One of the main goals of the TEAD project is to empower women working in the energy sector in Ukraine. That’s why we interviewed women from all over Ukraine and created a series of biographical publications to share the fascinating experiences and successes of female energy ambassadors. We also paid special attention to the barriers that women professionals face when working in a sector that is currently dominated by men.
A Path into Energy
“My path to the energy sector was not linear — but it felt incredibly natural,” says Nataliia Revutska, economist, strategist, and coordinator of the Women’s Energy Club of Ukraine (WECU). Nataliia joined the sector in 2019, bringing her background in economics and teaching to a distribution system operator (DSO). Her first assignment was to design a corporate strategy and KPI system. “At the time, I thought I was stepping into a highly technical world,” she recalls. “But very soon I realised that what this industry truly needed — beyond engineering — was a human-centred approach: strategy, communication, and trust.” Her economics expertise equips her with strong analytical skills, from business modelling to long-term planning, while her teaching experience strengthens her ability to communicate complex issues. These skills now shape her leadership at WECU, where she develops training and outreach programmes for women in energy.
Shaping Change in Ukraine’s Energy Sector
Over more than five years in the sector, Nataliia has witnessed profound changes. Energy is no longer only about infrastructure — it is about inclusion, transparency, and resilience.
Since the start of the full-scale war, energy has become both a strategic sector and a symbol of survival. “Maintaining access to electricity and heat in frontline and de-occupied areas is a matter of dignity and security,” she stresses. In this challenging environment, women have stepped up as innovators, leaders, and local problem-solvers.
One of Nataliia’s proudest achievements is the programme “Women’s Power in Energy: New Dimensions of Entrepreneurship”, which introduced women entrepreneurs to decentralised energy solutions. Many participants had never considered energy as part of their business planning, but the combination of hands-on training and expert mentoring proved transformative. “It created a powerful environment of learning, empowerment, and peer support,” she explains.
Gender Equality as Innovation
For Nataliia, promoting gender equality in energy is both a question of justice and of smarter solutions.
“We cannot solve the climate or energy crisis while ignoring half of the population. When women are equipped and empowered, the impact is transformative — for businesses, communities, and the entire energy system.”
At WECU, she works to address barriers such as gender stereotypes, limited access to technical training, and underrepresentation in leadership. Alongside mentorship and upskilling, she advocates for deeper structural change — from gender-responsive policies and workplace inclusion to transparent recruitment and financing.
A TEAD Ambassador’s Role
Becoming a TEAD Women Energy Ambassador is, for Nataliia, both an honour and a responsibility. “It’s about inspiring others and creating bridges between women from different sectors and generations.”She sees women as central to Ukraine’s green recovery: “Energy reconstruction is not only technical — it is human. Women bring essential knowledge, emotional intelligence, and strategic vision. They will be the architects of a just and resilient energy future.”
Looking Ahead
Nataliia hopes to see gender equality embedded at the heart of energy and climate policy in Ukraine, with clear targets for women’s participation, funding for gender-sensitive programmes, and visibility for women-led innovations.
Her advice to young women is simple but powerful: “Don’t wait for permission. Be curious, build your network, and know that your perspective is needed. Most importantly, believe your voice matters — because it does.”
Beyond her professional work, Nataliia finds balance in travelling with her children, reading, and quiet walks. She draws inspiration from women leaders such as Ursula von der Leyen, whom she admires for combining strategy, empathy, and courage in advancing the European Green Deal.
Her long-term vision is ambitious: the creation of a global digital platform connecting women in energy, providing mentorship, open-source tools, and funding opportunities, alongside a scholarship scheme for women of all ages to re-skill and enter STEM careers.
“Inclusion begins with access,” she says firmly. “And that is the kind of access I want to create.”
