Emilija

Emilija Musteikytė: From a New Role to Leading Community Initiatives

Emilija Musteikytė’s career journey is about building something from the ground up, driven by commitment, resilience, and a clear vision. As the first-ever Community Coordinator at Ignitis Renewables, she was responsible for managing the community support process—a brand-new role in the company. "When I saw the job posting, I couldn’t believe it. It felt like it was created just for me," she shares. With a strong sense of purpose and supportive leadership, Emilija quickly began envisioning the positive impact she could make.

Stepping into her new role wasn’t without challenges. Emilija’s primary goal was to build trust within local communities, some of whom were initially hesitant to engage with a corporate entity. “It took a few years for some communities to believe we were here to stay. They needed to know my communication was not just from me, but represented the company’s values too,” she reflects. She points out that trust in business, especially one with state ownership, can take time to build. But with patience and persistence, Emilija started seeing positive feedback and signs of trust from the communities she worked with.

Growing into Leadership

Emilija’s transition to Senior Community Manager and now as Communities Team Lead further broadened her perspective. "I still believe that engaging communities is essential to sustainable business, not just in energy but across all sectors," she says. This shift to leadership, however, meant focusing more on refining work principles and standardizing processes across different projects and countries. For Emilija, it’s a fascinating challenge—how to keep the unique, relationship-based nature of community work while ensuring consistency across teams.

Creating Connections and Celebrating Successes

One of the highlights of Emilija’s career was when she helped one community in Kretinga connect with another in Mažeikiai to share their experiences with a street lighting project. “Seeing them connect, share ideas, and learn from each other made me realize the true power of our work. It’s these moments of unity that create stronger bonds within society,” she explains. To Emilija, building a network of connected communities across Lithuania is a significant step toward trust, resilience, and security.

Essential Skills for Community Building

When it comes to the skills needed to succeed in community work, Emilija emphasizes patience, empathy, and communication. “You have to listen, work gradually, and sometimes wait years to see the results,” she says. Empathy, both with the community and within the company, is crucial, as is being a translator of sorts, bridging different perspectives. Knowledge of local government, sustainability, and an interest in policy also play an essential role.

Looking Ahead

Looking to the future, Emilija sees expansion and standardization as her team grows into Poland and Estonia. “We’re integrating international standards into our work and standardizing processes to improve project management and transparency,” she shares. As Ignitis Renewables’ community initiatives grow, she envisions a future where every team member feels connected and every community sees the impact of their efforts.

Through her work, Emilija exemplifies the transformative power of commitment, empathy, and vision in community building. Her journey at Ignitis Renewables is a reminder that meaningful change starts with a single step—and the courage to connect.