In this episode of Energy in the Room, Katie sits down with Jessica Johnston, Chief People Officer at Aula Energy, to unpack one of the biggest challenges facing the renewables sector: people.

With a career spanning financial services, M&A, transformation, and workforce strategy, Jess shares how her unconventional journey into leadership shaped her perspective on scaling businesses, building resilient teams, and creating the human infrastructure behind Australia’s energy transition.

Together, they explore why technical brilliance alone isn’t enough to grow successful organisations, how leaders can avoid costly hiring mistakes, and why culture, adaptability, and values alignment matter more than ever in high-growth environments.

Jess also shares practical insights into:

- Interview techniques and hiring strategies for scaling teams

- Why most “mishires” are actually design failures

- The role of diversity in driving innovation and better business outcomes

- Supporting women in leadership and navigating imposter syndrome

- Building inclusive workplaces in the renewables industry

- Tackling the talent shortage through transferable skills and workforce design

This is an honest and practical conversation about leadership, workforce strategy, and the people challenges shaping the future of energy in Australia.

This podcast is brought to you by Vinova.

In this episode of Energy in the Room, Katie sits down with economist Tim Nelson, chair of the independent Nelson Review of Australia’s National Electricity Market. Tim cuts through the jargon to unpack what’s actually inside the report and what it means for renewables, storage and firming investment across the NEM.

They explore how the review tackles “hidden” behind-the-meter resources, a more weather-dependent grid and the need for credible long-term investment signals beyond the Capacity Investment Scheme. Katie also presses into the people side of the transition – from economics and engineering skill shortages to why curiosity and collaboration matter for solving first-of-a-kind system challenges.​

If you work in energy and want a clear, grounded take on where policy, markets and talent need to move next, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Energy in the Room, Katie sits down with Amy Kean, partner and co-founder at Stride Renewables. The 2 unpack Amy's 25 years spent at the intersection of energy markets, policy and project delivery. Amy shares how a “light bulb moment” in the 1990s set her on a path in renewables, what she has learned working across government, industry and NGOs, and why collaboration between public, private and communities is non‑negotiable for the transition.

She talks through the realities of policy reform and regulation, the importance of social licence, and why a fit‑for‑purpose 2030 energy market must balance economics, engineering and community. Amy also talks to us about creating genuinely diverse teams and the practical steps that help more women step into leadership and boardroom roles in the energy sector as well as her journey building Stride Renewables to bridge the gap between government and business.