Women Energizing the Future: A Spark-Filled Solar Speed Dating Recap
Written by Dr. Gurleen Kaur
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025
On March 6th, I had the absolute pleasure of organizing and moderating one of the most energizing and heartfelt events I’ve been a part of: Solar Speed Dating – Women Energizing the Future, co-hosted by the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) and the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET), to mark International Women’s Day 2025.
This wasn’t your typical webinar. Instead, it was a fast-paced, interactive space where students and early-career professionals got the chance to sit down—virtually—with some of the most inspiring women in the solar sector. We used a “speed dating” format, rotating expert speakers through small breakout rooms for intimate conversations about careers, challenges, life choices, and everything in between. The energy in each room was electric.
We opened with an inspiring keynote from Dr. Viktoria Martin (ISES President), who highlighted ISES’s proud legacy of gender equity—from female leadership at the helm to its all-women HQ team. Christine Lins, a powerhouse voice in the global energy transition and the force behind GWNET, shared her vision of empowering women across the energy transition, and reminded us all why these conversations matter.
One of the most memorable moments came with a special address by Solar Sisters – Ms. Olasimbo Sojinrin, the winners of the ISES and Elsevier Renewable Transformation Challenge 2023. Their work—empowering women entrepreneurs to bring clean energy to remote African communities—is a shining example of what transformation looks like when equity and energy go hand in hand. Their story added depth, hope, and urgency to our conversations.
Then the real magic began. From Dr. Saman Gunasekara, Dr. Aline Kirsten, Ms. Toyn Ogedengbe, Dr. Paulette Middleton, and more, our expert speakers brought honesty, warmth, and deep insight into every room. No topic was off-limits—be it breaking barriers in male-dominated spaces, juggling career transitions, or turning a passion for climate into a profession.
What struck me most was the mutual energy in the room—not just from those seeking advice, but from the speakers themselves. We often forget how much inspiration flows in both directions.
💬 ““Truly inspiring to meet and talk to so many women from many different backgrounds and from all around the world uniting towards renewable energy transition” — one participant told us.
We also took this opportunity to introduce everyone to Young ISES, the ISES Solar World Congress, and the InCoRE program—concrete pathways for staying engaged, building skills, and finding community in the solar space.
As someone who believes deeply in the power of mentorship and representation, this event reaffirmed that we are building a network—not just of professionals, but of women who uplift, support, and energize each other.
To everyone who joined: thank you for bringing your curiosity, courage, and spark.
And if you missed it—don’t worry. The sun hasn’t set on these conversations. This is just the beginning.
