NEOENERGIA S.A. 18/01/2022
Director of renewables at Neoenergia, Laura Porto advocates diversity as a vector of innovation in companies- Yes
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Click here to check out the fourth episode of the podcast series #DeixaElaTeInspirar,with Laura Porto, Director of Renewables at Neoenergia
A recognized professional in the electricity sector and ahead of Neoenergia's main investments in the country, the company's Director of Renewables, Laura Porto, was the fourth interviewee in the podcast series #DeixaElaTeInspirar. The program is conducted by Neoenergia, through its institute, to tell personal and professional trajectories of women - the new episode already available on Spotify. For the executive, diversity in companies is a factor to stimulate disruptive solutions, necessary in the energy transition environment.
"Clean and renewable energy for me is the natural path of sustainable development as well as embodying women equally in all sectors of society. I believe we need to thinkglobally," said Laura Porto to the ceo of the Neoenergia Institute, Renata Chagas.
Read the main excerpts from the interview:
Renata Chagas - You lead strategic projects of power generation in the country, have a relevant role in the electricity sector, are a member of the Board of Directors of the Brazilian Wind Energy Association (ABEEólica). Who is Laura Porto besides being the person at the head of the expansion of clean energy in Neoenergia?
Laura Porto - Above all a very simple person and very interested in the issues that impact society. A person absolutely connected with the present and, of course, always concerned about the future: renewable energies, universalization of electricity services, a growth strategy with income distribution. I believe that renewable energies, especially with wind and solar farms, in the leasing of land, lead to growth and income distribution. I am a person who has a very great concern for a sustainable world. I, on a daily basis, am also a person who seeks to connect with what truly matters in life, which are the affections and experiences we take with us, always privileginating contact with nature and working in a company that I believe in.
Renata Chagas - With your experience in the electricity sector, how do you see the issue of gender equality in the area? Do you think companies and organizations have invested in expanding opportunities for women?
Laura Porto - There has been a positive movement regarding gender equality in organizations and at Neoenergia we have many women representatives in various positions and levels of the organization. There are well-structured initiatives, such as the School of Electricians for Women, but since before that we have a close eye on the benefits that diversity brings through gender equality, but also cultural, regional, age aspects. We are a diverse company, we operate in several regions of the country, valuing all the wealth of mixtures we have in Brazil. I think it's important not to settle for the advances we've already made and stay active and always aware of these issues because it really adds a lot to the organization. After all, we talk a lot about energy transition and, for you to be in a scenario like this and in a very competitive environment, will require more innovative solutions and business environments. I am sure that diversity drives disruptive and inclusive solutions, important for us to be growing more and more sustainably.
Renata Chagas - Renewable energies have a greater female participation than in other sources. According to a survey by the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), the proportion of women in renewable energy is 32%, while in oil and gas it is 22%. Why do you think that happens? Do you think renewable energy has more opportunity for women?
Laura Porto - This is an active movement, which needs to be constantly provoked, we always have to be attentive. Structurally, the technical and leadership positions in the energy sector, regardless of whether it is renewable or not, were held by men - and still mostly are. Renewable energy particularly has a better number because it needs more innovation to compete with traditional energies already established. I believe that companies have been much more attentive, had to anticipate and modernize, not only in the business model, but also in culture: hiring professionals who think more openly, are multiple, are open to change, question the old models and propose creative solutions. It's a very competitive world, so it really needs creativity. In this new scenario, so different, women have had particular prominence, they have fit into this universe of changes because they feel agents of this transformation, they are participating. In the renewables board has a very large female presence, including in the leadership.
Renata Chagas - What are the main challenges of the electricity sector in the agenda of gender diversity and how can they be overcome?
Laura Porto - These are years and years of skewed education, where the role of women has always been closely related to non-technical activities, considered male activities. For example, I went out with two women in my class and continued for years and years. Now there are more women and I believe that it was once a legacy of the companies, which are structuring themselves, seeking a new culture and arrives at the tip, in the university, in technical schools, the importance of having women in the electricity sector. But it's an ant job, which takes a while and is structuring. You don't change a culture overnight. I am witness to the witness that we are going through a period of transition, not only energetic, but of thought. The number has increased and this has even accelerated the process of energy transition. The concept of diversity is also linked to the idea of balance. A diverse team is one in which there is parity in numbers of young people and senior professionals, of different sexual orientations, people with disabilities, blacks and blacks. For me this is diversity, that is the way and I believe that Neoenergia is very attentive to that.
Renata Chagas - Both gender equality and the supply of clean energy are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), defined in the UN 2030 Agenda. Do you think these goals are interconnected in any way?
Laura Porto - Totally. Both promote the change of thought and the questioning of old models that led the world to a very complicated existence. The well-known SDGs are a mega achievement because they guide us to a fairer, more sustainable, accessible and egalitarian society. This is our struggle, there is no way to depree any of these causes anymore. Clean and renewable energy for me is the natural path of sustainable development as well as embodying women equally in all sectors of society. I believe that we need to think globally so that the firm steps can be balanced.
Renata Chagas - What is the reality of the Renewables board at Neoenergia and how have you acted as an intraentrepreneur, in the sense of being an entrepreneur within the corporation to expand gender equality?
Laura Porto - Fortunately, the situation of the Board of Renewables is very positive in this sense. Here, the presence of women in leadership positions is common. I think we can improve, and we are in this challenge, among the coaches in the field, which I still consider a barrier to expand the female workforce. Therefore, we are working with the School of Electricians and technical schools, seeking to train professionals, including for leadership, to be managers in parks, in the part of operation and maintenance. As an intraempreendodra, what I try to do is spread this philosophy of diversity to the collaborators who are close to me. I try to pass especially on to leaders, so that they, as they have capillarity, pass on the perception I have about high performance teams and how this relates to the concept of diversity. I really don't believe in another way and, being honest, I think it's been working. I am proud to lead a team with so many women in front of diverse and very competitive teams.
Renata Chagas - You have a prominent role not only in Neoenergia, but in the electricity sector. What is your opinion about the importance of having female protagonists in these spaces?
Laura Porto - Representativeness matters. It is crucial to have women leading choices, important strategies. To, on the one hand, inspire more women and demonstrate that there is room and, on the other hand, naturalize to represent gender in markets that may still be stagnant in the old mostly male standards. I feel that my presence in these spaces sends a very clear message that we can occupy these leadership positions in any area. I talk about my example because the question is directed at me, but I feel very happy not to be the only director of Neoenergia, we have two more directors. This certainly sends a very powerful message and these powerful messages can change for much better the future of a company.
Renata Chagas - The world is living at a time when the demand for clean energy is increasing to decarbonize the economy. For you, within this context, what will be the role of women in expanding clean sources and combating climate change?
Laura Porto - I think the female force will bring more value in this and other senses of sustainable development. Combating climate change is an increasingly urgent issue in society as a whole. The future, we start doing now. The present is now, then, that we make the changes now.
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Neoenergia SA published this content on 19 January 2022 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 19 January 2022 20:34:02 UTC.
