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WING interview with Magaly Flores, Manager Renewable Energy at CFE, Mexico

WING interview with Magaly Flores, Manager Renewable Energy at CFE, Mexico Editorial team of Revista Mexicana de Geoenergía, left to right Heber Diez, Teresa Ortega, Magaly Flores and Jorge Soto (source: CFE)
Alexander Richter 17 Apr 2017

In this interview, we are able to talk to Magaly Flores, the Manager for Renewable Energy at Mexican utility CFE, as part of our interview series with Women in Geothermal (WING).

Meet Magaly Flores Armenta – an engineer, a manager, an energy leader, a daughter, wife, mother and the WinG Ambassador of Mexico! She became involved in geothermal early in her career as a chemical engineer for the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), and went on to obtain a Masters in Petroleum Engineering in Scotland. She also studied at the University of Auckland and has certificates in Management Skills ITESM, International Leadership, and Design of Electricity Markets and Energy Integration. Since 2014, Magaly has managed the Renewable Energy Sector for CFE, where she coordinates exploration studies and new infrastructure projects with geothermal, solar, wind and other non-conventional renewable energy sources. She also leads the CFE team that participates in long term auctions in Mexico, placing projects to offer energy, power and clean energy certificates to the Mexican electric market.

MagalyFlores_CFE_Mexico

 

What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a teenager my parents had a close friend who worked in a marine platform for the oil industry. His stories around his work always motivated me, so since that time I decided to study the same as him: “chemical engineer”. While studying chemical engineering my expectations were to work for different industrial processes, but I ended up working for an energy company (CFE), that turns to be related with the use of the geothermal energy to generate electricity. I started working in the reservoir engineering area, which by the way, is a very fascinating area of applied science and very related with those tools coming from the oil industry. Ten years later I did a master degree in petroleum engineering to accomplish my earlier thoughts, but then totally related to the application to geothermal issues.

What motivates you?

In the daily work, I really like to have projects with high challenges and expectations. In my personal life my family motivates me, specially my two daughters, my husband and my great parents.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I have been working in the geothermal industry for more than 23 years, at those early stages of my professional life; this industry was dominated by male scientists. I have been lucky enough to have mentors that push me forward everything and believed in me. I have been “first women” occupying all the small steps in my career until my actual position as general manager of geothermal activities of the company in Mexico… and now I can say that I have been “spearhead” to open opportunities to other great and highly prepared woman in the organization. Each step has been an achievement and others to come will be too.

What do you believe has been the key to your success?

In geothermal you normally find greater complexity to deal with the resource. This requires greater creativity, which often results from teams that can bring a variety of experiences, perspectives, and problem-solving approaches to the table. I think that success can be possible with 10% inspiration and 90% hard work. No many things can be gotten without effort. Hard work, initiative, creativity and a bit of stubbornness, all together with a highly committed team.

What do you believe are the personality traits of great leaders?

If you expect your team to work hard and produce quality content, you’re going to need to lead by example. Great leaders, according to Forbes (and I indeed agree) should possess some key qualities such as honestly, effective delegation, communication, confidence, commitment, positive attitude, creativity, intuition, inspire and approach.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle for women in the geothermal sector?

Every day is a challenge, which requires determination, critical thinking, and intra-personal skills. In some societies, being a women involved in technical work is one additional challenge. I can assure you that things have changed tremendously from my beginnings to date, but still there are many things to do.

Unfortunately, on many occasions we or our female colleagues try to convince us that we are not qualified to ascend professional positions. The requirement to be successful in both professional and personal life is sometimes exhausting. Unfortunately, I have heard about women discourage others to accept a position of greater responsibility because they will neglect their family life. It is necessary for men to give their support to women, but for women to give their support to other women, to act more as a collective. WING organization is doing this very well.

Many years ago I had the fortune of being given to read two books related to the subject, and then I knew that I was not alone and that others have been in the same position or with the same feeling than me. The advices given on these readings have been very helpful, so I really recommend you to have a look on those books: “Lean in” by Sheryl Sandberg and “What it takes” by Amy Henry, both are easy reading and very fun.

Why do you think it is important for women in geothermal to join forces?

WING is a great organization to join forces to empower women in geothermal energy. It is important that the young professionals know that they are not alone and that we have a support group, which besides being formed by excellent professionals and scientists, is extremely fun.

This type of international coaching is also very important to facilitate the path of those who come in pushing strongly towards new possibilities and it is here where you can share experiences, advice and facts, as well as avoid past mistakes.

What do you wish you’d known at the start of your career?

I would have liked to know that tutoring in the industry is one of the best things that can happen to you. Such generous, friendly and selfless support is one of the best experiences I have had and has given me endless opportunities. I would have liked to have learned a lot more from these mentors. Without your advice, regiments, demands, knowledge and life experiences, I would not be the professional that I am today.

I wish I had known that it is okay to ask, even if it seems silly and worth asking for help, when we did not find the answer. Many people are willing to offer that help.

Magaly may be contacted regarding WinG and her activities in Mexico at Magaly_flores_a@hotmail.com

We would like to thank Laura Garchar a WING member in the U.S. and Staff Engineer with Cesare Inc. who helped make this interview possible.