As a woman in engineering, what has your journey been like, and what change would you most like to see in the industry?
At university, someone questioned my decision to study engineering because not many women were in the field. Instead of discouraging me, those words strengthened my determination and I decided to prove them wrong.
In my first job working on construction projects, I was disrespected by a member of staff who assumed I wouldn’t stand up for myself because I’m a woman. He was wrong. I spoke up and demanded the respect everyone deserves. No one should ever be disrespected, regardless of gender. Everyone has the right to feel safe at work.
Engineering remains a male-dominated field, but through our collective efforts, more and more young girls are being inspired and encouraged to pursue engineering, and that gives me hope for the future.
At university, my decision to study engineering was often questioned because so few women were in the field. If anything, that reinforced that I’d made the right choice.
What’s one piece of knowledge you’ve given that’s helped others grow?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. When I was a young engineer, I was shy and felt so much pressure as I believed everyone expected me to know everything, but the truth is, no one does. Mistakes will happen and they’re not something to fear, they are opportunities to grow.
I would also say, take time to analyze, think critically, and try to figure things out on your own. Be proactive. But when something feels unclear or doesn’t seem right, don’t hesitate to speak up. Ask. Seek clarity. That’s how you grow as an engineer and as a professional.
This simple piece of knowledge has helped my younger colleagues become more confident, more willing to speak up during meetings, share their ideas, and communicate openly with others. Watching them find their voices has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.
What have you gained - personally or professionally - when you supported another woman in engineering?
Professionally, I feel I’ve made a meaningful impact on students. I’ve received many messages from young people saying they were inspired to join RED Engineering after hearing my talks. Last year alone, I referred more than ten female graduates, and even more male graduates. The numbers don’t matter to me though, what matters is that even one person walked away inspired. That, to me, is enough of an achievement.
Personally, when I helped bring Women in RED to Manila, I had no idea how many people would get involved. When we started back in December 2023, we had around 15 members and today, we’ve grown to 45 women, allies, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. I never expected the WiRED family in Manila to grow this much!
Through this journey, I didn’t just gain friends, I gained a community - people who genuinely want to support and uplift others, and who share the same passion for inspiring women in engineering.
How do you see collaboration helping build the future of Data Centre design?
Collaboration is the key to the future of Data Centre design. As the industry becomes more complex and faster-moving, no single person can build the future alone. Cross-discipline collaborations now allow us to design facilities that are more energy-efficient, adaptable, and future-proof.
Collaboration within diverse teams cultivates creativity and challenges traditional ways of solving problems. It brings in best practices and diverse experiences from different regions - what works in one country may inspire innovation in another. When people of different genders, ages, backgrounds, and nationalities come together, they bring fresh perspectives that spark creativity and lead to better solutions.
