Leading through complexity and creating space
Red Rocket’s women leaders are helping to shape South Africa’s energy transition and the future of leadership within the sector. Engineering News speaks with Nichola Walker-Woodard, Director of Legal Affairs, about her work, the rapidly evolving renewable energy landscape and the opportunities it presents for women. Camerawork and editing: Miko Moodley
Nichola Walker-Woodard draws on a varied legal career spanning corporate law, business, international policy and diplomacy in her role overseeing governance, risk management and legal oversight.
The pace of renewable energy sector has been particularly exciting for Walker-Woodard. “The sector is changing monthly from new technology , finance structuring and market liberalisation. We are making decisions with imperfect information while helping to establish where this industry is going. That keeps us on our toes and means that we are constantly problem-solving. Even at director level, I am learning every day.”
Strategy, commercial judgment and law are the three pillars that define Walker-Woodard’s role in advancing renewable energy projects. Her work involves navigating complex regulatory and stakeholder environments, while coordinating legal input across expert teams. Ensuring that this collaboration works effectively requires both technical legal rigour and diplomacy.
For women entering this demanding but rewarding industry, her advice is clear: “Don’t wait for your work to be recognised. You may be brilliant at what you do, but you need to have a voice that accompanies that — jump in and create space for yourself.”
For Walker-Woodard, courageous conversations are central to leadership. “When things go wrong you need to be honest and proactive. A lot of resilience is required, and you may not always be liked for your opinion or your insistence on checks and balances.”
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