As a woman in engineering, what has your journey been like, and what change would you most like to see in the industry?
I feel very fortunate to have had several female mentors throughout my career who have made my journey both empowering and transformative. Early on, there were many occasions when I was the only woman in the room. I had to learn how to become comfortable speaking up and leading technical discussions in environments that did not always feel inclusive.
At RED, we’re fortunate to have communities that actively champion inclusivity and innovation. However, as an industry, there is still significant progress to be made in breaking the glass ceiling that limits women from fully excelling.
To truly bridge the gender gap, I’d like to see greater representation of women in management and decision-making roles. Leadership representation shapes culture, influences policy, and sets the standard for the next generation of engineers.
What’s one piece of knowledge you’ve given that’s helped others grow?
Competence builds credibility, but confidence builds influence. Never be afraid to take up space.
What have you gained - personally or professionally - when you supported another woman in engineering?
Supporting other women has strengthened me both personally and professionally. I’ve gained confidence, broader perspective, and a stronger professional network.
On a personal level, there is immense fulfilment in seeing someone step into a role they once doubted they could handle. Professionally, supporting others enhances overall team performance. Diverse voices lead to more resilient design decisions - particularly in mission-critical environments like Data Centres.
On one of my most recent projects, I had the opportunity to lead an all-women electrical team. We delivered exceptional work and had plenty of fun while doing it!
How do you see collaboration helping build the future of Data Centre design?
Collaboration is essential in building the future of Data Centre design. Engineering is collaborative by nature, and the ability to translate complex systems into clear, actionable insights accelerates careers and strengthens teams.
The future of Data Centre design depends on how well we work together - across disciplines and different perspectives. Inclusivity is key to our future success.
