“Always prioritize your development – seek out new skills and experiences that challenges you” Florencia Rodriguez, Inclusion and Diversity Global Chair & Head of Finance Sales Americas at Siemens Energy
-
With over 15 years in the energy sector, I specialize in people development, leadership, mentoring, coaching, and fostering inclusive workplaces across multicultural teams. My international experience has given me a deep appreciation for cultural diversity, enabling me to lead global teams effectively and adapt strategies for different markets. As Head of Finance Sales for the Americas at Siemens Energy, I lead a diverse team spread across the Americas, delivering decarbonization solutions to key industries. In addition to my industry expertise, I hold the position of Global Gender Network Champion within the Inclusion and Diversity Council. My work is focused on advancing gender equity, talent development, and creating programs to support underrepresented groups. I am passionate about building supportive work environments that encourage individual potential, and I have led numerous initiatives designed to foster career growth, especially for women and underrepresented groups. I am a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® by the Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC)® and recognized as a Change Agent within my organization, advocating for equal opportunities and inclusivity, and lead efforts to strengthen our organizational culture. Recognized for my leadership, I was selected for prestigious programs such as the LEAD program by WOMEN Unlimited, Inc., and Siemens Energy's Catalysta program, both designed to accelerate career advancement for high-potential women leaders. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, I strive to bring a global perspective to every initiative, working to build a more inclusive, collaborative future for the energy sector worldwide.
Nominated by Linette Casey.
What is the best advice someone has ever given you?
The best advice I’ve received is to find your purpose and connect with it. Understanding what drives you gives meaning to everything you do. Another piece of advice that stuck with me is to never stop having fun. We work hard, but it’s important to enjoy the journey and create moments of joy along the way – it keeps life balanced and fulfilling.
What advice would you give us?
My advice is to always prioritize your development, both personally and professionally. Never stop learning—seek out new skills and experiences that challenge you. Grow your network by connecting with people who inspire you, share your values, and bring different perspectives. Most importantly, pay it forward. Use what you’ve learned to support others, whether through mentoring, sharing opportunities, or simply offering encouragement. Success is most fulfilling when it’s shared.
An essential quality to lead…
For me, an essential quality of a leader is having a clear vision and the ability to communicate it effectively. Vision provides direction and purpose, inspiring the team to work toward shared goals. Communication ensures that this vision is understood, creates alignment, and fosters collaboration. A leader who can articulate their vision with clarity and enthusiasm empowers their team to stay motivated and focused, even in challenging times.
What book, podcast, YouTube channel or any other type of content do you recommend us…
I recommend a few great resources: Brené Brown’s podcasts for insights on vulnerability and leadership, Laurie Santos’ the Happiness Lab for science-backed advice on happiness, and Simon Sinek’s content for inspiring conversations about purpose. I also suggest reading ‘The Culture Map’ by Erin Meyer, which explores how cultural differences impact communication and collaboration—a must-read for anyone working in global teams.
What historical figure would you like to have on your team?
I would like to have Malala Yousafzai on my team because of her unwavering commitment to girls’ education and equality. Her resilience in the face of adversity and her ability to inspire others to take action are qualities I deeply admire.
Have you always been clear about your professional objective?
No, I haven’t always been clear about my professional objective. I’ve always been driven by curiosity and a desire to work in places where I can learn new things. As expectations and priorities evolved over time, so did my professional focus. Throughout my career, I’ve held different roles in various countries, but the common thread has been the opportunity to learn and lead—whether it’s teams, initiatives, or programs. I’ve particularly enjoyed using creativity to support others in their growth and the development of talent, which I find incredibly rewarding.
What is the bravest decision you have made in our life?
Leaving my job and traveling around the world with just one backpack. Taking this leap of faith meant stepping away from the security of a steady career to pursue personal growth and exploration. I had always been passionate about discovering new cultures, and this journey gave me the freedom to experience the world on my own terms. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, taught me to trust myself, and helped me gain a deeper understanding of the importance of diversity and connection. This decision was transformative, shaping the way I approach challenges and opportunities today.
What is the most curious app you have on your mobile?
Two apps I use a lot are Calm and Poe. Calm helps me with meditation and breathing exercises, which is essential for staying grounded and reducing stress. Poe, on the other hand, connects with artificial intelligence tools, simplifying tasks by offering quick insights and creative solutions. I also use Poe for image creation, which I enjoy doing with my kids to create story characters. It’s a fun and creative way to engage with them while exploring the possibilities of AI, and it adds a lot of excitement to our storytelling moments.
What do people assume about you, and that isn’t true?
People often assume that because I work to inspire younger generations of girls to pursue STEM careers, I must be an engineer myself, but my background is in business. My goal is to show these girls that they can choose any career path and succeed. By connecting them with inspiring role models, I hope to encourage more women to aim for decision-making roles, especially in creating future technologies within the energy sector.
What do you think will be the next revolution in your sector/industry?
I believe the next revolution in the energy sector will be shaped by the rise of data centers and their push toward sustainability. As data centers consume increasing amounts of energy, they will need to adopt renewable energy sources, advanced technologies, and AI-driven optimization to improve efficiency.
What do you admire and do not tolerate in a person?
I admire drive, initiative, and honesty in a person. I believe these qualities are essential for growth and building trust in both personal and professional relationships. On the other hand, I don’t tolerate discrimination or a lack of integrity. Respect for others and maintaining a strong moral compass are fundamental values for me.
Which three top managers would you like to nominate?
Agustin Harriague, VP Logistics at Mitsubishi Power Americas.
Crystal Sanchez, Regional Client Manager at Siemens Energy.
Florina Minzat, Women entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Ecothermiq.
“Always prioritize your development – seek out new skills and experiences that challenges you” Florencia Rodriguez, Inclusion and Diversity Global Chair & Head of Finance Sales Americas at Siemens Energy
-
With over 15 years in the energy sector, I specialize in people development, leadership, mentoring, coaching, and fostering inclusive workplaces across multicultural teams. My international experience has given me a deep appreciation for cultural diversity, enabling me to lead global teams effectively and adapt strategies for different markets. As Head of Finance Sales for the Americas at Siemens Energy, I lead a diverse team spread across the Americas, delivering decarbonization solutions to key industries. In addition to my industry expertise, I hold the position of Global Gender Network Champion within the Inclusion and Diversity Council. My work is focused on advancing gender equity, talent development, and creating programs to support underrepresented groups. I am passionate about building supportive work environments that encourage individual potential, and I have led numerous initiatives designed to foster career growth, especially for women and underrepresented groups. I am a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® by the Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC)® and recognized as a Change Agent within my organization, advocating for equal opportunities and inclusivity, and lead efforts to strengthen our organizational culture. Recognized for my leadership, I was selected for prestigious programs such as the LEAD program by WOMEN Unlimited, Inc., and Siemens Energy's Catalysta program, both designed to accelerate career advancement for high-potential women leaders. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, I strive to bring a global perspective to every initiative, working to build a more inclusive, collaborative future for the energy sector worldwide.
Nominated by Linette Casey.
What is the best advice someone has ever given you?
The best advice I’ve received is to find your purpose and connect with it. Understanding what drives you gives meaning to everything you do. Another piece of advice that stuck with me is to never stop having fun. We work hard, but it’s important to enjoy the journey and create moments of joy along the way – it keeps life balanced and fulfilling.
What advice would you give us?
My advice is to always prioritize your development, both personally and professionally. Never stop learning—seek out new skills and experiences that challenge you. Grow your network by connecting with people who inspire you, share your values, and bring different perspectives. Most importantly, pay it forward. Use what you’ve learned to support others, whether through mentoring, sharing opportunities, or simply offering encouragement. Success is most fulfilling when it’s shared.
An essential quality to lead…
For me, an essential quality of a leader is having a clear vision and the ability to communicate it effectively. Vision provides direction and purpose, inspiring the team to work toward shared goals. Communication ensures that this vision is understood, creates alignment, and fosters collaboration. A leader who can articulate their vision with clarity and enthusiasm empowers their team to stay motivated and focused, even in challenging times.
What book, podcast, YouTube channel or any other type of content do you recommend us…
I recommend a few great resources: Brené Brown’s podcasts for insights on vulnerability and leadership, Laurie Santos’ the Happiness Lab for science-backed advice on happiness, and Simon Sinek’s content for inspiring conversations about purpose. I also suggest reading ‘The Culture Map’ by Erin Meyer, which explores how cultural differences impact communication and collaboration—a must-read for anyone working in global teams.
What historical figure would you like to have on your team?
I would like to have Malala Yousafzai on my team because of her unwavering commitment to girls’ education and equality. Her resilience in the face of adversity and her ability to inspire others to take action are qualities I deeply admire.
Have you always been clear about your professional objective?
No, I haven’t always been clear about my professional objective. I’ve always been driven by curiosity and a desire to work in places where I can learn new things. As expectations and priorities evolved over time, so did my professional focus. Throughout my career, I’ve held different roles in various countries, but the common thread has been the opportunity to learn and lead—whether it’s teams, initiatives, or programs. I’ve particularly enjoyed using creativity to support others in their growth and the development of talent, which I find incredibly rewarding.
What is the bravest decision you have made in our life?
Leaving my job and traveling around the world with just one backpack. Taking this leap of faith meant stepping away from the security of a steady career to pursue personal growth and exploration. I had always been passionate about discovering new cultures, and this journey gave me the freedom to experience the world on my own terms. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, taught me to trust myself, and helped me gain a deeper understanding of the importance of diversity and connection. This decision was transformative, shaping the way I approach challenges and opportunities today.
What is the most curious app you have on your mobile?
Two apps I use a lot are Calm and Poe. Calm helps me with meditation and breathing exercises, which is essential for staying grounded and reducing stress. Poe, on the other hand, connects with artificial intelligence tools, simplifying tasks by offering quick insights and creative solutions. I also use Poe for image creation, which I enjoy doing with my kids to create story characters. It’s a fun and creative way to engage with them while exploring the possibilities of AI, and it adds a lot of excitement to our storytelling moments.
What do people assume about you, and that isn’t true?
People often assume that because I work to inspire younger generations of girls to pursue STEM careers, I must be an engineer myself, but my background is in business. My goal is to show these girls that they can choose any career path and succeed. By connecting them with inspiring role models, I hope to encourage more women to aim for decision-making roles, especially in creating future technologies within the energy sector.
What do you think will be the next revolution in your sector/industry?
I believe the next revolution in the energy sector will be shaped by the rise of data centers and their push toward sustainability. As data centers consume increasing amounts of energy, they will need to adopt renewable energy sources, advanced technologies, and AI-driven optimization to improve efficiency.
What do you admire and do not tolerate in a person?
I admire drive, initiative, and honesty in a person. I believe these qualities are essential for growth and building trust in both personal and professional relationships. On the other hand, I don’t tolerate discrimination or a lack of integrity. Respect for others and maintaining a strong moral compass are fundamental values for me.
Which three top managers would you like to nominate?
Agustin Harriague, VP Logistics at Mitsubishi Power Americas.
Crystal Sanchez, Regional Client Manager at Siemens Energy.
Florina Minzat, Women entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Ecothermiq.
Get to know it, more.
“The most fulfilling opportunities often come from exploring how your unique strengths and passions intersect in unexpected ways” Yolanda McLean, Senior Director, Quality Strategy & Operations, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals