Breaking barriers: women in STEM share their journey
February 11 is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. To mark this occasion, we interviewed four Gridspertise Group’s female colleagues working in STEM: Alessandra Boscagin, Fernanda Antunes Paletta, Imma Ferrini, and Bella Lerch.
Milan, February 11 2025 - Dana Scully, played by Gillian Anderson in the 1990s TV series “The X-Files”, was a groundbreaking female character in a STEM field. A study by the Geena Davis Institute found that women who watched the show were 50% more likely to pursue STEM careers, with nearly two-thirds attributing their interest to Scully.
The "Scully Effect" emphasizes how representation influences women's career choices in STEM. Diverse female characters in media help break down stereotypes and inspire women to see themselves in these roles. Representation is crucial; its absence can hinder young girls and women from envisioning themselves in these careers. Currently, women make up about 25% of the workforce in the overall energy sector, with 32% working in renewable energies.
February 11 is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, promoting equal access and participation in STEM for women and girls. To mark this occasion, we interviewed four Gridspertise Group female colleagues from Italy, Finland and Brazil, to contribute to the representation of women in STEM and to gain their perspectives on the role of women within the Gridspertise Group.
We heard the stories of Alessandra Boscagin, Head of Excellence Pool, who leads a team of over 80 engineers from Gridspertise Headquarters in Milan; Fernanda Antunes Paletta, Metering Product Manager working from Gridspertise LATAM subsidiary in São Paulo; Bella Lerch, Technical Specialist in the Aidon One maintenance team at our Group Company Aidon based in Jyväskylä; and Imma Ferrini, Team Leader of FW testing team at Gridspertise. Their collective experiences and insights serve as a powerful reminder that STEM careers are not just about technical skills but also about curiosity, resilience, and the empowerment to make a real impact.
Finding a path in STEM
The journey into STEM is unique for everyone, shaped by personal experiences, interests, and opportunities.
Both Alessandra Boscagin and Imma Ferrini found their love for STEM in the classroom, influenced by their enjoyment of Mathematics, Geometry and Physics. “Since elementary school, I have always been curious about how things work and a passion for technology has always driven me,” Alessandra Boscagin shares. This led her to study electronic engineering at Politecnico di Milano and later pursue a Master’s in Innovation and Technology Management. Her passion for solving problems is still a distinctive trait of her work attitude: “I always say that part of our job is like solving a complicated puzzle or mysteries,” she adds.
Similarly, Ferrini’s fascination with energy and power shaped her decision to study Electrical Engineering. “While studying Physics, electricity captivated me as something intangible and yet crucial for our lives. Even today, smart meters are essential for our daily lives.”
In contrast, Bella Lerch’s path was unconventional. Originally from Hungary, she initially studied Linguistics, focusing on German and Finnish. In her 30s, she felt drawn to the technical field. "I started with baby steps, taking individual courses through Open University to see if I was capable and truly interested. Now, I am finishing my master’s in information technology." Her motivation was to find a career that was continuously challenging and allowed her to contribute to innovation.
Fernanda Antunes Paletta’s journey was more direct yet it seamlessly blended scientific and humanistic approaches. At 14, growing up in Brazil, she chose a technical curriculum in high school: "I was good with numbers, so I pursued Electrotechnics, already in the energy world. From there, Engineering was a natural choice." She later combined technical expertise with marketing, the area where she still works today. "Having a technical background helps me in understanding commercial aspects, and now I am also studying Psychology to enrich my understanding of people and decision-making."
Challenges and Overcoming Barriers
Even though STEM fields are traditionally and still male-dominated in all geographies, the experiences of the interviewees in Gridspertise go against this trend.
Alessandra Boscagin, who recalls being one of the few girls attending Engineering at the Politecnico di Milano and one of the few women in the field when she started working, highlights: “The spirit of Gridspertise has been different since its inception. Diversity is part of our essence, it is a mix of cultures, we are from Italy, Brazil, Spain, and now Finland. It is a part of our DNA. Gender diversity has been overcome, and it is great to hear how different backgrounds and perspectives can enhance problem-solving and innovation.”
“In our marketing team, we were mostly women, and diversity was the opposite for us,” Fernanda Antunes Paletta shares, “while in technology and development, men still dominate. But things are changing.” Bella Lerch confirms it but underscores that “it is normal for a woman to join this team.”
Since joining the Gridspertise Group, Imma Ferrini recalls her university difficulties with a different perspective: “At Politecnico di Bari, we were three girls out of 50, and the guys were always wanting to be better than us. This influenced my professional journey and my way of being, as my passion for women in power. Everything changed when I joined this Group: I moved to Milan for work, and I was lucky to have a woman, Alessandra, as my boss. Nowadays, teams are more mixed, positively impacting personal growth. Stereotypes or prejudices simply do not exist in Gridspertise.”
Alessandra Boscagin - Head of Excellence Pool
“Since its inception, diversity has been part of Gridspertise’s DNA. Gender diversity has been overcome, and it is great to hear how different backgrounds and perspectives can enhance problem-solving and innovation.”
Imma Ferrini - Team Leader of FW Testing Team
“At Politecnico di Bari, we were three girls out of 50, and the guys always competed with us. Everything changed when I joined the Gridspertise Group. Nowadays, teams are more mixed, positively impacting personal growth. Stereotypes or prejudices simply do not exist.”
Balancing work and personal life is Alessandra Boscagin’s current challenge. Today, she faces new difficulties: “Managing motherhood while staying committed to a demanding career is a daily challenge,” she admits. Fernanda Antunes Paletta highlights an emerging trend in Brazil, where many women are choosing careers in IT to balance work and motherhood: “The number of women in IT is growing. Due to the possibility of working remotely, women are changing completely their careers because they can work from home and taking care of their children. I believe this path is an opportunity for women.”
Fernanda Antunes Paletta - Metering Product Manager
"The number of women in IT is growing. Remote work allows them to balance careers and motherhood, presenting new opportunities."
Bella Lerch - Technical Specialist in the Aidon One maintenance team
“If a STEM path crosses your mind, explore it! There are many opportunities, and smart, hardworking people are always needed.”
The impact of diversity in Gridspertise Group
Diversity in the workplace is increasingly recognized as essential for fostering innovation and driving progress. The Gridspertise Group has always been at the forefront in this regard. An equalizing and inclusive environment, where the unique styles, viewpoints, and approaches of all employees are valued and respected, is essential for forming high-performing teams and driving innovative solutions.
This demonstrates that at the Gridspertise Group, every person's uniqueness is valued and plays a crucial role in solving complex problems. Imma Ferrini confirms: “We are all different, we all come from different backgrounds, and this diversity is our added value.”
This vision aligns with the core values of the Gridspertise Group, guiding both current and future decisions with a steadfast commitment to equal opportunity. Central to this belief is the understanding that gender diversity not only enhances innovation but also boosts business performance.
Advice to next generation
When asked what advise they would give to young women considering STEM careers, belonging to a community emerges as a key factor at any age for women in STEM. Alessandra Boscagin recognizes its significance, recalling that it was lacking at the beginning of her career: “I advise my junior colleagues to create a community, to have support among women who share the same interests, experience, and who encourage each other.”
On the other hand, Bella Lerch encourages: “If a STEM path crosses your mind, explore it! There are many opportunities, and smart, hardworking people are always needed.” Even if many obstacles have been overcome as the example of the Gridspertise Group proves, the next generation is asked to break some psychological barriers. As Boscagin highlights: “People think that mathematics is difficult, and there is a mental block that prevents many from understating its beauty”, she clarifies. “There is also a misconception that STEM fields are boring and very nerdy, but in the reality to innovate and make a difference, you also need to be creative and curious. If we can change the perception that these subjects are inaccessible, more people might discover their passion for them.”
Imma Ferrini agrees and believes that we need to debunk the myth that they are complicated: “Scientific subjects like engineering give us the opportunity to apply them. The satisfaction over time is immense, seeing things put into practice is truly interesting.”
To any young girl considering a STEM career, the message from the interviewees is clear: opportunities are vast, working communities are crucial, and the potential to innovate is limitless. Whether through tackling climate change, shaping the future of IoT and AI, or solving the puzzles of the grid’s world, STEM offers a rewarding journey filled with challenges and triumphs.
About the interviewees
Fernanda Antunes Paletta
From Brazil, she is an experienced Marketing Product Manager with a background in Control and Automation Engineering and a postgraduate degree in Marketing and Digital Media. She is currently completing a specialization in Clinical Psychology, further expanding her understanding of human behavior and decision-making. At Gridspertise, she works with portfolio management, go-to-market strategies, and business development, specializing in smart metering solutions, market analysis, pricing strategies, and product development. With extensive experience in multinational environments, Fernanda is committed to optimizing solutions and delivering business value. Beyond work, she is passionate about board games, problem-solving, and volunteering, actively engaging in initiatives that create a positive social impact.
Alessandra Boscagin
She was born in Verona and then moved to Milan to graduate in Electronic Engineering at Politecnico di Milano. After spending six years as a Firmware Engineer at Enel, she became Software Design Coordinator and Head of the Firmware Factory in Network Technologies at E-Distribuzione. In 2014, she achieved an Executive Master in Innovation and Technology Management at the Bologna Business School. She joined Gridspertise in the beginning. For less than 2 years, she was responsible for the Field Operations Digitalization Team, responsible for increasing efficiency through innovative solutions for planning operations. Now, she is Head of Excellence Pool, a team formed by over 80 Engineers covering electronic and mechanical design, firmware and virtual Software developments, technical conformity assessment, certification management, and design-to-cost solutions.
Imma Ferrini
She graduated in electrical engineering from Politecnico di Bari and moved to Milan for work. After spending a year at a consulting firm, she worked for two years in Network Technologies at E-Distribuzione in the Firmware Factory team. She then joined Gridspertise practically since its inception. For about a year, she focused on requirements, specifications, and various analyses of meters and concentrators. For almost two years, she has been the Team Leader of the validation group in the Firmware Factory and Virtual App.
Bella Lerch
She is originally from Hungary; she moved to Finland in 2012 after falling in love with the Finnish language and the country’s nature. She previously studied Linguistics and culture management, and now she is getting her master’s degree in IT, specializing in wireless sensor networks. She has been working at Aidon since 2022, she started at the service desk giving technical support to customers, and now she holds the position of Technical Specialist in Aidon One maintenance team at Gridspertise Group’s company.