This week Women in Solar Europe (Wisu) give voice to Letizia Coradeschi, investments at Susi Partners AG in Switzerland. She says that the normalization of parental leave and flexible work schedules that support the balance between work and private life would help to maintain female talent beyond junior and mid-level positions. “Despite the obstacles, my personal experience made me believe that, in combination with perseverance and resilience, this is a space where women can thrive and lead,” she says.
“What kind of work are you doing?”
“I help save the world.”
How many people would like to give this answer when they are asked about their career?
And how many work in the financial sector could with confidence say the same thing?
My desire to contribute to a more sustainable future has been a powerful driver in shaping my career choices. This feeling of goal is one of the most important factors that led me to shift focus from investment banking to an active role in facilitating the energy transition by investing in sustainable energy projects. During my time to work in the investment industry with a focus on the energy transition, and in particular Zonne -PV projects, I have experienced first -hand how exciting and dynamically the sector of the renewable energy is.
If a relatively young but rapidly evolving sector that is not subject to the slowness that is often seen in more traditional areas, the solar industry can offer unique opportunities for women to take leadership and technical roles. Women are now indeed around 40% of the workforce in PV on solar energy. However, only 30% have management jobs and only 13% work in senior management positions (Irena, 2022). These figures show that genderon balance dynamics remain in the solar segment, especially with regard to leadership representation and the preservation of women in medium career.
How can these imbalances be tackled? Firstly, leadership options must be granted on the basis of objective performance statistics and pre -defined criteria for guaranteeing honesty and fairness, regardless of gender. This requires decision makers who argue for the career development of women by valorizing individual performance and business results in the right way. Secondly, the normalization of parental leave and flexible work schedules that support the balance between work and private life would help to maintain female talent beyond junior and mid-level positions.
Companies in the Sustainable Energy sector are increasingly tackling these problems by accepting initiatives for diversity, fairness and inclusion. As an example, my current employer, Susi Partners, has taken concrete steps and implemented fair policy to guarantee an fair and inclusive workplace. Among them I personally benefited from dedicated leadership and mentor programs, while targeted recruitment of KPIs have made a real difference in improving female representation. Moreover, several industrial associations support the career of women by promoting awareness and facilitating networking opportunities.
However, overall progress has been gradual because industries with established standards and structures take the time to adapt to more inclusive investment practices. Increasing the consciousness and active tackling of unconscious prejudices of gender are important steps that are needed to speed up this transition.
Despite these obstacles, my personal experience made me believe that, in combination with perseverance and resilience, this is a space where women can thrive and lead.
Coming from a pure financial background and continuing to deal with highly technical themes, I forced me to demonstrate the value of my expertise. Earning credibility in such a way that my contributions were recognized and valorized by the team required a thorough preparation between operational and financial technical details.
An extra challenge that many professionals in the industry stand for is the notorious impostor syndrome – the feeling of not being qualified despite clear performance. At the start of my career I made a conscious attempt to shift my way of thinking to concentrate on facts and pragmatic results instead of myself about whether I belonged to financial discussions with high efforts. Effective and tangible strategies include the search for constructive feedback, documenting personal successes and remembering myself that competence is growing with experience. To surround myself with supporting and inspiring senior colleagues who gave guidance and strengthened my confidence, a considerable difference has made. Especially on more challenging moments, the intellectual challenge and the ability to encourage meaningful change motivated me to promote my career in industry.
My advice to young women entering the finance or solar industry is to look early for mentors – regardless of their gender – to sponsor their professional growth, to acquire and sharpen them, to tighten strong professional networks Building and pleading for themselves with confidence. Know who you are, be confidence in what you put on the table and proudly accept what you don’t take with you. The renewable energy sector evolves and as more women fulfill leadership roles, we will continue to stimulate a positive and inclusive development of industry for future generations. Don’t forget to stay resilient, to keep learning and do not hesitate to accelerate your own path. You hear here.
Letizia came to Susi Partners in 2018 and is currently working as a director in the Credit Investments Team. She is aimed at taking care of, implementing and constantly management of private credit transactions within the renewable energy sources and energy transition space throughout Europe and North America. During the past 7 years, Letizia has gained extensive experience in a wide range of technologies, including Zonne-Zonne-Zon, combined heat and power, lighting-as-a-service and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Before he came to Susi Partners, Letizia worked in the investment bank department of Nomura International, where it was involved in cross -border mergers and acquisitions and business financing transactions, while getting considerable expertise in the industrial and infrastructure sector. Letizia has an MSC in accounting, financial management and control of Bocconi University and attended two academic conditions to the Schulich School of Business (Toronto, Canada) and George Washington University (DC, US).
Interested in becoming a member Letizia Coradeschi And other leaders and experts in the industry at women in Solar Europe? More information: www.wiseu.network
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