Reem Hamdan, Director General, Electricity Distribution Company (EDCO)
Reem Hamdan, Director General, Electricity Distribution Company (EDCO)
In January 2022, Reem Hamdan made history by becoming the first female Director General of a power utility company in Jordan’s history. Her incredible career is not only a testament to her resilience and hard work but also an inspiration to young women globally who aspire to join traditionally male-dominated fields. In a recent interview with WiRE, Reem shared her incredible story, highlighting the steps she took to achieve her success, her vision for the future of the energy sector within Jordan, and her unwavering efforts to improve diversity within her organization.
On Reem’s Career Journey
Reem began her career thirty years ago, graduating with an engineering degree from the University of Jordan. Upon graduation, she applied to the Jordan Electrical Distribution Company, qualifying for the position by outperforming her peers on stringent entry exams. Stepping into the role, Reem became the only female engineer in her department. Cognisant of this fact, she felt the need to continuously prove herself, working twice as hard as her peers to be noticed.
Despite the countless challenges Reem faced, her tenacity and passion for the role were eventually rewarded. Supportive colleagues and management at the time provided Reem with opportunities to continue to prove herself, to apply for and accept promotions, and to advance her impressive career in the power utility field. Working diligently in each role, she moved from trainee to an electrical engineer, to head of a section, eventually becoming the Director General Deputy before assuming the role of Director General.
On Reem’s Efforts to Foster Inclusion
In a field traditionally dominated by men, Reem has been heavily involved in the advocacy for inclusion and diversity. Aside from fostering a welcoming environment for female employees, Reem ensures that her organization spreads positive messages to encourage women to consider the field of engineering in surrounding communities. The Electricity Distribution Company actively seeks to hire female engineering talent from local universities and ensures that there is always more than one woman hired in each district. This practice, Reem says, fosters the development of female support systems within the organization.
When asked to provide advice to young women aspiring to join traditionally male-dominated fields, she stressed the importance of having a passion for one’s work. Without loving the role that one is doing, it will be difficult to overcome challenges, continue working harder in the face of adversity, and ultimately achieve success. She advised young women to seek mentors and guidance from fellow women in their desired fields. Having a role model in your desired field, Reem says, can help provide support and encouragement as you navigate your career journey.
On the Future of Energy in Jordan
Throughout her impressive tenure, Reem has witnessed the energy sector in Jordan continue to evolve. In the past 10 years, Jordan has emerged as a leader in renewable energy, continuously adopting newer, innovative energy sources. Jordan has also created the Rural Electrification Fund, an achievement that has significantly increased access to electricity in remote communities in Jordan. The country also has the lowest percentage of electrical power outages in the region, a feat that Reem is proud to be an integral part of.
On Lessons Learned Along the Way
Looking back on her journey, Reem reflects on the perseverance and dedication that led her to the place she is today. When asked about her most memorable achievement, Reem confidently replied, “Surviving”. In a field where the odds were stacked against her, Reem’s drive to succeed and her passion for the energy field gave her the strength to continue pushing forward, and to not just survive, but succeed.
Reem Hamdan’s growth from an engineering trainee to the first female to assume the role of Director General in Jordan serves as an inspiration to young women globally. Her tenacity and grit, and ultimately, her success, have allowed her to continue to pay it forward. By continuing to support and encourage young women to join the field of engineering and her organization, Reem ensures that the path she paved will help countless others and reinforces the idea that gender should play no role in the determination of one’s success.
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