Stories matter. They show us what’s possible, introduce us to those who have walked the paths we now consider taking, and remind us that we are not alone.
Yet, when it comes to systems thinking, system dynamics, and complexity sciences, stories of women in this field often go untold.
This collection exists to change that.
For young girls curious about how the world really works, for professionals searching for a new way to think about problems, and for anyone who has ever wondered, "Do I belong here?"—these women answer with a resounding yes.
They come from different backgrounds—science, policy, business, education—but they all found their way to systems thinking. Some discovered it by accident, others through deep study, and many were already seeing the world this way long before they had the words for it.
This is their story. And if you see yourself in their words, maybe it can be yours too.
"The moment it clicked"
For Karishma Gupte, it happened in a classroom.
"I first heard the words ‘systems thinking’ in a Global Energy and Sustainability class during my master’s program. At first, it was hard to grasp. But when it finally clicked, it was an epiphany—I realized how reductionist my thinking had been. Everything is connected. Not just people, but economies, ecosystems, and ideas. That realization changed me."
For Birgit Kopainsky, it was a struggle before it became clarity.
"I gradually became aware of systems thinking in the early stages of my PhD when I spectacularly failed at performing well in other analytical approaches. Discovering systems thinking felt like coming home—it reflected the way I look at the world and how I make sense of conflicting information and competing interests."
For Nandintsetseg Battulga, it started as a natural curiosity before becoming a structured way of thinking.
"I always had a tendency to step back and look at the bigger picture, wondering how everything connects. When I formally encountered systems thinking, I realized—it wasn't just a way of thinking, it was a methodology that could help explain complexity, solve problems, and create impact."
For Estee Miltz, the turning point was a question she couldn’t stop asking: Why are things not working as they should?
"I had a background in ocean modeling, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay in that field. I was more interested in applied sciences—how we communicate science and use it to inform policy. That’s when I discovered a Ph.D. project on applying system dynamics to marine spatial planning. Suddenly, I had a way to connect the dots."
For some, systems thinking was a skill they had been using all along—without realizing it had a name.
For others, it was a new way of seeing the world that shifted everything.
"The misconceptions we wish people understood"
Systems thinking often sounds intimidating. Big words. Complex diagrams. A specialized field.
But the truth? It’s already part of our daily lives.
"The biggest misconception?" asks Eva Paola Kvist Campos. "That it’s complicated. But at its core, it’s just elements, connections, and the greater purpose they serve together. Once you start seeing these patterns in daily life, it becomes intuitive."
For Nalini Pillay, the biggest myth is that systems thinking is for a select few.
"People think it’s an exclusive skillset, but it’s not. It’s an inherent ability we all have—it just takes practice to refine it. You don’t need to be a scientist or an engineer. You just need to ask better questions."
For Nandintsetseg, systems thinking is often mistaken for a tool rather than a way of seeing the world.
"It’s not just about building models or drawing diagrams—it’s about understanding complexity, challenging assumptions, and designing better interventions."
And for Birgit, it’s about understanding deeper layers of problems, not just surface connections.
"Systems thinking is not about demonstrating that everything is connected to everything. It forces you to go beyond the immediate drivers of a problem to understand the goals and paradigms people hold—often unconsciously—which shape stubborn societal challenges."
"The moments that changed how we see the world"
Once you start thinking in systems, it’s hard to stop.
For Eva, it changed how she saw health and habits.
"I stopped seeing things as isolated choices and started recognizing delays, feedback loops, and unintended consequences. Lifestyle choices—exercise, diet, stress—don’t show immediate results, but they accumulate over time. Understanding that changed how I make long-term decisions."
For Nandintsetseg, it changed the way she approached policy and decision-making.
"Instead of looking at isolated policies, I started seeing governance as a system. It’s not just about ‘fixing’ things—it’s about understanding how decisions create reinforcing or balancing loops that impact society over time."
For Nalini, systems thinking transformed the way her company tackled energy maintenance.
"We were struggling with balancing energy availability. A brainstorming session led us to create a causal loop diagram, and suddenly, we could see the reinforcing and balancing loops at play. That shifted everything."
For Birgit, it’s difficult to pinpoint a single moment.
"I have been working with systems thinking and modeling for more than 20 years now. It’s hard to say what has NOT been influenced by systems thinking!"
And for Diana Fisher, it changed her students' lives.
"When I had my students build stock-flow models, their thinking deepened beyond equations. They weren’t just memorizing math anymore—they were understanding systems. Seeing that transformation made me rethink everything I knew about education."
"If we could give one piece of advice..."
🔍 "Ask 'Why?' over and over again until you start uncovering the deeper patterns behind a system. Don’t stop at surface-level answers—keep digging." – Nalini
🎯 "There is necessary and unnecessary complexity. Focus on what truly matters. Not everything needs to be modeled; some things just need to be understood." – Alaize
🔬 "Start by mapping the systems around you—your city, your workplace, your daily routines. The best way to learn is by observing real-world dynamics and questioning how things interconnect." – Eva
🚸 "Young children are better at learning this than adults because they aren’t afraid to experiment and fail. Dive in early, make mistakes, and keep refining your understanding." – Diana
📖 "Start small and build your understanding over time. When working with system dynamics, begin with simple structures—then expand iteratively. Learning by doing is key." – Estee
🔄 "Just go for the loops, not the details. Practice drawing causal loop diagrams when you read the news, make decisions, or talk with friends. Systems thinking is simple—until you start practicing. And then, it’s everything." – Birgit
🧩 "Systems thinking isn’t just a tool—it’s a lens to see the world differently. Don’t be afraid to challenge assumptions, question mental models, and explore unintended consequences." – Nandintsetseg
We Need More Stories—Who Should We Feature Next?
The women in this piece come from different backgrounds, but they all found their way to systems thinking.
Now, we want to hear from you:
Who else should be featured? Do you know an inspiring woman working in systems thinking, system dynamics, or complexity science? Someone whose journey into systems deserves to be shared?
Tag them in the comments below or share their name with us!
🌍 Read the full interviews and explore more stories at:
👩💻 We will continue featuring new profiles on our website so others can find inspiration, connection, and community.
Let’s keep growing this movement—one story at a time.
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