Why the Energy Transition is Really a People Challenge

In this episode of Energy in the Room, Katie sits down with Jessica Johnston, Chief People Officer at Aula Energy, to unpack one of the biggest challenges facing the renewables sector: people. With a career spanning financial services, M&A, transformation, and workforce strategy, Jess shares how her unconventional journey into leadership shaped her perspective on scaling businesses, building resilient teams, and creating the human infrastructure behind Australia’s energy transition. Together, they explore why technical brilliance alone isn’t enough to grow successful organisations, how leaders can avoid costly hiring mistakes, and why culture, adaptability, and values alignment matter more than ever in high-growth environments. Jess also shares practical insights into: - Interview techniques and hiring strategies for scaling teams - Why most “mishires” are actually design failures - The role of diversity in driving innovation and better business outcomes - Supporting women in leadership and navigating imposter syndrome - Building inclusive workplaces in the renewables industry - Tackling the talent shortage through transferable skills and workforce design This is an honest and practical conversation about leadership, workforce strategy, and the people challenges shaping the future of energy in Australia. This podcast is brought to you by Vinova.