This week, Women in Solar+ Europe gives the voice to Charmaine Coutinho, Director – EMEA Energy Transition at the British FTI Consulting. She says the energy transition requires inclusive systems that actively involve underrepresented groups, ensuring diversity and equality at all levels. Drawing from decades of industry experience, she emphasizes that intentional mentorship, sponsorship and transparent leadership are essential for meaningful change and career impact.
The energy transition is a global shift. It is connected geographically and geopolitically across borders – even if the networks we are trying to adapt are national legacies. The speed, costs and logistics of the energy transition are challenges that countries face and impact the entire demographic spectrum, regardless of individual background.
Solar, storage, EV and grid infrastructure – all essential components of the green transition program – must be designed for everyone. The challenge is to actively involve underrepresented people and groups in changing the energy system of which they are part, so that they are not alone on the receiving end of the decisions. That’s why diversity and inclusion are not optional in our industry; they are fundamental to building systems that truly serve society.
My first energy job was at a progressive, mission-based solar company, and the second at a mission-based, women-led utility. While my experience may not be common, employees at both companies were ethnically and culturally broad, almost 50/50 gender split, and socio-economically diverse. There were great role models in tech, sales, marketing, engineering, finance, IT and innovation, all drawn to and fueled by a strong mission.
Those early experiences showed me what was possible with intention. As I reach mid-career, I’m reminded that the challenges of inclusion in our industry are evolving, such as navigating the uncertainties of maternity leave, age-based inclusion, and observing who ultimately ends up in leadership roles. Representation at the entry and mid-level does not automatically translate into representation at the top – how can we ensure that the leadership pipeline does not leak?
Like many people, I was the only woman in the room. There are also times when I was the only subject expert, the only woman, and the only ethnic minority. Although they shouldn’t, everyone can find their own way of dealing with the prejudices and assumptions of others, whether you’re sure they are there or not.
My approach is disarming through the judicious use of humor and rapport building, and by utilizing every networking connection I have built. Biases won’t go away, but assumptions can be challenged and exposed with some strategic navigation.
Taking on my most recent role – a sort of chief of staff – is a highlight. Recognizing operational challenges and feeling out of alignment in previous roles has led me to where I am today: working in team silos. Throughout my career, I have held every employer to high DEI standards. FTI Consulting is no exception, and I appreciate working at a company that provides a supportive environment. Our staff groups, even though they sound so formal, are an exceptional community of women with incredible expertise who bring this to life for me. It feels like a culmination of experiences that led me here.
When we talk about supporting women in this industry, I often say: be a sponsor, not a mentor. There are many mentors out there, but people need people who can take them to the next level, especially when they’re not in the room. Sponsorship means advocacy, visibility and support of tangible progress.
And please never give the “you need to be more confident” feedback. So many confident, capable women I’ve met have been told this, but the comment rarely explains what it actually means. “Be more confident” is often a judgment in disguise; True leadership means providing specific, constructive, actionable feedback. Do you mean making a decision in a meeting? Towards a certain leadership style? To observable behavior? Or is it worth pausing to notice how loud the rest of the room is? Vague feedback reinforces stereotypes and shifts responsibility to the individual; accurate feedback provides clarity, direction and a real opportunity for growth.
In my twenty years of work experience, fifteen of which were in the energy sector and spread over seven jobs, I have only ever had two out of eleven female line managers. My most impactful experiences come from a mix of both genders. The best managers have been open about the strengths and weaknesses of the entire team, including themselves. They made it a point to explicitly say, but also show, that they were not perfect.
This transparency about limitations built trust and emphasized what I could do for the team. It made it okay to not always know the answer. One specific line stuck with me: “I can’t do what you do, so do it right, I’ll do my thing and we’ll both look great for my boss.” That clarity of roles and mutual respect removes barriers more effectively than any formal policy.
To a young woman entering the solar and renewable energy sector today, I would say this: energy is a sector where your career can be fulfilling and make a real change for everyone, so it is a good choice. Working in a transition space usually involves people who like to think differently, so know that there is value and impact to be had and that it is new.
Each experience will add more to your personal firepower.
Charmaine Coutinho is an experienced energy transition professional with more than 17 years of expertise in strategy, insight and innovation across Europe. Her energy transition focus includes go-to-market strategies, business development and partnerships, supported by a technical background in electricity. She is a generalist and has worked with the most successful energy innovators in Britain and Europe, among others Good energy And Solar centuryas well as with established energy companies pursuing a lower carbon future.
Interested in participating Charmaine Coutinho and other female market leaders and experts at Women in Solar+ Europe? More information: www.wiseu.network
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