True leadership is not defined by titles or positions—it’s measured by the courage to challenge the status quo, the clarity to drive meaningful change, and the resilience to uplift others along the way. Today, most women are not just sitting at the table; they are rebuilding the table itself—one that values equity, inclusivity, and vision. These trailblazers are rewriting narratives, defying outdated norms, and lighting the way for generations to come.
Among these powerful voices is Fernanda Delgado, CEO at ABIHV—a force in the energy sector and a fierce advocate for sustainable and inclusive leadership. With a rich academic background, decades of industry expertise, and a personal mission to amplify women’s presence in leadership, Fernanda exemplifies what it means to lead with both strength and purpose. Her work is not only shaping a more responsible energy future but also inspiring a broader cultural shift, making her one of the most compelling women leaders to watch in 2025.
From Oil & Gas to Green Hydrogen
Fernanda’s journey to becoming the CEO of the Brazilian Hydrogen Industry Association (ABIHV) is rooted in over two decades of experience in the energy sector. She began her career in the oil and gas industry, where she spent 25 years developing expertise in research, mergers and acquisitions, project planning, and financing.
Academically, she holds two master’s degrees and a PhD in engineering, which laid a strong foundation for her technical and strategic contributions to the sector. Her leadership path took shape when she assumed the role of General Director at the Brazilian Petroleum Institute (IBP), overseeing a large organization with 140 employees and an annual budget of 40 million reais. There, she was responsible for major industry events and initiatives supporting the national oil and gas ecosystem.
Transitioning to green energy, Fernanda Delgado took on the challenge of building Brazil’s green hydrogen industry from the ground up. As CEO of ABIHV, she leads a small but focused team, working to attract investments, shape public policy, and foster collaboration between government, industry, and society. A single mother of a now 20-year-old daughter, Fernanda’s career reflects resilience, leadership, and a strong commitment to Brazil’s sustainable energy future.
Driving a Greener Future
Under Fernanda’s leadership, the Brazilian Hydrogen Industry Association (ABIHV) has taken on a clear and ambitious mission: to develop a robust green hydrogen industry in Brazil that aligns with the best interests of society, industry, and government.
The association focuses on building the necessary conditions for green hydrogen to be produced, marketed, commercialized, and adopted competitively across sectors. With over 30 member companies, ABIHV actively promotes dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange to strengthen the foundation of this emerging industry.
ABIHV plays a crucial role in shaping public policies, advocating for a cleaner energy matrix, and encouraging sustainability practices within industrial processes. The organization is also deeply committed to social impact, prioritizing inclusion, job creation, technological advancement, and environmental responsibility. For Fernanda, this broader contribution to society is the most meaningful aspect of her work, ensuring green hydrogen serves not only as a tool for decarbonization but as a catalyst for Brazil’s sustainable and inclusive growth.
Innovation at the Core
For Fernanda Delgado, innovation isn’t just a part of the work at ABIHV—it defines it. As green hydrogen is still in its early stages in Brazil and yet to scale commercially, every aspect of the industry calls for a fresh approach.
ABIHV stands apart because it champions innovation not only in engineering and production technologies but also in regulation, public policy, and business models. From navigating subsidies to shaping how Brazil supports energy-intensive sectors, the organization is helping rewrite the rules of engagement for a cleaner future.
Under Fernanda’s leadership, ABIHV is actively transforming how Brazil approaches low-carbon solutions—pushing boundaries in infrastructure, governance, and collaboration. The goal is clear: to drive a future where green hydrogen plays a central role in sustainable industrial transformation.
Empowering Change
Among Fernanda’s proudest accomplishments are initiatives that blend personal passion with industry impact. One standout effort is the co-creation of a national project aimed at increasing female representation in the energy sector. Alongside other women leaders – Renata Isfer and Agnes da Costa, she launched Yes, They Exist—a public, biannual publication that profiles skilled women ready to take on leadership roles in energy.
The initiative not only promotes visibility for women professionals but also serves as a tool for advocacy, distributed to government bodies, including the Brazilian Presidency and military. It’s a bold statement of inclusion, designed to challenge industry norms and inspire systemic change.
For Fernanda, this project represents more than a milestone—it’s a mission to open doors for future generations of women in energy leadership.
Building Impact
Fernanda Delgado has led and contributed to several transformative initiatives that reflect her dedication to both professional excellence and social equity. One of her most notable contributions is the expansion of the Yes, They Exist project. This published registry includes over 400 Brazilian women with at least 10 years of experience, a PhD, or demonstrated leadership skills in the energy sector. Every name is carefully vetted, and the list is shared widely across institutions—including the Brazilian Presidency—to encourage greater gender representation in leadership roles.
In parallel, Fernanda launched EmpoderC (Empower Yourself), a free mentoring program aimed at supporting women across all segments of Brazil’s energy industry. The program pairs seasoned professionals—directors, CEOs, and presidents—with younger women at the start of their careers. Over the course of a year, these mentorships offer structured guidance, regular interactions, and shared learning to help women advance into more impactful roles.
Professionally, under Fernanda’s leadership, ABIHV achieved a significant milestone by helping establish two major legal frameworks for Brazil’s green hydrogen sector. In collaboration with government stakeholders from both executive and legislative branches, these laws laid the foundation for regulation, certification, and fiscal incentives—critical steps in enabling the green hydrogen industry to take root and grow in Brazil.
Paving the Way
Among Fernanda’s key professional achievements at ABIHV is the successful design of a government-backed incentive program aimed at catalyzing the green hydrogen industry in Brazil. This initiative secured a commitment of 18 billion Brazilian reais (approximately 3 billion USD) in funding for the period between 2028 and 2032. The program is specifically tailored for companies producing commercialized green hydrogen and its derivatives, such as ammonia, methanol, fertilizers, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Fernanda Delgado emphasized that while grey hydrogen, produced from fossil fuels, remains more economically viable today, the government’s financial support is essential to bridging the cost gap and accelerating the shift toward renewable-based green hydrogen. These public incentives are not just about launching a new sector; they represent a crucial move toward decarbonizing Brazil’s industrial base and preparing the country to compete in the international market as a green energy provider.
These efforts mark a defining moment—not only in establishing Brazil’s green hydrogen landscape but also in introducing a new, sustainable model for electro-intensive industries. For Fernanda, these achievements are not just policy wins but signify a transformative shift in Brazil’s energy future.
Purpose-Driven Leadership
Fernanda Delgado traces her passion for leadership back to her academic roots in international relations, where she first encountered the concept of power—not in terms of authority, but as the ability to influence events and impact lives. For her, true power lies in creating meaningful change—whether that’s advancing low-carbon production processes or helping a woman gain the confidence to step into a leadership role.
She finds deep fulfillment in knowing her efforts can shift the course of someone’s life, whether it’s through shaping more sustainable industries, mentoring individuals, or contributing to inclusive policies. What drives her every day is not the pursuit of power itself, but the positive outcomes it can generate for society, her students, her peers, and the industry at large. This purpose, built over two decades of dedication, fuels her commitment to writing, participating in global conversations, and driving change through her leadership.
Breaking Barriers, Redefining Leadership
Fernanda Delgado sheds light on the persistent challenges women leaders face, especially in regions like Latin America. While earlier years saw progress in gender diversification and ESG initiatives, she observes a recent regression—political shifts and societal setbacks have made the path forward even more complex for women in leadership.
Women, she points out, are often expected to flawlessly balance multiple roles—mother, daughter, professional—while maintaining composure, intelligence, and cheerfulness. Yet, the judgment remains unequal. A man on stage is applauded for his brilliance, while a woman is often scrutinized or dismissed as simply “showing off.” These ingrained biases continue to affect how female leadership is perceived.
Fernanda stands firmly against these double standards. Her leadership is built on substance: two master’s degrees, a PhD, and a career spanning over 20 years. She believes recognition should be rooted in performance and impact, not personal associations or gendered assumptions. Her mission is to challenge these outdated narratives and create space for more women to lead confidently and unapologetically.
In a moving exchange during the interview, she was touched by the affirmation that “language is not a barrier”—a reminder that authenticity and purpose can transcend any limitations. For Fernanda, her journey is proof that even with limited resources, one can rise, inspire, and make a meaningful difference, just by staying true to who they are.
A Letter to the Future
In her open letter to aspiring professionals, Fernanda Delgado offered a deeply personal and powerful message: never give up. She acknowledged that challenges will always be present, often growing tougher with time, but emphasized that the key to enduring them lies in putting your heart into everything you do.
Especially for women, she noted, the world often feels stacked against them, with responsibilities like caregiving, societal expectations, and even health battles. Yet, despite it all, women continue to rise. Fernanda urged emerging leaders to reflect on how far they’ve come whenever they face setbacks, rather than being discouraged by momentary failures.
Her advice was clear: don’t hide. Visibility and persistence are essential. The path may not always be favorable, but through resilience, honesty, and unwavering effort, it is possible to carve a place of purpose and impact in the world.
5 Powerful Business Lessons from Fernanda Delgado
- Purpose Powers Results: Leadership rooted in purpose drives trust, inspires others, and leads to meaningful, lasting success.
- Innovation Is a Mindset: True innovation goes beyond technology—it’s about rethinking systems, policies, and ways of working.
- Collaborate to Amplify Impact: Sustainable success comes from partnerships and shared goals, not isolated efforts.
- Inclusion Fuels Better Outcomes: Diverse perspectives strengthen decisions, foster resilience, and drive strategic advantage.
- Resilience Moves You Forward: Setbacks are part of the journey—resilience, visibility, and persistence are key to lasting growth.
