Lilian Garc铆a Berg鈥檚 career started in electrical engineering, but her work in the energy sector quickly led her to an unavoidable conclusion: technical expertise alone doesn鈥檛 drive change鈥攑olicy does.
With over a decade of experience in energy transmission, regulatory affairs, and renewable energy, Lilian saw firsthand how government decisions shape investment, sustainability, and accessibility. 鈥淧olicy dictates the pace of energy transition,鈥 she says. 鈥淲ithout it, progress stalls.鈥
Now an MPP student at Max Bell and one of the recipients of the Scholarship for New Voices in Public Policy, she鈥檚 focused on the intersection of energy systems and social equity鈥攖wo areas she believes are inseparable.
Energy policy as a driver of social change
The energy sector isn鈥檛 just about infrastructure and regulation; it鈥檚 also about who benefits from these systems. While working in regulatory affairs, Lilian became increasingly aware of
the structural barriers that reinforce economic and gender disparities.
鈥淕lobally, roughly 20% of the energy workforce is women. And even within renewables, the number only make up to 32%,鈥 she explains. 鈥淭he problem isn鈥檛 just representation鈥攊t鈥檚 influence. Who gets to be in the rooms where the decisions are made?鈥
Her studies at Max Bell have given her a deeper understanding of these disparities, particularly how policy can either reinforce or dismantle systemic inequality.
The decision to pivot from industry to policy
Leaving an established career for an MPP wasn鈥檛 a simple decision. But for Lilian, the shift wasn鈥檛 about abandoning energy鈥攊t was about gaining the tools to change it.
鈥淚 had a stable job and a clear path forward, but I wanted more than just career growth,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 wanted to understand the broader forces shaping the industry鈥攁nd to be part of shifting them.鈥
Her time in the program has challenged her to think beyond technical solutions and consider the social and political dimensions of energy policy. From climate change to economic accessibility, she sees a need for cross-sector collaboration to create policies that serve more than just industry leaders.
Post-graduation, Lilian wants to work at the intersection of energy, climate, and equity. She envisions a role where she can push for policies that support both a sustainable energy transition and a more inclusive workforce.
鈥淚ncreasing the number of women in the industry isn鈥檛 enough if they鈥檙e not in leadership,鈥 she says. 鈥淒iversity has to be part of the decision-making process, not just a statistic.鈥
Advice for the next generation of policymakers
For those looking to make an impact in energy and climate policy, Lilian offers a piece of hard-earned advice: expect resistance.
鈥淎nytime you challenge existing power structures鈥攚hether it鈥檚 in the energy sector, government, or finance鈥攜ou鈥檙e going to get pushback,鈥 she says. 鈥淏ut change doesn鈥檛 happen without persistence.鈥
She encourages aspiring policymakers to think beyond immediate technical solutions and consider the long-term political and economic forces at play. 鈥淓nergy policy isn鈥檛 just about technology鈥攊t鈥檚 about people. If we don鈥檛 center equity in the transition, we鈥檙e not really changing the system.鈥
As the world navigates one of the most significant energy transitions in modern history, Lilian is determined to make sure it鈥檚 not just effective, but equitable.
Balancing family, education, and a new country
For many students, pursuing a Master of Public Policy is a rigorous academic challenge. But for Lilian, the transition to graduate school was about more than just coursework鈥攊t was about uprooting her life, moving to a new country, and balancing her studies with family responsibilities.
Lilian moved to Canada with her family鈥攑artner and 2 years old daughter鈥攏avigating not only a demanding academic program but also the challenges of settling in a new environment. 鈥淗e came here without knowing any language, and he's learning French now,鈥 she says of her partner. 鈥淗e has been an invaluable support throughout this process鈥 Meanwhile, her daughter, Adela, has embraced the change with remarkable resilience. 鈥淪he loves to go to daycare. She enjoys spending time with other toddlers and the educators. Without this support, I wouldn鈥檛 be able to study the MPP program.鈥
Finding support has been essential, and Lilian credits her classmates鈥攅specially one fellow parent鈥攆or helping her manage the dual responsibilities of school and family. 鈥淎drienne, one of my classmates, is also a mom. She鈥檚 a good friend here,鈥 she explains. 鈥淲e talk about how we can deal with the program and our families at the same time. It鈥檚 a challenge, but we support each other.鈥
That sense of solidarity extends beyond just the parents in the program. 鈥淲e are lucky to have a very friendly and generous cohort,鈥 Lilian notes. 鈥淓verybody is very willing to help and support each other, and that has made the process easier.鈥
While the journey has been exhausting at times, Lilian remains focused on the future. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not easy, but we do it because we believe in living in a society rooted in diversity and collective care like Canada鈥檚,鈥 she says. 鈥淔or me that鈥檚 what policy is ultimately about shaping a more just, inclusive and prosperous future.鈥
