At the recent ‘Women in Energy: Leadership and the Energy Transition’ event at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, UAE, a female-led evening focused on inspiring the next generation toward a clean energy future.
“I thought leadership meant being the person in the room with all the answers. Today I see it differently. A strong leader does not create people who wait to be told what to do. A strong leader creates other decision makers. Leadership is about asking the right questions, listening to people with different expertise, giving people responsibility, and trusting them with it.” Fatema Al Nuaimi, Chief Executive Officer of ADNOC Gas, spoke these words to the student audience gathered at the ADMA Auditorium on Khalifa University’s Sas Al Nakhl Campus.
On November 2, 2026, university students from across the UAE gathered at the Women in Energy: Leadership and the Energy Transition event at Khalifa University. Organized by the Energy Institute at Khalifa University and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the event focused on the power of inclusive leadership.
But the evening went beyond a discussion of the energy sector’s future; expert panelists shared their passion for sustainability and personal experiences, and offered advice and insights for young women entering the field.
H.E. Carola Schouten, the mayor of Rotterdam, discussed the importance and value of women in leadership positions. Although she emphasized the role of a collective society toward clean energy, she spoke passionately about the consequences of excluding women. “I believe we should be very clear about why this matters so much,” she said. “It’s not simply about giving women a seat at the table. It’s about recognizing that we simply cannot afford to leave important talent untouched.”
CEO Fatema Al Nuaimi brought her own expertise to the forefront, shining a light on the culture in the UAE, personal anecdotes, and major steps in her career. Although she began as a chemical engineer, she explained that by taking every chance that came her way, she learned the importance of diversifying her skills. “Your degree is the beginning of your career. It does not have to define the boundaries for it,” she said.
Fatema Al Nuaimi’s advice of the day: “Don’t think of energy and sustainability as competing priorities. Your challenge as engineers is to find better ways to deliver both.” Fatema also showed special gratitude to the UAE for providing the right environment for her growth, and she encouraged the next generation to continue improving: “I have been fortunate enough to build my career in a country that believes in the potential of its people. The UAE has given women of my generation and your generation opportunities that previous generations could only imagine.”
Emphasizing the importance of commitment to a sustainable transition, she closed with a call to action for the audience: “Now, you have the responsibility to go even further.”
I believe we should be very clear about why this matters so much. It’s not simply about giving women a seat at the table. It’s about recognizing that we simply cannot afford to leave important talent untouched.
H.E. Carola SchoutenA panel discussion moderated by Dr. Lourdes Vega, Senior Director of the Energy Institute, discussed the future of energy while showcasing the value of women across many specialties. Panelists included Adrienne Doolan (Managing Director of the Clean Energy Business Council MENA) and Eng. Nawal Alhanaee (Director of the Future Energy Department at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure), each panelist spoke about their own challenges and moments of success working in the energy industry. Elaborating on crucial aspects such as leadership skills, communication, versatility in work, and technological and industrial advancement, the panel finished by asking, “If you could change one thing today to accelerate the energy transition while creating more opportunities for women to live, what would it be?”
For Adrienne Doolan, the answer was clear: “What do I want to see for the future? Lots of women in senior decision-making.” Dr. Ameena Alsumaiti, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at Khalifa University, encouraged students to embrace education, develop confidence, and find opportunities to lead. “If it were up to me, then I would definitely trust the students, especially the female ones. Listen to their ideas, fund their research, and open doors for them to explore further ideas and go beyond,” she explained.
The event also showcased energy projects from female university students across the UAE, such as emergency power generation for hospitals and clean hydrogen energy solutions.
At the closing awards ceremony, Dr. Vega highlighted the profound impact of young women in the green energy transition, saying: “For you, females, believe in yourselves, and don’t stop when you find problems. Problems will always be there. The obstacles will always be there. But if you believe in yourself, you can continue, and you will succeed, because the country and the world need all of us.”
