By Friska Setiawani Saragih – Lake Manager, Regal Springs Indonesia
I believe every woman has a strength she may not even realize, strength to learn, adapt, lead, and still stay true to herself. Aquaculture may not be an industry that often places women in the spotlight, but with hard work, perseverance, and belief in our own potential, we can become a source of strength for those around us.
My journey in aquaculture started simply. I graduated with a degree in Chemistry from Universitas Negeri Medan, then deepened my knowledge at the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), in 2025. Aquaculture has been my “home” for nearly 20 years through Regal Springs Indonesia, a company that has taught me the value of cross-cultural collaboration and technology. I’m also proud to have had the opportunity to study at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. For me, education is the fuel that keeps me moving forward.
One thing I’ve learned and want to share is this: leading in an environment dominated by men requires high adaptability. I work in the Batak region with a field team that is 90% male. There have been moments when I needed to prove that my decisions were sound that I could be firm yet wise. These challenges have motivated me to show that ability knows no gender or boundaries.
I take pride in the milestones achieved with my team, boosting production, implementing best farming practices, and helping Regal Springs become the first tilapia company in the world to earn Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification.
Behind all of this, I am also a wife and mother of three. Balancing technical and strategic work, leading field discussions, and ensuring the best production outcomes is not easy. Yet I firmly believe that family is the anchor that keeps me steady.
My principle is simple: always add value to yourself, keep learning from anyone, and strive to be useful to those around you. And above all, be the best version of yourself.
Women do not need to wait for a space to be given; sometimes, we must create it ourselves. To all the women striving to give their best at work and at home, believe me, we are capable. The challenges we face today are often just stepping stones to surpass limits we once thought impossible.
