My name is
Alexandra Arias. I am Costa Rican and have had the opportunity to live in several
countries across Latin America and Europe. These experiences have enriched not
only my professional training but also my human perspective on the world and on
development. I was born and raised in a rural area, which profoundly shaped my
sensitivity and lifelong commitment to communities that, like mine, face
structural challenges but are also filled with potential, wisdom, and strength.
From an early age,
I was a dedicated student. I attended a catholic school where, in addition to
learning core values, I developed a passion for crafts—sewing, embroidery, and
creating with my hands. We also had agricultural classes, which deepened my
love for the agriculture and my interest in growing tomatoes, lettuce, and
caring for fruit trees. To this day, I cherish these moments of connection with
nature. I enjoy reading, especially Latin American authors. Isabel Allende is
my favorite; I find in her stories the strength of women, the roots of our
region, and the poetry of everyday life.
Thanks to the
Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), where I began working at a young age,
I had the opportunity to study Industrial Engineering in Costa Rica. At ICE, I
found extraordinary colleagues who not only guided me in my technical training
but also helped me understand the vital role of energy as a driver of human,
economic, and social development. With them, I came to see that working in
energy also means working for dignity, opportunity, and the well-being of humanity.
ICE was my professional school, where I learned not only technical knowledge,
but also the value of collective work, public service, and commitment to my
country. In ICE, I began my work in rural electrification, which deeply
connected me with the needs of the most vulnerable populations.
I had the
privilege of being part of ICE’s pioneering energy efficiency team, where we
began discussing sustainability long before it became a global agenda priority.
After a transformative experience in Germany, I led the development of a
distributed generation project—an innovative initiative that I directed for
five years with great commitment and passion.
I earned a
Master’s degree in Energy and Development at ITC (University of Twente) in the
Netherlands. I made this journey with my son, who was only seven years old at
the time, both of us carrying a suitcase full of dreams and the hope for a
better future. It was a profoundly meaningful stage for us—full of learning,
discovery, and moments that not only strengthened us as a family but left us
with memories we still treasure today.
I also completed a
Diploma in Management at INCAE (Costa Rica), a Postgraduate Certificate in
Energy Economics (Argentina), and a one-year technical internship in Germany on
renewable energy for social development. I further specialized in gender,
climate change, and public policy through studies at FLACSO Uruguay and OLADE
courses on energy, diversity, and equity. These tools have been key in
integrating gender equality and social inclusion into the projects I lead.
Later, I moved to
Ecuador to work with OLADE, which marked the beginning of my international
work. Ecuador became my second homeland, and there I have my adoptive family
(Sánchez Barnuevo – Piedra) and two beloved goddaughters (Ivanna and Nadia
Cartagena Atiaja).
I then worked with
Hivos and later assumed the coordination of the Regional Center for Renewable
Energy and Energy Efficiency (SICREEE) of the SICA region - a platform promoted
by UNIDO. From there, I led alliances with governments, the private sector,
academia, and civil society organizations, while promoting the active
participation of women and youth in the energy transition.
I currently work
at the Regional Energy Integration Commission (CIER), where I’ve found a
privileged platform to apply everything I’ve learned throughout my career,
while continuing to build a journey powered by energy alongside colleagues from
across Latin America and the Caribbean. My work at CIER allows me to foster
collaboration among countries, people, and knowledge, driving forward solutions
that blend technological innovation with social awareness and a commitment to
sustainable development.
In each of these
roles, I have prioritized the participation of women and youth in energy
transition processes, incorporating gender considerations into regulatory
frameworks, national strategies, and community-based projects. I have also
represented the organizations I’ve worked with in high-level international
events as a moderator, speaker, and facilitator.
Alongside my
professional life, I have been a wife, mother, and grandmother. I have one son
and two wonderful grandchildren: Daniel and Alejandro. My family is my driving
force, my roots, and my refuge. I greatly enjoy spending time with my
grandchildren - taking walks in national parks, swimming in rivers and oceans,
and creating joyful moments together. I want them to remember me as their “Oma”
with whom they lived adventures, played freely, and experienced deep happiness.
Above all, I want them to grow up with the freedom to dream, the courage that
comes from living close to nature, and the vision to look toward the horizon - knowing
they have the power to change the world with determination, intelligence, and a
deep connection to what truly matters.
There is a phrase
that always accompanies me: “Energy transforms - but even more so when it
arrives with equity and a human touch”. This
conviction drives me every day to work with and for the people, territories,
and knowledge that sustain a more just and sustainable development.
My journey with
energy has above all been a journey with purpose. Every step has been guided by
the belief that energy must be a force for life, equity, and social
transformation. Today, I continue working with the same passion as on my very
first day - building a better future from the ground up, especially in the
rural communities to which I belong by origin and by choice. When I look back, I say with pride: “I have
done all of this - and there is still so much more to do, with energy, justice,
and humanity”.
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