by Ellie S. (11th Grade)
Zhenfeng Zhang, Chairwoman of Nanjing Yistuo Power Technology Co. Yistuo is a leader in big data-driven power quality monitoring and energy efficiency. Beyond her corporate success, she serves as the President of the Yuhuatai District Female Entrepreneurs Association and the Chairperson of the Female Scientific and Technological Workers Alliance, where she champions the advancement of women in STEM and business.
We had the privilege of sitting down with her during GGDS 2025, where she offered a deep dive into her journey and vision.
Zhenfeng: The reason that I’m interested in this area is: As a mother and tech professional, I want to use innovation to protect the next generation’s quality of life. Green tech should be an inclusive force that benefits everyone—just like our company’s mission: to leave lush mountains and clear waters for our children.
Q. Could you share a pivotal moment or experience that ignited your passion for both leadership and sustainability?
Zhenfeng: My big moment with leadership and sustainability came from solving a big voltage problem caused by too many home solar panels. In one province, lots of families started using solar panels quickly. This caused the local power grid’s voltage to go haywire—too high or too low—and threatened the whole system. My team knew right away: This was our chance to use our 20 years of grid monitoring skills to make a difference.
We did three simple but important things:
First, we took millions of pieces of voltage data and built a tool to spot voltage issues. This tool found a strange pattern: when solar panels send extra power back to the grid and people use less electricity (like at night), the voltage spikes in two “peaks.” We finally understood why the grid struggled with so much solar.
Second, we made a four-step voltage control system (from power stations down to individual homes). We added smart “controllers” to every solar panel. These controllers let us adjust how much power each panel sends in real time, fixing voltage swings in seconds.
Third, our team camped out at local power stations full-time, with experts backing them up from the office. We didn’t just fix problems—we worked with the grid to keep it stable.
This project taught me this: Great leadership for sustainability is about turning big headaches into real help for people. we didn’t just get patents or new rules. We turned every family with solar panels from “grid troublemakers” into “partners” who made the whole system stronger.
Q. Could you give advice to young women aspiring to take on leadership roles in the field of sustainable development, especially given the rapid changes in this sector?
Zhenfeng: I believe leadership in this sector boils down to two essential mindsets:
Stay Curious, Embrace Change
As an entrepreneur, one must always maintain curiosity and resilience. In the pursuit of sustainable development, it is crucial to fully recognize that technologies, policies, and market demands are evolving with each passing day: “Change is opportunity”.
Learn constantly: Attend summits like this, collaborate across fields ,and keep an eye on cutting-edge trends in new energy.
Iterate quickly: My company has established joint R&D centers with universities, maintain cooperation with research institutions and enterprises to respond to changes through innovation.
Build a Support Network to Achieve “Symbiosis” Between Career and Life
When someone asks me how I balance career and family, my answer is: “Better life,better career.”
Only by arranging life well and maintaining family harmony can we generate tremendous power to support our work, build greater careers, and realize greater value.
Closing Thoughts: A Message to the Students
Zhenfeng: On the platform of GGDS, I have witnessed countless women illuminating a sustainable future with their wisdom. “better life” and “better career” are never contradictory—they are two sides of the same coin. From family to workplace, from local communities to the global stage, women’s unique resilience, empathy, and innovation are the key forces in addressing climate change and driving green transformation.
At this summit, I see women turning ideas into action. Remember: Our curiosity fuels innovation. Our empathy makes sustainability human-centered. Our collaboration creates lasting change.
We are the future of green energy. Go lead it—with heart, courage, and joy!
