As energy transitions accelerate, the private energy sector has a significant opportunity to develop innovative solutions that address increasing global energy demand and environmental challenges. In this landscape, the involvement of executives is critical in shaping a positive organisational direction. Embracing gender diversity within leadership teams can enhance creativity and innovation, paving the way for more inclusive solutions. Female executives in the private energy sector are invaluable contributors, offering unique perspectives that can drive meaningful organisational growth and transformation.
Therefore, involving women in leadership teams can foster quality discussions and cultivate a more open environment. This edition of SDG Insights invites readers to explore these issues through a conversation with Dr Rosaya Teinwan, Deputy Managing Director of PTT Public Company Limited, who shares her experiences, challenges, and holistic perspectives on decision-making in the energy sector.
Career Path From an Engineer to a Senior Executive in Energy
Dr Rosaya Teinwan recounts her career journey in the energy sector, which began after graduating in engineering and joining PTT, where she has now worked for over 30 years. Over this time, she has taken on various roles, from maintenance engineer at a natural gas separation plant to pioneering significant projects, such as the initial deployment of fibre optic cables for communications and control within PTT during the early days of the internet. Her involvement in critical projects, including knowledge management and supply chain management, earned her recognition as a “key project lead” who grew with the organisation.
Her outstanding work and the company’s evolving scope led her to international roles, including CEO of coal mining operations in Indonesia and Singapore, as well as palm oil ventures in Indonesia. She notes that PTT’s wide range of subsidiaries offered her the opportunity to work in various locations every 3 to 4 years, enriching her experience and advancing her executive career.
Before returning to her current role at PTT, she served as Deputy Managing Director of Business Development at Global Power Synergy Public Company Limited (GPSC), a flagship PTT subsidiary focused on renewable energy. Her responsibilities included overseeing Thailand’s hydrogen and nuclear energy projects, which she believes are crucial to the nation’s clean energy transition. As Deputy Managing Director at PTT, she is tasked with leading a major business restructuring initiative across the entire PTT group, a critical role given the rapid pace of global change.
With over 30 years of diverse experience in the energy sector, Dr Rosaya combines technical expertise with executive leadership, demonstrating a comprehensive vision for organisational development.
Persistent Environmental Challenges for Women in the Energy Sector
When asked about the challenges of gender in her career, Dr Rosaya asserts that, as an executive, she has not experienced any discrimination. Nonetheless, she is deeply aware of the challenges faced by female employees. For example, female staff members often bump into difficulties in securing full cooperation during international assignments, particularly when managing specific tasks, which prompts her to step in directly as a manager to ensure progress. Furthermore, in mining environments, she recognised that specialised industrial environments often present complex logistical and operational challenges that require nuanced leadership approaches.
Dr Rosaya stresses the importance of having a “good manager” in fostering a supportive work environment. She recalls her experience when she was first appointed to an overseas position, where her manager expressed genuine concern for her wellbeing as a woman in an unfamiliar setting, particularly in Indonesia, a region with notable security challenges. Her manager persuaded her to leverage her strengths as a woman by holding meetings in safe, manageable environments, which ultimately enabled her to negotiate effectively. “Being a woman is not characteristically a drawback. It is about utilising our strengths to tackle challenging tasks,” she states—a philosophy she is dedicated to imparting. Additionally, PTT vigorously champions the involvement of women in various roles, ranging from assistant managers to senior executives.
Challenges of “Female Leadership” in Renewable Energy Compared to Coal
Dr Rosaya notes that transitioning from coal to renewable energy has presented little challenges, as there are many female leaders within the renewable sector globally. However, the coal sector poses distinct challenges. She recalls that as one of the few female CEOs in Indonesia’s male-dominated mining environment, her role was unique yet well-received. Her proactive approach and engineering background allowed her to gain trust, especially in technical discussions. She believes breaking down barriers requires building trust and creating opportunities for open dialogue, even when time is limited.
Reflecting on the past decade, Dr Rosaya highlights the importance of continuous personal development. With the internet as a “mobile library,” executives must be well-versed in technical terms and industry knowledge. This ongoing learning process enables closer engagement with staff. It enhances one’s understanding of technical energy sector terminology, even though her engineering background only slightly accelerated her grasp of these concepts.
Balancing “Life” and “Work” as a Female Executive
Dr Rosaya reflects on her past struggles with maintaining work-life balance, particularly during periods of international assignments when her responsibilities were most demanding. Motherhood, however, shifted her perspective, prompting her to redefine this balance by reserving weekends exclusively for family and dedicating weekdays to work commitments. In recent years, especially over the past four to six, she has placed an increased focus on her health, rising early each day to invest in both physical and mental wellbeing, a routine she now regards as essential for sustaining equilibrium in her life.
Dr Rosaya also acknowledges the invaluable support of her family, particularly during her children’s formative years. Recognising that many of her colleagues face similar challenges, PTT has responded by introducing daycare facilities for employees with young children. This initiative provides essential support for working parents, fostering a workplace culture that values and promotes work-life balance throughout the organisation.
Creating Opportunities for Women to Meet Future Challenges
Dr Rosaya emphasises that while current regulations promote gender diversity in executive roles, there remains a significant need to address certain work environments that are still unsuitable for women, such as those in coal mining. Integrating women into these sectors could yield substantial benefits, as female management committee members contribute unique perspectives that challenge male viewpoints, fostering more comprehensive decision-making. Additionally, women’s active team participation encourages thorough discussions and creates an open atmosphere that fosters mutual support.
This article is part of the ‘Women in Energy: Navigating Roles and Equality in Thailand’ project, a collaboration between the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Centre for SDG Research and Support (SDG Move), Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University.
