In honour of International Women’s Day, we sat down with Senior Blade Specialist, Aura Venessa Paguagan at Wind Power LAB, to talk about her career journey, what keeps her motivated, and her advice for other women thinking about a future in wind.
We hope that through sharing our own insights and stories of success, career paths into the wind sector can continue to become more accessible for women worldwide.
What is your role at Wind Power LAB?
I am currently a Senior Blade Specialist at Wind Power LAB, where I work with wind farm owner, operators, and insurance market to understand blade issues, investigate blade failures, assess potential risks, and provide fact-based analysis to determine the best path forward for both operational decisions and insurance claims.
How did you get into the wind industry?
When I was choosing my study path, I knew I wanted to work in an industry with purpose, one where my daily work could contribute to something bigger. That led me to study Wind Energy, focusing on blade materials and its structural behavior, which are areas that really sparked my interest. Learning how blade materials perform under different loading condition and having interest in different blade failure modes opened the door for me to start my career in wind industry.
What is your favourite part of your role? Are there any highlights from your career?
The part that I enjoy the most about my role is helping clients to solve real problems, whether it’s mitigating risk in daily asset operations or supporting investigations after major blade failure events. The work is indeed technically challenging but knowing our work helps the industry is incredibly motivating and rewarding.
What would you like to share with other women curious about starting a career in wind?
For young women considering a career in wind, stay curious and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. The industry is full of opportunities and knowledge to absorb. Stay true to yourself, ask questions, and go for it – there’s a lot of room for you here! Most importantly, your perspective and expertise have value.
Conclusion
Whether it be a technician working out in the field, a member of support staff in the office, an engineer, or a business executive, women play a key role in the work we do within the renewable industry.
We recognise and celebrate the new perspectives and approaches to problem-solving that comes with an inclusive and diverse team. It’s what drives innovation and allows us to excel in making real progress within the wind industry.
Wind Power LAB is proud to have a team of brilliant specialists like Aura, who continue to drive the wind industry forward and make a positive impact globally. Happy International Women’s Day.
