March 8 is a key date to acknowledge the vital role of women in all areas of society. At Aganova, we are proud to have a diverse team of talented women excelling in engineering, mathematics, human resources, marketing, accounting, business development, and many other fields. Their dedication, expertise, and innovation are essential to our company’s growth and the advancement of the technology sector.
This year, we had the privilege of speaking with some of the incredible women at Aganova: Ana Belén Raya (Head of Human Resources), Luisa Gallardo (Global Operation Manager), Ana Cuevas (Accounting Technician), Anabel Cantero (Accounting Administrator), Ana Victoria Pérez (Data Specialist), María Velasco (Accounting Administrator), Victoria Noguera (Junior Key Account), Naomi Castillo (Manufacturing, Purchasing & Logistics), Lourdes Ramírez (Manufacturing, Purchasing & Logistics), Alia López (Middle East Regional Manager), and Tatiana Rojas (Proposals Engineer). Through their experiences, we reflect on the impact of women in the workforce and the challenges that still need to be overcome.
On this special day, we want to give voice to the women of Aganova and learn more about their experiences, challenges, and aspirations. By sharing their insights, we hope to inspire future generations and continue fostering an inclusive and enriching workplace.
What inspired you to pursue your career?
For Luisa, the main motivation was “the desire to transform reality through an analytical and critical approach, as well as the ambition to be part of major international projects.” Similarly, Ana Victoria Pérez always knew she would dedicate herself to science: “Growing up with a mathematician father and a chemist aunt meant that this world was always present in my life.”
Anabel found inspiration in her uncle, who studied Business Administration and encouraged her to follow in his footsteps. Lourdes discovered her passion for the water sector from a young age, as it was a frequent topic at home, which led her to develop a genuine interest in her work. “Joining this project from the very beginning and watching it grow has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life—an endless source of inspiration and pride.”
Alia, from an early age, was fascinated by technology and the impact of water on society. This led her to specialize in civil engineering with a focus on water management, knowing that it would be a challenging path due to the low presence of women in the sector: “I knew it wouldn’t be an easy path, especially in an industry where women are still a minority, but that only motivated me further.”
Tatiana shares a similar story: “Since I was a child, I was fascinated by architecture and construction. I was always drawn to technical careers and the idea of contributing to the design of cities that address people’s needs. I chose civil engineering because it is not limited to a single area. As a civil engineer, I have the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, from urban infrastructure to more specialized solutions, allowing me to explore different fields and tackle various challenges throughout my career.”
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
Ana Isabel Cuevas acknowledges that “despite progress, the glass ceiling still exists.” She also highlights how “motherhood can slow down many women’s careers, as the fast-paced nature of today’s world can leave them behind compared to other professionals.”
Similarly, María Velasco notes that “one of the biggest challenges has been the lack of female role models in economics and business, making it harder to envision oneself in leadership positions. This lack of representation can create doubts about how far we can go. However, we are slowly gaining more visibility, although there is still work to do.”
Naomi recalls that during her studies, women were the minority, which added extra pressure to prove themselves. She adds, “At Aganova, I can say that my colleagues make everyday work quite easy.”
Alia mentions the difficulty of finding female colleagues in a predominantly male environment, although she has been fortunate to have inspiring women in her career.
What advice would you give to young women starting their careers in your field?
Naomi is clear: “If they truly love their field, they should go for it and ignore comments like ‘this isn’t a job for women.’”
Lourdes reinforces this idea: “Your worth is not defined by being a man or a woman but by your effort, knowledge, and passion for what you do. My only advice is simple: pursue what you want to be without letting anything stop you.”
Ana Isabel Cuevas encourages young women to “dream big and set no limits,” emphasizing that continuous learning and determination are key to success.
Ana Victoria highlights the importance of patience and perseverance during training, especially in STEM careers, where the journey can be challenging but rewarding.
Tatiana adds: “Many young women may feel discouraged by the stereotype that technical careers are for men or that women have fewer opportunities for growth in this field. My advice is that if they are truly passionate about it, they should get involved without fear of failure. Success does not depend on gender but on effort, dedication, and clear goals. With determination and hard work, they can go as far as they want.”
How can companies continue to promote gender equality in the workplace?
For Ana Belén, “it’s attitude and professional competence that drive a company to success, not gender.”
Anabel points out that “work-life balance remains a critical issue. Some companies still avoid hiring women between 25 and 35 due to concerns about maternity leave.”
Ana Victoria stresses the need for fair hiring processes where training and experience are the only decisive factors.
Lourdes offers a positive perspective, noting that while women often face additional challenges, such as balancing motherhood and career, the right support system can enable them to grow professionally without compromising their commitment. She emphasizes: “Gender equality is achieved by valuing talent, effort, and commitment, without gender being a limiting factor. To advance equality, companies should focus on promoting merit-based cultures, ensuring fair hiring and promotion processes, offering work-life balance policies, and encouraging women to take on technical and leadership roles.”
Victoria Noguera sums it up: “I believe that naturally involving women and promoting equality is key. I want to be recognized for my achievements, not just for being a woman. And I want to be treated with normality.”
Finally, Alia believes that “companies should implement policies that go beyond simply hiring more women. It’s essential to create an inclusive environment where women have equal opportunities for career growth, leadership roles, and technical training. Mentorship programs, gender bias awareness, and flexible work policies can also make a difference. Additionally, companies and most important, male colleagues should recognize and promote female role models in the industry, as representation is key to inspiring the next generation of women engineers.”
What is your greatest achievement or project at Aganova that you are most proud of?
Luisa highlights that “the greatest satisfaction comes almost daily from seeing the volume of water saved and the impact on the efficiency of our clients’ assets.”
Ana Victoria Pérez is particularly proud of “having worked on the development of an intelligent leak detection and classification algorithm in collaboration with the University of Seville.”
Lourdes values the opportunity to work in multiple areas within the company, which has given her a broad perspective and deep knowledge of Aganova’s processes.
Anabel celebrates the growing presence of women in engineering, recognizing the essential role they play in the company’s growth and success.
Alia considers her greatest achievement at Aganova to be the establishment of Aganova Middle East in the United Arab Emirates. This project allowed her to contribute to water management in the region while navigating a highly competitive and dynamic market: “Seeing the impact of our work and the growth opportunities it has created makes this achievement incredibly fulfilling.”
Finally, Victoria Noguera, who recently joined Aganova, shared: “On my third day, I was given full independence to present the company at a trade fair. I felt that they trusted me.”
We want to take this opportunity to thank and recognize the impact of each of these incredible women at Aganova and in the industry.
Happy International Women’s Day!
