"“Our lives have already changed”: She studied agricultural engineering and is revolutionizing the renewable energy model", May 26, 2026

From a very young age, Stella Zapata was certain of one thing: she had to study, and study hard, to get ahead.

In primary school, Stella excelled academically, becoming class flag bearer and receiving a scholarship. That was when she began to dream, “Why not?” of going to university.“With a scholarship and residential support, 200 kilometers from my home...”

Soon, Stella began working while studying.“I was tired of living in survival mode,” she explains.

Stella’s story is one of transformation and perseverance, but also of reconnection. Although her abilities took her far, she chose to reconnect with her community and her roots. “Something deep inside me kept telling me that I needed to reconnect, build links, and find my way back somehow.”

Although the project is still in the investment phase, the impact of Cla Nehuen Antu on the Mapuche community is already visible. “Our lives have already changed. People often ask what motivates us. What motivates us is the need to move away from environments of vulnerability. Within the community, many young people experienced alcoholism, suicide, and displacement. Today, this project shows us a different future. Many young people are already studying technical careers and preparing themselves for different opportunities,” Stella said.

For her, being a woman and Mapuche is not in any way incompatible with being the president of a company and sitting at business tables discussing investments, equity, rates of return, and megawatts.

Today, at 43 years old, Stella is completing the final requirements for her degree in agricultural engineering, is the mother of two children, and serves as president of Cla Nehuen Antu, a company that aims to become the first solar park located on Indigenous community land in Latin America. The initiative is the result of collaboration between Sustentar, Meliquina, and the Millaqueo Mapuche Community. In this role, Stella brings together past and future, modernity and tradition.