Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Netra's Inspiring Journey in Clean Energy & Innovation

I'm writing this article thanks to a nudge I received after attending the Women in ISHRAE National Mega Event '#SHAKTI' in Mumbai. The event, themed 'Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges', was organized by women for all, and it left me deeply inspired. During one of the sessions, Netra Walawalkar shared her insights on Renewable Energy Sourcing and Integration of Energy Storage Solutions for Net Zero Built Environments, and I couldn't help but reflect on the incredible role she has played — not only in our shared personal journey but in building a thriving clean energy ecosystem over the past two decades.

Netra's journey in the energy sector began in 2006, when she joined Customized Energy Solutions in Philadelphia, USA. Initially, she played a pivotal role in building IT platforms for CES across multiple business lines, which were instrumental in enabling the company to offer advanced solutions to its clients. Recognizing her leadership potential, she was entrusted by Stephen Fernands with launching CES's energy trading practice in India in 2010-11, a pioneering effort at a time when energy markets were just beginning to evolve in the country.

Her belief in nurturing people as part of a family has created a unique culture at CES India and IESA, where team members felt valued and supported. It's this approach that enabled us to build a strong leadership team over the years, ensuring amazing growth and long-term success.

In 2012, Netra and I dreamt of building a platform to help India leapfrog in the adoption of advanced energy storage technologies, which led to the founding of the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA). From the very beginning, she brought her strategic vision, operational acumen, and ability to build partnerships to IESA. While I focused on external policy advocacy and industry leadership, Netra worked behind the scenes, building a strong foundation for the organization.

These partnerships were not merely transactional — they enabled IESA to bring global best practices to India and create opportunities for Indian companies to collaborate internationally. Netra's efforts were instrumental in establishing IESA's flagship events, including Energy Storage India (ESI), India Energy Storage Week (IESW), and the World Energy Storage Day (WESD) virtual conference.

One of Netra's defining traits is her ability to nurture communities. This became evident when she took on the mantle of leading the IESA Women in Energy initiative. Over the past five years, she has been instrumental in creating opportunities for women in what has traditionally been a male-dominated sector.

Netra's impact extends to building IESA Academy, a skill development platform designed to train the workforce for emerging industries in energy storage, electric vehicles, and green hydrogen.

In addition to building team and launching new business practices, Netra led high-impact engagements focused on helping commercial and industrial (C&I) customers, including hotels, e-commerce companies, and data centers, in developing sustainable energy procurement strategies.

As the Publisher of Emerging Technology News (2014-2024) and the host of the Emerging Tech Radio podcast, she has given voice to 100+ leaders, innovators and emerging companies in the energy space.

A particularly special moment for both of us came last year when EARTHDAY.ORG honored us as the EarthDay Network Star Couple, recognizing our collective efforts in building a sustainable future. That recognition, along with the Women's Achievement Award Netra received from MIT ADT University, was a testament not only to her professional contributions but also to her resilience, dedication, and quiet leadership.

Netra's story is not just about building organizations or leading initiatives — it's also about fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of changemakers. Together, Netra and I have been angel investors in 15+ startups, each working on innovative solutions with the potential to create significant social impact.

Among the startups we've supported, Rang De stands out as a platform that has revolutionized social lending. Another noteworthy venture is Jeevtronics, a med-tech startup that has developed India's first hand-cranked defibrillator. MindPeers focuses on mental health, and Impact App empowers users to measure and improve their personal environmental footprint.

Netra's involvement in these ventures goes beyond financial support — she actively engages with founders, offering mentorship and guidance.

As Director of CES Foundation, she has supported initiatives such as CES CARES for helping underprivileged communities in remote locations. Her involvement with SVP India further reflects her deep commitment to supporting social enterprises.

Balancing such a demanding professional life with family responsibilities is never easy, yet Netra has managed it with grace and resilience.

Reflecting on our 20-year journey together, I can see how perfectly we have complemented each other. Our shared journey has never been about individual achievements but about building something meaningful together.

Netra's story is a powerful example of quiet leadership, resilience, and purpose-driven action. She has broken barriers, built bridges, and created lasting impact — not just in the energy sector but in the lives of countless people she has touched.

Together, we've built not just businesses but a life rooted in shared values. And if there's one thing this journey has taught me, it's that true partnership is about complementing each other, not by being the same, but by bringing unique strengths to the table.