Celebrating the women shaping the future energy system this International Women’s Day

I’m Natasa Dinic, and I lead one of the five shift teams in the Control Room responsible for keeping Great Britain’s electricity system running, in real time.

I’ve spent more than 20 years in and around control room operations, starting at National Grid, then National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) and now National Energy System Operator (NESO).

In the early days of my career, there were very few women working in the control room. Today, it feels quite different—our control room is inclusive, collaborative, and a place where people are encouraged to contribute and grow.

Over the years, I’ve built a deep understanding of the energy system and gradually taken on more leadership responsibility. That journey has allowed me to support others as they develop their skills and find their own confidence. And that’s a part of my job I truly love.

Finding my voice as a woman in STEM

Inclusion and opportunity mean something deeply personal to me.

I grew up in Serbia and moved to the UK around 25 years ago. English is my second language, and I didn’t start learning it until I was 11. So, building a career in such a technical, fast‑paced environment has sometimes been challenging. But it’s also shaped who I am today, and it’s something I’m very proud of.

My experience has taught me this—organisations thrive when they value different backgrounds, perspectives, and when they remove barriers that hold people back.

Why mentoring matters, more than ever

People are at the heart of everything I do. I’ve mentored many colleagues during my time at NESO, and I truly believe that when you give, you gain.

Whether someone needs guidance, reassurance, or simply someone to bounce ideas off, I always try to make space for that conversation. Watching colleagues and mentees grow—not just in skills, but in confidence—is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme feels especially meaningful. I truly believe that when we invest in others, we strengthen teams, build trust, and create an industry where progress is made.

Generosity and collaboration aren’t just nice-to-have; they’re powerful forces that help lift us all.

The roles that help shape a fairer, stronger, energy system

Alongside leading my shift team, I also hold several roles in System Operations that help build a safe, fair, and resilient organisation.

As a Compliance Lead and Sponsor, I help uphold strong engineering, ethics, health and safety, and training standards—the foundations of a positive working environment.

I’m also a Business Continuity Champion and Data Sponsor for System Operations. These roles mean working closely across teams to ensure we’re resilient, consistent, and governed well, because good governance underpins trust.

Looking ahead: A future where everyone thrives

I am proud to be supporting International Women’s Day—not just in words, but through everyday action.

I’ll continue championing fairness, trust, and high standards across our operations. I’ll keep offering my time, experience, and encouragement to those looking to grow because when we support each other, we all gain.

To every woman building a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), keep backing yourself, keep speaking up, and keep moving forward—your voice and perspective matter. And if you’re further along your journey, reach back and support someone else. When we support each other, we all benefit.

Happy International Women’s Day 2026 and here’s to a future shaped by rights, justice, action and generous collaboration.