself,” Natalia adds that being a single mother has implied many
changes in her life, changes that have taught her to take advantage of
opportunities, to thank and value all moments in life. For her, being a single
mother has also involved a constant struggle to show society that a woman can
be both a mother and a successful professional.
On the other hand, regarding her professional
life, she shares her experience in the inauguration of the Laboratory of
Alternative Energies Alfredo Díez Montoya at the INEM José Félix de Restrepo, a
public institution dedicated to the provision of formal education services at
the preschool, basic primary, and secondary levels. In this inauguration,
several little girls approached her to ask if “it is worth studying a solar
energy course? or if this course was designed only for boys? To answer these
questions, Natalia shared her case as an example of a capable woman and leader
of a team of engineers. She mentions that “the girls were very happy to hear
this. Women can lead and enable opportunities for other girls and women in the
world.” Natalia assures that the energy sector presents a great opportunity for
women, an opportunity to lead. An opportunity that, combined with knowledge in
mathematics, energy and engineering, makes it possible to reach decision-making
spaces and contribute to development. She also recognizes the importance of
making it possible to have a balance between work and family life.
Natalia
affirms that people become a reference through leading by example. She has had
the opportunity to open spaces in unions, in energy clusters, where, in the
beginning, there was low participation of women. Then, she shared with Energy
from Women: “enabling opportunities facilitates women participation, and my own
experience at the INEN is an example of this.”
“Believe
in us! so that later people believe in us.” This is the advice that Natalia
wants to get across through Energy from Women. Advice that she complements
indicating that “the empowerment of women is key, and it is the great challenge
that women have in the energy sector.” “We have to inspire more women and girls,
every day, to join the sector. The roles and responsibilities that women face
in this sector will depend on their attitude to assume them.”
Thank you, Natalia, for transmitting confidence and commitment to
innovation through Energy from Women!
Being a leader in the energy sector is possible with commitment and self-confidence!
About the author: Andrea Eras Almeida, PhD in Photovoltaic Solar Energy, Founder of Energy from Women
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