Green hydrogen is a rapidly growing sector with immense opportunities emerging for innovation, leadership and sustainable development. In the science, technology and industry sectors, however, representation of women working in these fields remains limited.

The new ‘Voice of Hydrogen’ initiative from the International Hydrogen Ramp-up Programme (H2Uppp) invites you to explore the diverse roles and perspectives of women in the green hydrogen sector and industry, through 13 compelling stories shared by female hydrogen experts and professionals from Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

To kickstart our ‘Voice of Hydrogen’ article series, we would like to introduce you to Amanda How, Delegation Manager of the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MGCC). Amanda is an energetic, adventurous and agile woman who has been working in the Chamber for approximately a year and a half now. With a dynamic career journey encompassing global banking, retail start-ups, blue-collar experiences, and currently in the world of Chambers networking, she brings a versatile skillset and a passion for continuous growth and innovation. Her expertise extends to project management, intercultural management, and business matching. Through her active engagement and continuous coordination support for the H2Uppp programme, Amanda represents many women in the frontline of the energy and industry sector, contributing to hydrogen market growth, initiatives and multisectoral collaboration.

1. Amanda’s professional journey and her current role at MGCC Malaysia

After Amanda graduated with a Bachelor of Business in a double degree of Banking & Finance, and Financial Risk Management, she started her career in the global banking section of an international bank. Through two years of experience working alongside the client management team, she learnt the ways of dealing with senior or executive level decision makers of multinational companies, and government linked corporations as well as large corporations.

“As a fresh graduate, it was a real eye-opener, and it planted a small seed of interest in dealing with stakeholders from other countries and cultures.”

Amanda How (first on the left) together with delegates from German companies, representatives from BMWE, and GIZ Thailand in a business delegation on the topic of ‘Green Hydrogen Production in Malaysia with Technologies & Solutions from Germany’

Amanda took a deliberate gap year, immersing herself in a variety of blue-collar jobs in New Zealand, learning to be resilient and be prepared for uncertainties while living and travelling alone. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she returned to Malaysia and joined a start-up company, introducing new retail products to the Malaysian market. According to Amanda, her immersive and winding career path reinforced the ideas of effective communication, shared responsibilities, and intercultural understanding as key in building relationships and bridging cultural gaps.

Having been in the role of Delegation Manager at MGCC Malaysia for more than a year and a half now, Amanda has managed several delegations with a focus on hydrogen, both from Germany to Malaysia (under the Energy Export Initiative ‘Energy Solutions – Made in Germany’) and from Malaysia to Thailand under the H2Uppp programme implemented by GIZ. Her continuous support in connecting regional experts, industry leaders and stakeholders has contributed greatly to building networks of hydrogen experts and key players, advancing industry dialogues and the overall growth of the hydrogen market in Southeast Asia.

“As a project manager, I not only have to be a good coordinator of the programme, but I am also required to understand the industrial sector and market that I am dealing with. My biggest takeaway would be that it is always interesting to identify and resolve the differences between nations and cultures, and to be understanding and respectful while dealing with people from different backgrounds.”

2. Navigating through challenges as a woman in the international business and cooperation industry

Improvement necessitates challenges. Amanda shares her belief that challenges are normal and somewhat important in any working environment, and what matters is the way we face them, navigate them, and grow from them, personally and together as a community of an industry.

“As a fresh face to industry, there were times when I doubted myself, especially when working with high level stakeholders. In these circumstances, I learnt that it is crucial for us to leverage small wins, while practicing self-kindness. By acknowledging the small victories that I collected through the journey, I slowly built my confidence when speaking to high level decision makers in the industry.”

For Amanda, the most challenging part in her role as a delegation manager lies in gaining a deep technical understanding of the industry’s needs and wants. Amanda emphasises self-immersion and learning about the sector’s complex knowledge, culture and environment by participating in conversations on energy topics, attending exhibitions and participating in conferences or training. Staying curious and adaptable has helped Amanda to thrive in managing projects and stakeholder engagement in the energy and industry setting.

“The energy industry thrives on innovation – and project management is no different. By staying curious, backing ideas with research, and building relationships patiently, I’ve turned those early hurdles into valuable experience and knowledge, proving that a fresh pair of eyes is an asset, not a liability.”

Amanda How (third from the right) with her MGCC colleagues

In her role as project manager, another key challenge faced by international business and relationship building roles lies in managing gaps and fostering collaboration for stakeholders from different backgrounds, in particular from Malaysia and Germany. Amanda shared some examples of the key cultural differences in her daily work, from communication values and different senses of time to decision making. Her anecdotes highlight the challenges in fostering cooperation and relationships through circumventing these prevalent cultural gaps.

“One thing I found personally to be very different is the impact of hierarchy on decision-making. In Malaysian culture, it is common for individuals in higher positions to lead business conversations. Decisions, instructions, and information typically flow top-down from senior leaders. By contrast, German culture values open communication, where ideas are welcomed from all directions, and decisions are often made collaboratively.”

To bridge these cultural gaps effectively, one approach that has proven useful for Amanda is conducting intercultural briefs before organising a business trip or activities that involve participants from various backgrounds.

3. Final Reflection: Amanda’s advice to young professionals – especially women – who want to pursue a career in international energy business and relationships

As a young woman professional working in international energy business and relationships, especially in the energy sector and the hydrogen industry, Amanda’s career has been developing in a work environment surrounded by industry veterans. Therefore, it is essential to stay up-to-date, seek knowledge and listen to the opinions of those with high levels of experience. Amanda recommended immersing oneself in current trends and practicing cultural sensitivity as key strategies for keeping pace with the sector.

“To build credibility in the industry, I immersed myself in continuously gaining technical knowledge, staying updated on market trends in energy and the global market situation; subscribing to pages on such topics on social media as well as the news helps tremendously. Other than that, I am always on the lookout for potential events, and participate in talks about renewable energy. Strategic networking is also an excellent way to seek mentors. Cultural agility is an important trait in our line of business. It is extremely important to understand the local norms of counterparts, and this has always helped me build a rapport and reduce misunderstanding.”

Amanda believes there are ongoing improvements in terms of diversity and women’s representation in the energy and industry sectors. Leveraging diversity as strength and seeking mentorship from veterans or valuable networks in the industry can go a long way in supporting young women in energy to build confidence and resilience in their career growth. At the same time, such approaches can help reinforce the voices of women in the energy and hydrogen sectors, opening doors for inclusive, equitable exchanges and opportunities.

“The energy sector’s inclusivity creates opportunities for young professionals to lead. Our voices as women in the hydrogen sector are vital in shaping equitable solutions – persist, connect, and let your work speak louder than words!”

Amanda How as moderator at the conference ‘Water Supply & Wastewater Management: Solutions from Germany’ on 10 September 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Amanda How’s career journey – from blue-collar work in New Zealand to global banking and now leading hydrogen initiatives at MGCC Malaysia – offers a powerful reminder of the value of resilience, adaptability, and cross-cultural empathy. Amanda’s reflections underscore the importance of inclusive mentorship, continuous learning, and taking the initiative – especially for the next generation of women in energy. In a rapidly evolving industry like green hydrogen, her voice reminds us that leadership isn’t just about expertise, but also about courage, collaboration, and a willingness to build bridges across borders and sectors.