Empowering People Through Purposeful Innovation
Silvia Lorena Dioses Farfán
Director of Business Management Systems
Empowering People Through Purposeful Innovation
Silvia Lorena Dioses Farfán
Director of Business Management Systems
ISA Energ a Peru
Silvia Lorena Dioses Farfán-Most Visionary Tech Leaders 2025
Technology means little if it doesn’t serve people. It can drive efficiency and scale, but its true power lies in creating opportunity, reducing inequalities, and shaping a more sustainable future. For Silvia Lorena Dioses Farfán, technology is not just about systems or efficiency — it is about people, purpose, and progress. That belief has defined a career of more than two decades across banking, government, industry, and especially energy, where she has become one of Peru’s most influential leaders in digital transformation and innovation. ISA is a multi-Latin company within the Ecopetrol Group, and Silvia has been part of ISA Energía Perú since 2008. She has led multiple strategic fronts, including quality and risk management, and even assumed the challenge of leading transmission line maintenance management. Today, as Director of Business Management Systems, she oversees strategy and technology management, digital transformation, and innovation—driving the company’s evolution toward a data-driven and sustainable energy future, in alignment with the ISA 2040 strategy: ‘the energy that gives life to the transition’ Beyond her executive role, Silvia is also a professor, an advocate for women in technology and energy, and a strong promoter of digitalisation as a driver of economic development and wellbeing for both people and the planet. In this exclusive conversation with TradeFlock, she shares her vision and the responsibility she embraces as a tech leader in today’s world.
What challenges do tech leaders face today, and how do you navigate them?
The hardest part isn’t keeping up with technology; it is ensuring that it truly creates value. That means preparing people — giving them the skills and confidence to thrive in a digital world. We closely tie our digital efforts to our strategic goals, focusing on becoming data-driven, utilising AI responsibly, maintaining resilience, and protecting against cyber threats. But no company can do it alone. I collaborate with academia, suppliers, government, and civil society to drive innovation forward. I also take part in crossindustry forums where leaders share insights and shape the future together.
"At the end of the day, tech leadership is really about people and partnerships, not just tools."
What should be at the core of a tech leader’s agenda in the next ten years?
In the decade ahead, tech leadership has to move
beyond pure innovation and become humancentric, strategic, and sustainable. Technology
will continue to advance at an incredible pace, but
the real test is whether we can empower people
to adapt, lead, and thrive in a digital world.
The agenda begins with a sharp strategic vision
that strengthens competitiveness, prioritising
people by investing in their skills and fostering
digital fluency across every level of the organisation.
It also means making smart investments, scaling
proven solutions into daily operations, and staying
globally aware through continuous learning and
strong networks. This is the kind of leadership
the future demands—where technology serves
purpose, people, and lasting progress.
What is the true purpose of technology in society today?
“Technology’s true purpose is to amplify human potential and drive sustainable progress. It’s not about efficiency alone—it’s about transforming lives, reducing inequalities, and creating value with purpose.” From the wheel to the internet, every breakthrough has reshaped the way we live. Its purpose has always been the same: to help us live better. But today, with technology everywhere, its risks are greater too—inequality, manipulation, and new ethical challenges, especially with AI. As tech leaders, we must ensure technology stays ethical, accessible, and sustainable, while helping people understand the long-term impact of their digital choices.
How can tech leaders ensure their work benefits people and communities, rather than just markets?
Strong financial results are essential for a company’s sustainability, but they’re no longer enough. Today’s context demands impact that benefits both society and the environment. As tech leaders, we have a unique opportunity to make a meaningful contribution. We’ve implemented an AI solution that detects unsafe behaviours in real time, helping supervisors protect workers proactively. We also launched Desafío Qhipa, engaging more than 200 students aged 12 to 15 in learning programming and designing sustainable cities in Minecraft, bringing technology and purpose closer to the community through play. Technology must serve people and all forms of life. This means raising awareness about how individuals share their data, empowering them to act responsibly, and taking on the responsibility to drive change not only for today but also for the future.
Is Big Tech taking on roles meant for democratic institutions, and how do you respond?
We can’t afford to just worry-it’s time we must act. Big Tech now influences policymaking, infrastructure, and even public trust. In today’s hyperconnected world, our economies rely heavily on these platforms, so the challenge is not to ignore them but to manage their impact responsibly. In Peru, ranking 63rd in the IMD Digital Competitiveness Index of 2024 is a wake-up call. While governments work to modernise and promote digital inclusion, leaders must also step in. My focus is on building digital capabilities, deploying ethical AI and data governance, and helping people understand how they share their information. As tech leaders, we must raise awareness of digital behaviour and its consequences. Citizens also need to elect digitally competent leaders. I take seriously the responsibility to use technology for meaningful, ethical, and inclusive change.
