Dilyana Koleva feels AES Bulgaria as her family
Dilyana Koleva isn't just any assistant operator at the AES’ TPP in Galabovo. She's the only woman in that role, making her a true trailblazer. She became part of the AES team in August 2022, but in fact both her education and her entire professional career are related to the energy sector. She graduated in Heat and Nuclear Power Engineering at the Technical University of Sofia. Immediately after graduation she started working in one of the power plants in the Maritza basin.
As an assistant operator, part of her duties are to make a daily round of the facilities, their safety and routine maintenance. It gives her particular satisfaction to see that all the facilities are working in optimum mode when she has done her job and is sure that her colleagues will be safe. She admits that her personal qualities such as tenacity, precision and responsibility help her a lot in her work.
Dilyana points out that she feels supported by all her colleagues, as well as safe when she is at work as the company culture at AES prioritizes everyone returning home safely to their families. She's especially grateful to her mentors, Veselin Valev and Dimitar Zashev, who guided her through her training at AES Bulgaria.
She says the fact that she is a woman in such a male-dominated professional environment is not a problem. ‘Gender doesn't matter when your profession is interesting and brings you satisfaction. Since my student years I was aware that I would be working in a male environment, but it's not a problem for me, I think it's more of a societal prejudice,’ says Dilyana. She adds that she has a very good relationship with her colleagues, who always give her professional support when needed.
For Dilyana, the best proof of AES's commitment to equality is her own presence in the role. ‘Here at the plant, we hold ourselves to the highest standards, and safety always comes first. It doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman, we all work together as one family,’ she emphasizes.
According to her, after so many years of professional experience and a long family life, Dilyana has mastered the art of work-life balance. Dilyana not only works in a male environment, but her family is made up of only men, as she and her husband have two sons.
Dilyana feels that the most valuable professional advice she has received is ‘Think, don't rush’. It's a wisdom she shares with younger colleagues starting their careers, urging them to persevere through challenges and chase their dreams.
To all the amazing women at AES, on the occasion of International Women's Day, Dilyana sends her heartfelt wishes for good health, joy, success, and the unwavering belief in themselves to make their dreams a reality.
