Building leadership skills in renewable energy: Lorena Barría joins Chile’s Women in Energy program

Lorena Barría, CFO for Korkia LatAm, is one of 67 professionals selected for the seventh generation of the Women in Energy program, organized by the World Energy Council Chile. We sat down with Lorena to learn about this leadership experience and her insights from the initiative to advance female leadership in the energy sector.

What does your role at Korkia involve?

As CFO for Korkia LatAm, I oversee all financial and administrative operations supporting our renewable energy projects. This includes managing accounting, legal documentation, and financial processes while collaborating with teams to ensure smooth project execution.

What drew you to the Women in Energy program?

I’ve followed this program for years and admired how it promotes female leadership in the energy sector. Having worked for over 12 years in renewable energy, I saw this as an opportunity to develop new skills, share my experience, and connect with other women in this dynamic field. Working in a sector that contributes to sustainability is deeply motivating, and I feel I’m making a meaningful contribution to a cleaner world.

What does the 7-month program include?

The program focuses on three core areas: systemic leadership, personal leadership, and leadership with others. It combines expert-led content sessions, small group discussions, and networking opportunities. Each session is guided by professional coaches who facilitate in-depth discussions and activities.

Has the program met your expectations?

It has exceeded them completely. While I expected networking and leadership development, through the exercises, tools, and conversations we’ve had, I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of myself in a professional context. The care and attention to detail in every session creates an exceptional experience for all participants.

Any learnings or thoughts you’d like to share at this point?

The most valuable lesson has been understanding that effective leadership starts with self-awareness. We often overlook this in our daily work, but you can’t lead others effectively without truly knowing yourself. Throughout the program, we’ve explored and applied various tools. One standout is Business Chemistry, which identifies work styles through four types: Pioneers, Guardians, Drivers, and Integrators. It’s helped me understand my own patterns and better connect with colleagues, managers, and stakeholders. I’d encourage everyone to explore this framework.

I’d also like to share a few book recommendations we’ve received during the program, all of which are closely related to the topics we’ve explored:

• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• How Women Rise by Sally Helgesen & Marshall Goldsmith
• Embracing Your Inner Critic by Hal Stone & Sidra Stone

We’re only halfway through the program and I’m excited to see what comes next!