Dr.-Ing. Ninghong Sun is a team leader at TransnetBW GmbH, where she and her team develop analyses and ideas to ensure energy supply security in Germany and Europe.

Born and raised in China, Ninghong first studied in Shanghai and later pursued industrial engineering at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Early in her career, she discovered that gut feeling and intuition play a crucial role in decision-making.

“I was young and, on paper, had a great job with a great employer,” Ninghong says about her first position after graduation. However, just two months in, she realized she wouldn’t find happiness in that field and decided to move on. She has never regretted the decision. In her current role, she combines her market-oriented understanding with her passion for innovation and technology. At TransnetBW, the focus isn’t on profit maximization but on energy supply security, which allows Ninghong the freedom to think creatively about innovative, collective solutions.

She genuinely enjoys what she does. Ninghong and her husband agreed from the start to share caregiving responsibilities equally and both work full-time. Growing up in China, where full-day childcare is the norm rather than the exception, she was surprised by how conservatively many people in Germany approach family life. Sometimes, she feels judged for her decision to work full-time, but she trusts her instincts. “I need to be happy too. And when I’m happy, I can be a good mother,” Ninghong says.

Ninghong is also available as a mentor and would particularly like to exchange ideas with another mother in a leadership role. More information can be found in the book.

 

Frauen des Jahres 2024/2025 (available only in German language)
Link to the book