Katy Roberts, Sales & Marketing Director 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who are just starting out in their careers? 

 Never feel intimidated by what you don’t know. Be excited by the opportunity to ask for clarity, to ask for help. You’ll find that people love to help. Just because you may not know as much as the next person doesn’t make you any less valuable. Keep hungry, keep learning, but also keep holding space to breathe and reflect. You are more than you give yourself credit for. It took me about 15 years to learn that lesson. 

Danila Aly, Senior Certification Engineer 

Q: What challenges have you faced as a woman in your profession, and how have you overcome them? 

As a female Civil Engineer, you are treated differently and it depends on whether you will be on site or on a design office, and it is a prevalent problem in the industry. Women may face stereotypes that question their competence or suitability but like any other male dominant industry, it all depends on the men you work with, how you are treated will be based on your performance, as with any other industry. 

I think we need to campaign to break down barriers that prevent talented people into seeing the path to engineering. We shouldn’t talk about the challenges women face in engineering in 2025, it is important to look into the positives by showcasing engineering as an attractive career for women to work in where everyone can succeed.

Henri Bislick, Commercial Manager 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who are just starting out in their careers? 

I think if anything, females do, in some cases, feel that they have to work harder to break the still apparent view of what a traditional role for a female is. Opinions on females are also usually based on appearance or how we dress or speak, whereas you do not tend to hear feedback like that about male colleagues. That is still rife throughout society. My advice for any females starting out in this world is to go into the work place with the view they are a new colleague, not a female starting a new role. Put those thoughts of gender differences aside and show that workplace exactly what they can do. 

Samantha Da Fonseca, Principal Certification Engineer 

Q: What challenges have you faced as a woman in your profession, and how have you overcome them? 

I have, in most places I‘ve worked, been the only woman doing my role in an engineering capacity at the time I was there– except for my last place of work and here at the BBA. It really did make a lovely change having more women doing the same job, at my last role and here at the BBA. 

Q: Who are the women who have inspired you in your career and how have they influenced your path? 

I’m afraid there weren’t many women role-models in the media that I remember growing up in the 80’s and 90’s – most women in the media were on tv for their beauty rather than their brains with a few exceptions that I remember, like Margaret Thatcher who, even though I didn’t have a clue about politics at that age, made it clear that a woman really can do any job. 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who are just starting out in their careers? 

I have a daughter, so this is very relevant to me. I would tell her not to let other people dissuade her from doing a technical job – whether that is in computers or engineering. The only thing I would say, is to check that there is a need in industry for the skills she wants to develop. Do research, find out what skills are needed for the role you want, there are so many fulfilling roles that school-leavers have never heard of – people who design or make safe things that you use every day. 

Emma Bell-Berry, IT Project Manager 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who are just starting out in their careers? 

• Believe in yourself -  Confidence is key, trust your abilities, you bring a unique view, perspective and have skills to bring to the table. 
• Network & build relationships - Connect with others in your industry this can help with sharing experiences, offer support and learn from your learn from your peers. 
• Be resilient - You will encounter setbacks, face challenges and moments of doubt. What matters is how you respond to these. Learn from these, ask for help and you will come back stronger! 
• Take risks– Be open to opportunities that push you and take you out of your comfort zone. Trying new things can make you feel a little intimidated, but these often help you grow and the feeling of achievement when you triumph is great. 
• Find a mentor - Seek out someone you respect who can offer guidance, feedback and advice. 
• Never stop learning - Stay curious and seek out new skills – it keeps life interesting and don’t underestimate your ability to learn at any age. 

Starting a new career can be both daunting and exciting. Remember you have a lot to offer, your voice is important, and your perspective is valuable. Stay true to your values and embrace the journey! 

Deborah Orr, Marketing Campaign Manager 

Q: What challenges have you faced as a woman in your profession, and how have you overcome them? 

As a woman in marketing, particularly in the construction space, there have been a few!  Early on, there was a sense that I had to work harder than my male counterparts to prove my competence. People sometimes assumed that I wasn’t as strategic or capable of handling high-level decisions.  

One challenge I’ve consistently faced is being taken seriously in high-stakes situations or boardroom discussions. Marketing can sometimes be viewed as a more “creative” field, and I found that people would sometimes overlook the strategic and business impact of the work marketing does. Over time, I’ve had to make sure that my contributions were not just heard but also respected by backing them up with data and measurable outcomes. marketing. 

Natalie Colquhoun, Technical Support Manager

Q: Who are the women who have inspired you in your career, and how have they influenced your path?

I have been inspired by people like Jucinda Ardern, the Prime Minister. What an inspiration she has been at such a young age especially during the pandemic. She proved that strong female traits are equally valid and impactful in her leadership style. That has helped empower my approach and style as a manager and how influence others.

I am equally as inspired by some of my fellow colleagues who come from different backgrounds, countries and cultures to me. With the context and understanding of what is going on elsewhere in the world it inspires me to make the most of the opportunities I am granted.

I have been supported in my career progression by male managers and leaders to which I am grateful and heartened by the inclusive attitudes they display. This support is necessary if we are going to keep moving equality forward.