At Think Renewable, we’re proud to celebrate an incredible achievement: our General Manager, Danielle Orlando, has been named the winner of the NECA Women in Energy Award. This prestigious recognition is not just a personal milestone for Danielle, but also a moment that shines a light on the impact women are making in solar and clean energy across Australia.
About the NECA Women in Energy Award
The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) Awards are among the most respected honours in Australia’s energy and electrical industries. They showcase leaders who are shaping the future of the sector, driving innovation and raising the standards of excellence.
The Women in Energy Award, in particular, highlights women who are breaking barriers in an industry still heavily dominated by men. By recognising female leadership and achievement, NECA is helping to create role models for the next generation of women considering careers in renewable energy.
Danielle’s journey at Think Renewable
Danielle’s story is one of vision, resilience, and people-first leadership. As the very first employee of Think Renewable, she laid the foundations for the business at its earliest stage — often juggling sales, compliance, customer service and HR all at once. All this while caring for her newborn and navigating relocations across the country during the pandemic.
Fast-forward to today, and Danielle leads a company of more than 130 staff nationwide. She oversees national operations, installation teams, people and culture and strategic business development, all with a clear mission: to save Australians $1 billion in energy costs by 2034.
Under her leadership, Think Renewable has grown into one of Australia’s fastest-growing clean energy companies, recently earning recognition in the AFR Fast Starters list and winning at the Local Business Awards.
Leading with impact
What makes Danielle’s leadership stand out is the way she balances commercial growth with genuine inclusivity. She has implemented gender-inclusive policies, career pathways, and mentoring programs that have lifted women into leadership roles across the business. Today, women make up 44% of Think Renewable’s management team, which is a rare achievement in this sector.
As Danielle explains:
“When I first entered this industry, I noticed the absence of female leaders at almost every level. That experience motivated me to create the kind of workplace I wished I had seen earlier, one where women are supported, mentored and given the opportunity to thrive.”
Her commitment doesn’t stop at policy. Danielle invests time in mentoring women directly, creating inclusive environments on job sites and showing by example that family life and leadership can coexist without compromise.
The recognition and why it matters
This award represents more than just personal recognition. It reflects the culture Danielle has worked so hard to build at Think Renewable, one of innovation, sustainability and inclusion.
CEO Daniel Tonkin summed it up best:
“Danielle has played an instrumental role in our success. Women comprise less than 24% of the energy industry; at Think Renewable, 44% of management and 66% of operations are women. Her mentorship has helped others thrive in their roles, and many have received promotions thanks to her leadership. This award is a testament to her impact not just on Think Renewable, but on the wider industry – we’re extremely proud of her achievements.”
By celebrating Danielle’s achievement, we’re also celebrating progress across the renewable energy sector. Representation matters, and seeing women like Danielle recognised at the highest level helps pave the way for more women to join, lead and shape the clean energy future.
Big future ahead for women in Think Renewable
Danielle’s award win is an incredible milestone, but for her, it’s just the beginning. She continues to drive Think Renewable forward with a strong vision: making solar and batteries more accessible, helping households and businesses cut costs and building a cleaner, more inclusive energy future.
To Danielle, leadership is about impact:
“I believe equity and excellence go hand in hand. When we empower more people, especially women, to contribute to this industry, we don’t just create fairer workplaces, we build stronger, smarter, more sustainable businesses.”
Join the movement
At Think Renewable, we’re committed to innovation, sustainability and inclusion, the same values Danielle has championed throughout her career. Her NECA award win is a reminder of what’s possible when passion, purpose and people come together.
If you’d like to learn more about our work or explore how solar and batteries can power your home or business, book a free consultation with our team today. Together, we can create a cleaner, fairer energy future.
