If I have to think about where it
all began, I always return to one image: myself as a little girl, looking
through a microscope my father gave me. I did not fully understand what I was
seeing, but I was fascinated. I believe that was the moment something awakened
in me that never left: curiosity.
At school, I followed that instinct
and chose to specialize in chemical biology. Later came university, where I
studied Chemical Engineering and graduated at the age of 22. I entered the
workforce very young, beginning my professional career directly in industry.
That was the start of a very different chapter in my life.
I found myself in a completely
male-dominated environment. It was not only that most of my colleagues were
men—I was also a young woman in leadership positions, working alongside people
who were older and far more experienced. It was not easy. There were
uncomfortable moments, silences, unspoken questions, and countless meetings
where I was the only woman in the room. Over time, I realized that I did not
need to fit in—I needed to stand firm in who I was.
For sixteen years, I worked in
industry. During that time, I learned to trust my knowledge, to speak when
necessary, and to listen carefully. I came to understand that respect is not
demanded—it is earned through consistency, hard work, and character.
Then came the opportunity that
changed the course of my life: I won a competition to become a university
professor. I entered academia without realizing that it would become one of the
most meaningful parts of my journey. Shortly afterward, I assumed the role of
Director of the Environmental Engineering program and, once again, found myself
as the only woman among the engineering directors.
Twelve years have passed since
then—twelve years of teaching, mentoring students, leading processes, making
decisions, and, above all, striving to do everything with purpose. Because
education is not only about transferring knowledge, it is also about shaping
critical thinking, values, and awareness.
At the same time, I continued my
academic development, earning one master’s degree in Technology Management and
another in Renewable Energy. I felt then—and still feel today—that knowledge
alone is not enough; we must evolve alongside the world. And today, the world
demands responsibility.
Gradually, my work became
increasingly connected to environmental issues, sustainability, and renewable
energy—not as a trend, but as a conviction.
In 2024, I received the Lady Power
Award in recognition of my work as an Ecuadorian leader in research, education,
sustainability, and environmental ethics. More than a personal achievement, I
saw it as confirmation that I was walking the right path.
I also trained with the Climate
Reality Leadership Corps, an experience that further strengthened my commitment
to climate action.
If I had to summarize my journey, I
would say this: throughout my career, I have often found myself in spaces where
there were not many women—and still, I stayed.
Working in science, engineering, and
energy as a woman is not always easy. Sometimes it means having to prove
yourself more, insist more, and endure longer. But there is something deeply
powerful about it: it transforms spaces. It is not only about being present—it
is about remaining there and making those spaces different for the women who
come after.
Today, we speak constantly about
energy transition, sustainability, and climate change. These are technical,
urgent, complex, and profoundly human challenges. The decisions made in these
fields affect communities, territories, and entire generations. That is why we
need diverse, compassionate, and ethical perspectives. We need more women—not
to fulfill quotas, but because their ways of seeing, leading, and connecting
bring something essential to the table.
Not everything has been easy, but
everything has been worthwhile. If I could tell my younger self one thing, it
would be this: trust what you know, even when you are the only woman in the
room. And to those who come after us: do not wait for the path to exist.
Sometimes, you have to create it yourself.
My story is not mine alone. It
belongs to many women who chose to move forward, even when the path was never
designed for them. And if there is one thing I have learned, it is this: when a
woman moves forward, she never moves alone—she opens the way for all those who
come after her.
Because
science needs talent.
Because the planet needs action.
And because the future is also built through the voices of women.
Note: the story is written by its protagonist, Diana Macancela Encalada.
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