Exclusive Interview: Credibility and visibility still define women’s path in energy. Change is within reach.   

Tringë Shkodra: When was the first time you understood the importance of energy in your personal life? 

Shqipe Neziri-Vela: I first realised the profound importance of energy early in my career, in my home country, Kosovo*.  This was around 2008 and 2009, while I was working on environmental and climate initiatives at the Regional Environmental Center for Southeastern Europe, and later on with the World Bank. I observed how the different challenges that Kosovo* was facing at the time, such as power outages and unreliable electricity, were impacting aspects of everyday life -- from students not being able to study properly, to cities maintaining essential services, to small businesses losing productivity. 

I began to understand that energy reliability is a social and economic lifeline. I’m not an engineer. I studied public policy. During my bachelor’s studies, I attended a course on global energy policy. I learned that you do not have to be an engineer to understand the energy sector. I saw how the sector impacts every other sector- economy, health, justice, you name it, and how one can make connections across these areas and understand the great impact that energy policy can have in a country. 

Later, I had the opportunity to work with the U.S. government through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, supporting one of the largest energy investments in Kosovo*, worth around 300 million USD. The programs focused on battery storage, renewable energy, and youth capacity building, particularly for women. This experience, together with my work in extractive industries, showed me that energy planning and decarbonization are not abstract concepts. They have direct impacts on communities, jobs, and economic resilience. 

Shkodra: What are the biggest barriers that still prevent more women from entering or advancing in the energy sector today? 

Neziri-Vela: The main barriers are largely cultural and structural. Gender stereotypes continue to influence career choices, often discouraging women from pursuing technical fields. In many cases, women are also required to prove their expertise more than their male counterparts. Limited access to mentorship is another challenge. While initiatives have improved in recent years, structured support systems are still developing. 

Finally, underrepresentation in leadership remains a key issue. The higher the level of decision-making, the fewer women are present, which reinforces existing biases and limits visibility of female role models. 

 Shkodra: Have you ever felt that being a woman shaped your experience in the sector? And have you seen changes in how women are represented or supported in the energy field today? 

Neziri-Vela: Absolutely. Especially in male-dominated environments, challenges are part of everyday experience. I recall one of my first assignments, where I was supporting a transmission operator in strategic planning. When I entered the meeting, I was the only woman in the room- all board members and department directors were male. 

There has been noticeable progress. More women are entering technical fields, and in some academic programs, they even represent the majority. There is also growing support through mentorship programs and international initiatives such as Global Women in Energy Transition and International Women in Mining, which provide visibility and advocacy platforms. 

However, significant gaps remain. Women are still underrepresented in senior leadership positions, and structured sponsorship programs, where leaders actively promote women’s advancement, are still limited. Cultural biases also continue to affect how women’s contributions are perceived. Women often need to repeatedly prove their credibility, even when they are highly qualified, because these environments are not yet fully accustomed to diverse perspectives. 

At the same time, these challenges can be transformed into opportunities. They motivated me to engage with other women in the sector and to contribute to initiatives that support women’s empowerment, such as mentorship programs, scholarships, and professional networks. These experiences strengthened my resilience and reinforced the importance of inclusion, not only as a matter of fairness but also for improving outcomes in energy governance. 

Shkodra: If you could change one thing to make the energy sector more inclusive, what would it be? 

 Neziri-Vela: I would focus on establishing structured sponsorship programs. While mentorship provides guidance, sponsorship creates real opportunities by connecting emerging professionals with senior decision-makers. 

Such programs can accelerate career advancement, normalise female leadership, and ensure more diverse perspectives in decision-making processes. Inclusion requires deliberate action across institutions, private sector, academia, and civil society. 

Shkodra: What advice would you give to women trying to enter the energy sector? 

Neziri-Vela: First, it is very important to build technical and policy expertise, because credibility is key. If you can demonstrate knowledge, capacity, and genuine interest, you will gradually find your place in male-dominated sectors. 

Second, seek mentors. There are both women and men willing to support and mentor you- you just need to reach out. Even if it does not work with one person, persistence will eventually lead to a positive outcome. 

Third, be resilient. Setbacks are part of the journey, but they should be seen as learning opportunities rather than barriers. 

Finally, and most importantly, support other women. Networks of empowered women can create systemic change. At the end of the day, only by supporting one another can we truly make a difference.