08 Mar 2024

Spotlight on women driving change in the energy sector

As we celebrate International Women’s Day at Dimeta, we proudly embrace this year’s theme of “Invest in women: Accelerate progress.” Today, we shine a spotlight on the remarkable women at Dimeta, recognizing their outstanding careers, achievements, and unique perspectives. Join us as we delve into their experiences and insights on how companies can drive progress and foster gender equality in the workplace.

“Investing in true gender equality is non-negotiable. Today, 32% of the global renewable energy sector workforce is women, with 22% in the energy sector overall. It should be seen as a strategic imperative for all companies to grow this proportion meaningfully. By providing equal opportunities, promoting diverse leadership, and implementing inclusive policies, companies can harness the untapped potential of all individuals, fuel innovation, and drive transformative change. At Dimeta, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where all employees, regardless of gender, have equal opportunities to thrive and succeed. We firmly believe that by championing gender equality in the workplace, we can build a more robust and sustainable future for our organisation and the wider energy industry”.

Sophia Haywood, Head of Advocacy and Communications

Sophia Haywood, Director of Advocacy & Communications

Sophia Haywood is the Director of Advocacy and Communications. She is responsible for leading the strategy and implementation of public affairs campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and external communications to promote and secure support for Dimeta and Renewable & Recycled Carbon DME. Sophia’s role involves engaging with politicians and policymakers at various national and international levels, including the UK, US and EU. She also works closely with the LPG industry’s associations to influence policy and raise awareness of transitioning to a future with DME.

Sophia takes pride in the progress Dimeta has made since its inception. When she joined in August 2022, the organization was newly established, and she had to set up infrastructure and initiate various processes from scratch. From that point onward, Sophia built, developed and executed advocacy and communications strategies that continuously evolved with changing policies and industry landscapes.

Connect with Sophia

“Investing in an inclusive culture and practical actions is key to driving progress and fostering gender equality in the workplace. It’s about promoting opportunities for development and learning, and for women to take on positions of responsibility. These actions enable individuals to reach their full potential, fostering a more diverse and inclusive environment and ultimately leading to better results”.

Lizzie German, Investment and Technology Manager

Lizzie German joined Dimeta two years ago as the Investment and Technology Manager, and she is an integral part of the business development team. In her role, she manages partnerships between Dimeta and renewable & recycled carbon DME production plant developers. This entails overseeing the project schedule, business cases, and commercial developments. Lizzie also handles the sustainability aspects of Dimeta’s operations, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and conducting sustainability assessments.

As a member of Dimeta since its inception, she takes great pride in the growth and impact the company has achieved in a short span of two years. She also won the Young Person in LPG Outstanding Achievement Award from Liquid Gas UK, and she considers herself privileged to work with such a knowledgeable and passionate team at Dimeta.

Connect with Lizzie

“Gender equality is not just a goal to strive for, but a necessary foundation for progress and success in the workplace. Investing in women is an investment in the future – it drives innovation, ignites creativity, and enhances productivity. At Dimeta, we are committed to leading the way in promoting gender equality, by providing equal opportunities, mentorship, and support, to drive innovation, creativity, and collaboration”.

Anna Pantazi, Communications Officer

Anna Pantazi is the Communications Officer at Dimeta and is responsible for external communications. With a background in public relations and branding, Anna’s passion lies in storytelling – effectively communicating the inspiring narrative of Dimeta. Anna works closely with the Head of Advocacy and Communications to shape the company’s messaging, build brand awareness, and promote the benefits of renewable and recycled carbon DME.

Connect with Anna

“Advancing gender equality is critical in fostering a healthy and fruitful working environment. It should be a prerequisite to provide equal recourses and opportunities to all irrespective of their gender as it is fundamental for the foundation of a prosperous and sustainable world. We, at Dimeta take pride in promoting a diverse and inclusive working environment for women by valuing their aspirations, fostering equal potential for growth and a capacity for leadership advancement as well as the right for equivalent payment.”

Lilla Fábián, Office Manager

Lilla Fábián is the Office Manager at Dimeta and has recently been promoted to HR assistant. Her core responsibilities lie with secretarial, administrative, and office management support. She is enthusiastic about embarking on her new role as an HR assistant. With her supporting role, she is significantly contributing to the effective functioning of Dimeta as a company.

Connect with Lilla

“I greatly appreciate our emphasis on celebrating women, as it truly reflects our core values. Throughout history, women have faced numerous obstacles and fought for their rights, whether it be suffrage or participating in electoral competitions, not to mention the challenges of motherhood. Regrettably, gender discrimination still persists to some extent in every country worldwide. While there have been policy advancements, such as the ‘Women on Boards’ and ‘EU pay transparency’ directives, there is still much work to be done. Fortunately, at Dimeta, equal opportunities are not just a goal, but a norm, fostering a positive and inclusive working environment. This is certainly something worth celebrating!”

Stefania Bostan, Public Affairs Officer

With over 12 years in the public sector and European affairs, Stefania serves as Dimeta’s Public Affairs Officer. She oversees the impact of policies on our company and fosters dialogue with European and national policy stakeholders to drive a positive uptake for renewable liquid gases. In her previous roles, Stefania coordinated government-parliament relations from the position of state secretary. As a consultant, she supported companies and international associations in navigating complex European and national regulatory landscapes.

Connect with Stefania

“Embracing the power of multi-diverse teams fosters an environment where a variety of perspectives enriches discussions, leading to better and more sustainable decisions. Let’s empower women to thrive!”

Katrien Wijsman, Business Development Director

As the Business Development Director at Dimeta, Katrien Wijsman collaborates with a team to facilitate ongoing projects that focus on scaling the production of renewable and recycled carbon DME. This involves actively engaging with technology providers and various partners to initiate projects that develop the production of renewable and recycled carbon DME in Europe and the US. Katrien’s role plays a critical part in driving Dimeta’s growth and expansion.

Connect with Katrien

“As a woman, I believe that companies can drive progress and foster gender equality in the workplace by implementing policies and initiatives that support women’s advancement. This includes promoting equal pay, offering flexible work arrangements, providing mentorship and sponsorship programs, investing in leadership development for women, and creating inclusive environments that value diversity and empower women to succeed.”

Mara Sanchez, Project Manager Sustainable Fuels

Mara Sanchez serves as the Project Manager for Sustainable Fuels at Dimeta. She focuses on managing and supporting the development of commercial-scale low-carbon DME production plants throughout all project stages. With a background in engineering and a passion for renewable energy and sustainable solutions, Mara is a strong asset to the Business Development Team.

Connect with Mara

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This International Women’s Day, 8 March 2024, the United Nations theme is Invest in women: Accelerate progress.

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