I sat down with Christabel Ofori-Atta — a rising African energy leader whose journey from Ghana to the United Kingdom proves that mindset, resilience and visibility can be just as powerful as qualifications. From early academic excellence in West Africa to shaping the UK’s energy transition today, Christabel embodies what it means to push beyond boundaries and redefine possibility.
Who Is Christabel?
Christabel describes herself as an ambitious, forward-thinking, open-minded engineer with a vibrant personality and an unwavering drive to excel. She holds:
- MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures — Imperial College London (UK)
- BSc in Petrochemical Engineering — Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Ghana)
Today, she serves as a Senior Modelling Analyst at Energy Systems Catapult (UK), where she works on complex whole-energy-systems modelling to support local and national energy planning. She is passionate about sustainability, next-generation technologies and tackling global energy poverty.
Table of Contents
Early Life in Ghana — The Foundation of Excellence
Christabel spent most of her early years in Accra, Ghana. From a young age, education was non-negotiable for her — she took pride in attending some of the best schools in the country and striving for excellence. She believes that the competitive academic environment she grew up in shaped her discipline, confidence and ambition.
Her first degree in petrochemical engineering marked a major milestone — and the beginning of her journey into the energy world.
Professional Experience Across West Africa
Before relocating to the UK, Christabel built over seven years of engineering and energy experience with global companies including:
🔹 Halliburton
🔹 Schlumberger
She worked across Ghana, Nigeria and West Africa, taking on demanding roles that strengthened her technical capability, leadership skills and cultural adaptability. Working in Nigeria — her first international leap — boosted her confidence and proved she could thrive outside her comfort zone.
The Turning Point — COVID-19 & the Decision to Level Up
Before the pandemic, relocating again wasn’t part of Christabel’s plan. Life in Ghana was stable. But COVID-19 forced her to pause and reflect. During that stillness, she realised she wanted more — more knowledge, more exposure and more impact.
She began applying to universities across the UK, US and France. After receiving multiple offers, she chose Imperial College London, one of the world’s most prestigious engineering institutions. The financial requirements were daunting, but she secured support from family and earned a scholarship from the Ghana Education Trust, which became a turning point in her life.
Adjusting to Life in the UK — A New World
Arriving in London to begin her Master’s degree was both exciting and overwhelming. Returning to academia after years in industry required a mental reset — new learning rhythms, new expectations, and a fast-paced environment.
Despite the initial adjustment challenges, she completed the MSc successfully and emerged even more intellectually and professionally empowered.
Job Search Reality — Rejection, Competition and Persistence
Graduation came with a new challenge: finding a job in the UK.
Christabel applied for roles, received rejection after rejection, and realised how competitive the market was — brilliant professionals from all over the world were chasing the same opportunities. But rejecting herself was never an option. She doubled down and kept going.
Her first breakthrough came when she landed a project management role at Alton, where she worked on a major aerospace project for Rolls-Royce. Despite not having a project management certification at the time, she performed exceptionally well — proof that mindset beats labels. She later received outstanding recommendations when she left.
Breaking Into the UK Energy Sector
Even while working on aerospace projects, Christabel never lost sight of her long-term purpose: energy and sustainability. She continued:
- Posting and learning about energy and climate transition
- Following energy-industry news daily
- Developing her expertise outside working hours
One day, an energy organisation contacted her — not because she applied randomly, but because her visibility aligned with her expertise. She earned a role not just through qualifications, but through consistency and strategic self-positioning.
Today, she works as a Senior Modelling Analyst at Energy Systems Catapult, playing a key role in the UK’s national and local energy transition efforts.
Showing Up Authentically — A Black African Woman in STEM
Christabel refuses to dim her identity to fit in. When her organisation hosted a Black History Month celebration, she performed an original poem honouring African heritage — and it spread across the company internally. It became a reminder that authenticity creates connection and influence.
She also actively champions increased representation of underrepresented groups in energy and STEM careers globally — especially for young girls and women who doubt they belong in technical fields.
The Power of Mentorship and Community
Behind her achievements are strong pillars — especially mentorship and family. She credits her mother as her greatest motivator and source of belief, while professional mentors across West Africa and the UK prepared her for difficult decisions, transitions and opportunities.
To Christabel, mentorship does not replace hard work — it accelerates purpose.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Christabel’s journey has not been smooth. Her major battles included:
- Adjusting to a new academic and cultural environment
- Job hunting and rejections
- Imposter syndrome, especially in roles beyond her comfort zone
Her breakthrough came when she embraced a new mindset:
“Don’t shrink yourself to fit in. Your difference is your strength.”
Her consistency, courage, visibility and faith eventually aligned to create her success.
Her Life Philosophy
Christabel lives by a message that shapes her decisions:
“The goal is not to live forever. The goal is to create something that will.” — Chuck Palahniuk
Her mission extends beyond her own career; she wants to open doors for others, empower young people globally, and boost equal opportunities in STEM.
Final Reflection
Christabel’s story is more than a success narrative — it is evidence that:
- Mindset can rewrite your destiny
- Visibility can unlock opportunity
- Authenticity can set you apart
- Preparation and consistency eventually meet opportunity
She is not just working in energy — she is shaping its future.
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