For Ainoha Barrenada, whether she’s helping customers in the wind energy sector or running mountain trails, she believes meaningful change is built one step at a time. After nearly two decades at Quest Global, Ainoha shares how engineering and a deep appreciation for nature have shaped her perspective on work and life.
What drew you to the wind energy sector?
After many years in automotive engineering, I was looking for a new challenge and found it in renewable energy. The industry aligned closely with my personal values, and I was excited by the opportunity to contribute to the energy transition.
What makes the work especially rewarding is seeing how engineering can create real-world impact. Every project involves solving complex challenges and collaborating with talented people to help advance a more sustainable future.
Outside of work, you’re passionate about trail running. How has that influenced your mindset?
The mountains teach you patience. When you’re running a trail, you can’t focus on the entire mountain at once. You focus on the next step. Then the next one. Eventually, you reach places that seemed very far away when you started.
I’ve found that work is often the same. When challenges feel overwhelming, it helps to focus on what you can do right now and keep moving forward.
Does spending time in nature change how you think about sustainability?
Absolutely. When you’re in nature, you quickly realise you’re just a visitor. These places existed long before us and will continue long after we’re gone.
That’s why I’ve become more conscious of everyday choices, whether it’s reusing things, avoiding unnecessary waste, or simply consuming more thoughtfully. They may seem like small actions, but sustainability is often built through small decisions repeated consistently over time.
Finally, what does “leaving a positive impact” mean to you?
For me, it’s about the footprints we leave behind. A sustainable future won’t be built through one action alone.
The impact we create comes from the choices we make every day, how we support others, how we solve problems, and how we care for the world around us. Individually, those footprints may seem small. Together, they can make a meaningful difference
