Celebrating the Women Driving Change at OpenSolar, International Women’s Day 2025
At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 to reach full gender equality. That’s over 130 years before women and men stand on truly equal ground, according to the World Economic Forum.
At OpenSolar, we believe that’s far too long to wait.
As a global tech company shaping the future of solar, we know that accelerating action — this year’s International Women’s Day theme — means taking deliberate steps to speed up progress, break down barriers, and create real opportunities for women to lead, innovate and thrive.
As our Head of Talent, Steve Badgery, puts it:
“At OpenSolar, we are incredibly proud to be championing gender diversity in the solar industry. More than 40% of our global team identify as women, and we’re honoured to count many of these talented women amongst our leadership team. But our work doesn’t stop here — we know there’s always more to do. That’s why we are deeply committed to creating meaningful opportunities for our top female talent to grow, thrive, and shape the future of solar. Together, we’re building an industry where everyone, regardless of gender, can shine.”
Meet the Women Accelerating Action
From software development to product management, user success and executive leadership, the women of OpenSolar are proving that progress doesn’t have to wait. They’re shaping products, leading teams, and challenging stereotypes every day — not just for themselves, but for the next generation of women who will follow.
Sarai Perez – Software Developer
A few years ago, Sarai didn’t picture herself in tech.
“When I thought about programmers, I imagined a white Californian prodigy guy — not a girl from Mexico sitting in an internet cafe.”
Now, she’s proud of the independence her technical skills have given her. For Sarai, accelerating action means redefining who we think belongs in STEM — and encouraging young women to bet on themselves.
“It sounds hard to believe, but if you want something bad enough and for long enough, you’ll achieve some version of it. Perseverance and hard work matter more than you think.”
Louise Butterworth – Global Head of User Success
Louise’s career in STEM has been shaped by supportive cultures and hands-on opportunities, and she’s passionate about ensuring the same for others.
“One of the best ways to support women’s career paths is by actively giving them hands-on experience with big projects early on. Confidence and credibility grow from real experience, not just encouragement.”
As a leader, Louise knows that representation matters — not just in numbers, but in styles of leadership too.
“I’m not the loudest in the room, and for a while I thought I needed to change my personality to succeed. But the truth is, you don’t have to be loud to be heard — you just need to believe in your ideas and speak up when it matters.”
Colette Ocampo – Product Manager
For Colette, accelerating action means creating pathways for women to enter solar and tech from all backgrounds — not just those who started in STEM.
“I wish there were more opportunities for women from other fields to transition into tech and solar. We bring valuable perspectives, and those perspectives make the whole industry stronger.”
Colette is also living proof of how powerful curiosity can be:
“Follow your curiosity, ask lots of questions, and reach out to people who can share what they know. A growth mindset matters more than having all the answers upfront.”
Accelerating Action — Every Day, Not Just Today
At OpenSolar, celebrating International Women’s Day isn’t just about reflecting on progress — it’s about committing to move faster. To open doors sooner. To amplify voices louder. To challenge outdated assumptions about who belongs where — in tech, in leadership, in solar, and beyond.
