At a time of unprecedented change in the energy sector, Claude Seywert, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee at Encevo, sat down with Melody Chang from WeSTEM+ to share his insights on strategic leadership, industry trends, diversity, and the development of future STEM talent. This interview explores both the technical and human aspects of leading a complex and evolving industry.

 

From Technical Expertise to Holistic Leadership

Reflecting on his career, Claude Seywert explains:

“I began with fundamental research during university and my PhD. I then entered consulting, gaining exposure to strategy and operational improvement. From there, I moved to the steel sector in headquarters for finance and controlling roles before shifting to plant operations. Serving as Chief Operating Officer of a plant taught me how to lead teams, manage clients, and drive operational excellence. Ultimately, I joined the energy sector with initially full responsibility for the grids and today as Group CEO oversee all aspects of the energy systemcovered by our various subsidiaries”

Claude emphasizes that varied experiences build a broad perspective:

“At every stage, I learned how to align strategic goals with day-to-day operations. This foundation is essential for leading transformation effectively.”

 

CEO Perspective: Strategy and Storytelling

“Being a CEO means  keeping the big picture in mind while helping teams understand why changes matter,” Claude notes.

He highlights the unique nature of energy leadership: decisions are not only technical—they also involve societal expectations, regulatory requirements, and customer needs.

“Strategy is about both planning and communication. Through repeated and clear storytelling, the organization can understand why adjustments are needed, stay agile, and maintain momentum.”

Three Key Energy Trends

Looking ahead 3–5 years, Claude identifies three trends shaping the energy landscape:

1. Decarbonization and electrification – Reducing dependence on fossil fuels and increasing electricity and hydrogen use.
2. Decentralization and complexity – Distributed generation and storage increase system complexity, requiring advanced technologies for management.
3. Resilience and security – From physical infrastructure to economic systems, resilience is essential to mitigate price volatility, outages, and cybersecurity risks.

“Energy systems are not just engineering challenges—they are political and societal challenges as well,” he adds.

Diversity: Strengthening Leadership

Claude underscores the importance of diversity, particularly gender diversity, at leadership levels:

“Organizations should reflect the societies they serve. Diverse teams, especially at the executive level, lead to better decisions. Different perspectives allow us to navigate complex challenges more effectively and make more balanced, informed choices. These various perspectives also help to create a compelling storytelling that resonates with everyone.”

He continues:

“Inclusive leadership is not just about representation. It is about genuinely listening to different voices and ensuring input shapes decisions. Leaders must respond to perspectives rather than simply issuing directives.”

Why gender diversity matters: Claude explains that balanced leadership ensures organizations mirror the population they serve, improves problem-solving, and fosters innovation. Gender-diverse teams bring insights and approaches that enhance decision-making quality across the board.

Developing the Next Generation of STEM Talent

When asked about the future of STEM leadership, Claude offers several guiding principles:

• Stay open and embrace lifelong learning – Skills and knowledge must evolve with technology and societal needs.
• Create space for innovation and purpose – Employees perform best when their work feels meaningful and impactful.
• Connect science and engineering to societal progress – STEM professionals should communicate how their work advances society and supports decision-making based on facts.

“We need scientists and engineers who not only understand complex systems but also effectively communicate scientific evidence to society. This is the core of future STEM leadership,” he emphasizes.

The Message for the WeSTEM+ Community

Claude encourages aspiring leaders in STEM:

“STEM leadership requires a combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to engage with people. Curiosity, flexibility, and open-mindedness are essential. You must embrace emerging technologies like AI while ensuring human judgment and scientific rigor remain central.

As leaders, we need to foster inclusive environments where diverse perspectives are valued, where young talent can experiment, learn, and contribute to societal progress. Leadership is about impact, vision, and empowering others, not just holding a title.”

Conclusion

Claude Seywert’s insights demonstrate that energy leadership is about much more than technical excellence. It encompasses strategic vision, communication, inclusion, and nurturing the next generation of STEM talent.

“In the energy sector, technical solutions alone are not enough. Leadership requires integrating facts, empathy, and vision to guide teams and society through complex, transformative challenges,” he concludes.