The energy industry stands to benefit significantly from the diverse perspectives, skills, and innovative thinking women can bring. Anthony Cebokli, Associate, Infrastructure Advisory - Deal Advisory, KPMG Services Pte Ltd Singapore, reports. This article is contributed by KPMG - the official Content Partner for SIEW 2023.
The session brought together a group of distinguished women leaders who shared invaluable insights and strategies for empowering women in the energy sector. This crucial discussion shed light on the myriad challenges women face in the industry, underscored the significance of gender diversity, and highlighted the pivotal role that mentorship plays in helping women advance their careers in the energy sector.
Skill diversity and work-life balance
Audra Low, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, Clifford Capital, spoke about the changing landscape of career opportunities in today's world, and emphasised the need for diverse skill sets, specifically in STEM but also other fields. She advocated for a workforce that is well-informed and experienced, highlighting the importance of people who can motivate and collaborate effectively.
“Women hold just 32% of energy sector jobs, primarily in administrative roles," noted Ms Low.
She stressed the importance of having both men’s and women's perspectives in leadership decisions and encouraged women to take on diverse roles to position themselves for senior leadership.
She mentioned she does not favour gender-specific hiring practices but promotes an approach based on experience and merit. Ms Low also acknowledged the evolving nature of work-life balance and shared parenting, advocating for open discussions to balance family and career.
Vision for inclusive corporate environments
Yulanda Chung, Head of Sustainability, DBS Bank, spoke about the disparity in women's representation in leadership positions between large corporate settings and startups. She highlighted the success of startups with women co-founders and emphasised that clarity of roles and responsibilities is crucial for women to thrive.
Ms Chung also underscored the importance of promoting diversity through specific recruitment and mentorship programmes, with a focus on creating a pipeline of women entrepreneurs. She advocated for a mindset change, emphasising the positive impact of diversity in management. Ultimately, she encouraged confidence and support for both women and men to advance women in leadership roles and create a more inclusive corporate environment.
“A lot of the co-founders (in a start-up environment) are women, and this is not something you see often compared to traditional corporate settings. Why is it that in large corporations, women seem to struggle to reach senior positions, whereas in the startup environment, women are leading in innovation and creativity?’’ said Ms Chung.
The five ‘Cs’ and adaptability for success
Jeanne Cheng, Chief Risk Officer at SP Group, emphasised the importance of the "Five Cs" - courage, confidence, commitment, collaboration, and communication, as pillars for women's success in the energy sector. She urged women to summon the courage to accept new challenges, bolster their confidence, and highlight their innate abilities. Commitment is vital, especially for those women balancing family responsibilities. Collaboration and effective communication play key roles in advancing women in the energy sector and driving innovative solutions.
‘‘We need to communicate and make known our capabilities as women can contribute differently,’’ said Ms Cheng.
Similar for Mok Pei Pei, Head of Business Development, IHI Asia Pacific, her key message centred on adaptability and resilience. She noted that regardless of one's background, whether STEM or not, a career in the energy sector is attainable. She highlighted the virtue of women being able to adapt and influence effectively in the ever-changing landscape of the industry. Ms Mok made it clear that women could bring a different perspective to decision-making, thus enhancing the quality of these decisions. She stressed that women must raise their voices, contribute actively, and shape the industry's future, underscoring the need for women to be assertive and participate proactively.
The session underscored the need for women in the energy sector to be courageous, confident, and committed, while also stressing the importance of collaboration and effective communication. The energy industry stands to benefit significantly from the diverse perspectives, skills, and innovative thinking women can bring.
Achieving this requires breaking down gender stereotypes and fostering inclusive work environments that support flexible arrangements and provide mentorship opportunities. Gender diversity is not merely about equal opportunities; it is about unlocking the untapped wealth of talent and innovation that women can contribute to an industry on the brink of transitioning to a net zero world. Women are encouraged to be assertive and play an active role in shaping the future of the energy sector, making it not just a more diverse but also a more innovative and inclusive space.
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