Alexandra Arias: "My journey with energy: building the future from the heart of communities"

 

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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