Speakers:

Session: Opening remarks from the Chair

Session: Opening remarks from the Chair

Elsa Antunes is a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering in the College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University (JCU). She is the Director of the Advanced Materials & Manufacturing HUB at JCU. Dr Antunes received the 2023 Women in Industry Award for Excellence in Engineering. In addition, in 2023 she established the AWESOME (Activity Women Engineering Society – Opportunity, Mentorship and Empowerment) to support young female students in Engineering.

Dr Antunes obtained her PhD degree in Engineering from James Cook University in 2018. Since 2018, Dr Antunes has attracted more than >$2M in competitive research funding as a Chief Investigator. Dr Antunes research is focused on the field of Materials Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, developing new materials and manufacturing techniques for biomedical implants, aerospace, and catalysis applications.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: What does the future of leadership in engineering look like?

Session: Coping with increasingly complex engineering work, projects and expectations

Johanna Austin is a dynamic engineering leader with a wealth of experience in driving innovation and transformation within the technology and aerospace sectors. Currently serving as the Head of Engineering at AIM, Johanna leads teams in developing cutting-edge technologies and solutions.

Previously, she was an Advisory Board Member for Digital and AI Transformation at Priestley's Gourmet Holdings Ltd, where she provided strategic guidance on integrating digital tools and AI technologies. Johanna also held key roles at Swoop Aero, including Head of Engineering and Production Systems Engineering Lead, where she managed complex projects and optimized production processes.

With a strong background in engineering and a passion for innovation, Johanna is dedicated to fostering technological advancements and achieving excellence in every project.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Many paths, one destination: building a successful career & becoming an effective engineering leader

Jenna Connellan is an electrical engineer by training, with a masters in engineering management. Her decade of experience spans utility software technical sales and business development with Locusview, strategic transmission electrical network planning and operations in the Australian and South African utility spaces with AEMO and Eskom respectively, business development and energy management consulting in the South African and Australian electricity and solar markets with Sinani Energy and 5B respectively, and management consulting through business improvement and digital transformation with Deloitte Consulting South Africa.

Jenna has recently re-entered the world of renewable energy as a project manager for Nextracker.

Session: Achieving a thriving engineering career while nurturing a fulfilling personal life

Session: Roundtable 4: Engineering a sustainable future

An Environmental Engineer involved in the environmental consulting industry for more than ten years, Michelle Damasio has engaged with distinct stakeholders within both private and governmental sectors. Overseas, she primarily worked with environmental impact assessments, establishing technical tools for environmental management systems with a focus on water and waste management solutions and the rehabilitation of degraded environments. Within Australia, she has been primarily engaged with the contaminated land consulting industry, assessing potential contaminated sites through desktop and in-situ investigations to comply with national guidelines and regulatory frameworks.

Session: ENGINEERING LEADERS ROUNDTABLE: Pioneering change and overcoming challenges

Alexis is an engineer and an experienced leader with more than 25 year’s experience spanning all stages of project delivery, including the development of strategies, project planning, planning and environmental approvals, funding submissions, design and construction. During her extensive career, Alexis has held key roles on major projects in the public and private sectors in Australia and the UK.

Alexis is an Executive Program Director at MRPV and is responsible for overseeing a diverse range of areas including:

• Project Development
• Land Planning Environment
• Engineering and Innovation
• Social Value and Inclusion
• ecologiQ
• Roads Program Delivery

Alexis actively champions the need to address the underrepresentation of women in the industry and is a regular mentor in the Women in Transport mentoring program. She was a key driver of the development of MRPV’s Gender Equality Action Plan and is a member of the MRPV Gender Equality Steering Committee.

Session: Roundtable 2: Building confidence, combating impostor syndrome & leveraging the power of diverse teams

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: What does the future of leadership in engineering look like?

Sheryll is a Principal Engineer with over 20 years’ experience in civil engineering design, in project and design management of major infrastructure projects.

Sheryll’s experience has been gained from varied work experience in the design of roads/ highway, and rail projects from feasibility study stage through detailed design and construction phase.

She understands the importance of working in collaboration with contractors and stakeholders to ensure that the interfaces have been considered and the integrity of the overall design maintained.

Sheryll is also a passionate advocate in helping migrant engineers find work opportunities in the design and construction industry.

Session: Fostering Australia's engineering talent: seizing opportunities and reshaping the profession

Dr. Alison Every has completed her PhD, investigating immunotherapeutic approaches to prevent type 1 diabetes, at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. After a lengthy career as a researcher in the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences at The University of Melbourne, fostering several fruitful collaborations that resulted in 28 publications and supervision of six PhD students to completion, she discovered a love of mentoring. She is passionate about addressing the barriers and challenges facing groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and associated careers, including girls, Indigenous students, regional/rural/remote students and students from low SES backgrounds.

Session: Adapting engineering strategies to minimise climate exposure risks

Bernadette Fitzgerald is an experienced senior sustainability and project manager with a proven track record in the property and transport construction sectors. She excels in collaborating with a broad range of project stakeholders, managing complex and tight schedules, and developing sustainability strategies that align with client aspirations. With a technical background, Bernadette is passionate about integrating sustainability, environmental, and social objectives into practical outcomes.

For 17 years, Bernadette has worked on private and public infrastructure and property projects, including transport infrastructure, industrial, residential, and commercial sectors. Her professional specializations include ESG and decarbonization, climate resilience, statutory compliance and planning, stakeholder engagement, risk management, energy and water modeling, building physics, and renewable energy.

A dedicated member of NAWIC throughout her career, Bernadette was honored with the 2016 award for Contribution to Environmental Sustainability. She is committed to enhancing business performance and driving whole-of-life outcomes through robust assessment practices that benefit both the environment and profitability.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Many paths, one destination: building a successful career & becoming an effective engineering leader

Gaye Francis is an engineering professional with over 20 years’ experience conducting high level due diligence for organisations to make safe, effective and compliant decisions. She is passionate about helping organisations ensure all hazards and incidents have been identified and practical and reasonable precautions are in place to manage them.

After graduating from University of Melbourne with Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) in 1997, she commenced with R2A later that year as a risk consulting engineer. In 2005 she commenced her role as Managing Director.

As Managing Director of R2A Due Diligence Engineers, my role is to solve complex technical issues within the context of various regulatory frameworks. My client experience ranges from the private and government sectors and a wide-spectrum of industries including road, rail, marine, mining, aviation and water.

She also shares her knowledge of due diligence and governance as Co-Author of the R2A text publication, Engineering Due Diligence, and have presented at many conferences.

In 2013, she was one of the founding members for Australia’s first, fit-for-purpose, women’s PPE range: Apto. She remains as Managing Director with a passion to let women working in male dominated industries know they no longer need to wear ill-fitting, men’s PPE and can be safe, comfortable and stylish onsite.

Outside of R2A and Apto, she is an active member of Risk Management Expert, Powerline Bushfire Safety Committee and has previous Committee experience with Engineers Australia National Committee of Women in Engineering, Engineers Australia Revision of the Safety Case Guidelines, Victorian Women in Engineering, 15th International Conference for Women Engineers & Scientists 2011 (ICWES15) in Adelaide, and Engineers Australia Emerging Leaders pilot program.

Session: Engineering your future

Session: Roundtable 1: How to move from a technical role to a management position

An award-winning business leader, engineer and entrepreneur, Felicity Furey has made a career out of making the ‘impossible’, possible.

Named one of AFR’s 100 Women of Influence by age 26 and Boss Magazine’s Young Executive of The Year, Felicity has led multi-million dollar engineering projects across Australia, founded several successful businesses including WeAspire and Power of Engineering and secured partnerships with the likes of Qantas, Toyota and Energy Australia to bring her vision to life.

Felicity helps find hidden leadership talent, mentors high-performing teams and equips current and emerging leaders across every industry with the skills they need to make an impact and drive meaningful change. Felicity is the CEO of WeAspire, host of podcast “Promoted” and “Emerging Excellence” and is undertaking a PhD in emerging leadership.

Session: Masterclass A:  Leadership skills for current and emerging engineering leaders

"As a child, I was always taking on the role of some character or another. I didn’t need a stage, any garden or lounge room would suffice. I would change my words, the way I spoke and the way I moved to bring my new identity to life so I could tell their story. I knew that even subtle changes in my behaviour meant my audience (OK – my mum, dad, and elderly next door neighbour) would perceive me differently. As I got older, I became a student of acting and performing arts. I was captivated by the way actors, directors, set designers, script writers – the whole production crew in fact – use the written word, vocal delivery, body language and all manner of sensory signals to tell a story. To communicate a message. To create a connection with us, their audience and strive to cause a shift in our thoughts, attitudes or behaviours.

This fascination with the way we send (and receive) information in order to build rapport with an audience, propelled me into a career as a public relations and communications consultant. I advised businesses of all shapes and sizes on how to tell their story and build their brand presence in a way that connected with their customers, employees and other key stakeholders, causing a shift in their perceptions and behaviours.

In 2010, after speaking at a national sales conference designed to inspire and engage 2,500 employees to follow his vision and direction for the company, the Managing Director I was working with thanked me, saying: “you have provided me with the necessary coaching that has not only improved my communication and presentation style and capabilities, but has given me a lasting self-confidence that will remain with me for life.”

Kapow!

My focus shifted from helping organisations communicate their business brand messages, to helping high-performing individuals identify and express their leadership presence. I uncover how they want to show up and speak up as a leader and empower them with the skills and confidence to communicate their best, authentic self to the world, so they can connect more meaningfully with their stakeholders and contribute with more impact and influence."

Session: Leading by example: embodying resilience and flexibility in your team

Abbey Johnson is a strong motivational leader, implementing innovative strategies to deliver ground-breaking projects. With over 25 years’ experience in the design and construction industry, Abbey’s focus has been on complex large-scale mixed use and infrastructure developments.

Her experience leading multidisciplinary teams at Lendlease, Taylor Construction Group and Sydney Metro showcases her unique ability to work at the intersection of government and private sector.

Drawing on her extensive experience as project director, development manager, project manager, architect and writer, Abbey makes a significant impact across all project stages from business plan and land acquisition through to planning and delivery.

Abbey is renowned for her work on landmark urban regeneration projects, delivering award-winning, sustainable commercial and residential communities at Barangaroo South, Darling Quarter, Darling Square, Sydney Metro West (9 station sites) and the First Building (AMRF) at the City of Bradfield.

Abbey drives environmental stewardship on all her projects and is passionate about renewable energy and carbon reduction strategies. As Head of Design and Innovation at Taylor she implemented ESG and ESD policies, transitioning the company from 2 sustainable projects per year to over 20 and instigated a pathway towards a carbon neutral business.

Session: ENGINEERING LEADERS ROUNDTABLE: Pioneering change and overcoming challenges

Lisa Kinross is a highly qualified, values-driven executive and transformational leader with over 25 years’ experience as an executive and leader in strategic and transformational change spanning several industries.

Lisa holds a double Master’s Degree in Organisational Leadership/ Masters of Education (Policy, Leadership & Change) and also a Masters of Commerce, Human Resources Management and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Appointed as the first female CEO for the Civil Contractors Federation Victoria in its 81-year history, Lisa has demonstrated exceptional leadership and advocacy in innovation and driving future skills development across sectors including the water industry nationally and the civil industry within Victoria.

As a strategic advisor, Lisa also sits on several industry advisory group committees and has a vested interest in promoting circular economy and sustainability principles across the civil construction arena, which the CCF represents.

Passionate about people, she creates opportunities for collaboration and sharing of ideas, knowledge, resources, and experience for the betterment of individuals, businesses, and industry sectors.

She inspires women in the industry through her leadership and drive to see a more diverse workforce. Within this, she has been instrumental in leading the introduction of CCF Victoria’s Pathways program to create a much-needed pipeline of talent by leading up to 120 women and First Nations participants on a career journey within civil construction through employment placement and the completion of a recognised Apprenticeship.

Session: How others can ally with and empower women to grow in the engineering profession

Rick Kreeck is the Victoria/South Australia Lead at BG&E: an Australian engineering consultant servicing clients in a wide range of markets across the world. He is a Director on the Board of BG&E and chairs the Safety, Quality & Risk Committee. He also previously chaired the Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Committee and led BG&E’s Reconciliation Action Plan. He led BG&E’s Materials business since its inception in 2012 and has worked on landmark projects around the world. He is passionate about seeing people achieve their potential. Creating opportunities to broaden the engineering fraternity is an ongoing focus, from supporting STEM studies with indigenous students to mentoring future leaders in the business.

In a career spanning almost 30 years Rick previously worked at Readymix and Rinker Australia, and at EY. He provided advisory services to key companies in the construction industry. He is a Fellow of Engineers Australia, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has an MBA. Outside of the office, he is a keen runner, plays music when he can, and enjoys every moment spent with his family and friends.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: What can we learn from how different engineering disciplines solve their project management problems?

Nina is a Senior Associate in the Structures team at BG&E Sydney. Nina is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia and has a Bachelor of Engineering (BE Civil) Hons 1 and Master of Engineering Science (MEngSc).

Nina has almost 20 year’s technical design and project management experience on a wide range of engineering projects in Australia and overseas, including when she returned from maternity leave in 2014 to project manage the firm’s largest building project in Dubai at the time – the $350 million Dubai Mall Zabeel Expansion. Nina’s career trajectory and flexible work legacy pave the way for enhanced gender diversity at her company. Recently, Nina returned from the BG&E London office, where she served as the interim Regional Director for the UK.

Nina's early career focused on technical design of tall buildings and major retail centres in the Middle East. Later she transitioned to work on Australian projects with a broader exposure to diverse building portfolios, including industrial warehouses, multistorey car parks, commercial towers, and mid to high-rise residential precinct projects.

Nina has since progressed into the Project Director role responsible for executing project leadership, strategic planning, and governance, delivering projects within the Property Sector and large-scale mixed-use developments. She has also been increasingly involved in refurbishment and adaptive reuse buildings to contribute to preserving the city’s unique historical landscape while offering sustainable solutions for the built environment.

Session: Developing the essential but often overlooked skills you need to succeed as an engineer

Evangeline Legaspi is a qualified engineer with 20 years of professional experience across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Her significant project portfolio includes shopping centres, hospitals and bridges as well as residential, commercial, education and mass rail transit facilities. Additionally, Evangeline’s high-level technical knowledge also incorporates designing for steel, timber and concrete structures.

Client service is Evangeline’s priority. Clients value her strong work ethic, unwavering commitment to meet project deadlines and genuine desire to produce the best results.

Session: ENGINEERING LEADERS ROUNDTABLE: Pioneering change and overcoming challenges

Madeleine McManus is the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Professional Engineering Education, a position she has held since January 2021. In this role, she leads initiatives to advance engineering education and professional development.

With over 15 years at Monash University, Madeleine has served in various capacities, including as an Advisory Board member for the ARC Linkage Project: Enhancing STEM Education since June 2020, and as a Foundation Engineering Board Member since February 2009. She was also the Founding Director of the Monash Industry Team Initiative (MITI), where she worked from July 2013 to December 2020, fostering industry-academic collaborations.

In addition to her work at Monash, Madeleine has been actively involved with Robogals Global, serving as Chair of the Partnerships Committee since January 2020 and as a Director since January 2018. Her commitment to engineering education extends to Swinburne University of Technology, where she has been a Course Advisory Board member since January 2005.

Madeleine also contributed to the Office of the Victorian Chief Engineer by participating in the Victorian State of Engineering Report Committee from January 2018 to August 2020. Her extensive experience and dedication to engineering and STEM education have made her a respected leader in the field.

Session: Project management strategies to meet deadlines, reduce costs and achieve project success

Anna Mozhgani is a well-qualified and self-motivated Senior Design Engineer, with experience in the fields of design, project management methodologies and construction of civil projects, who has practical skills and site experience with various civil sites and projects. Possessing excellent communication and interpersonal skills has enabled Anna to effectively lead a collaborative approach and facilitate the development and delivery of interface works/activities which require the internal and external stakeholders’ management.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: What can we learn from how different engineering disciplines solve their project management problems?

Sandra Nilsen is General Manager of Design and Engineering at BESIX Watpac, and works with the team to lead the development of deign and engineering solutions for both new opportunities as well as active projects - ensuring the best value for the client is achieved. Sandra has over 27years of construction and design experience, working across numerous major projects across a broad range of markets. She is also a Fellow of Engineers Australia and A Board member of CTBUH.

Session: Building the skills & relationships needed to drive your career forward

Marie O’Looney is an Associate Director at SDA Structures and her passion for engineering is contagious. She envisions an industry that is accessible to everyone, where creativity and innovation are integral to addressing society's needs. Her journey in the field spans decades, marked by incredible opportunities to lead and deliver award-winning projects. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Marie was nominated for the ACSE NSW Female Engineer of the Year in 2021.

Despite encountering challenges on her path, Marie finds the engineering profession to be one of the most fascinating and rewarding. Her belief in the world of possibilities extends to her role as a keen STEAM enthusiast. Through mentoring and speaking events, she actively supports creative engineers, inspiring them to reach their full potential.

As an Associate Director at SDA Structures, Marie O’Looney leads by example, creating a space for listening and the sharing of ideas. Marie co-authored a book ‘The Secrets of the Construction Industry’ in early 2024 and her chapter, Do Not Relinquish Your Ideas Too Soon, serves as a rallying call for professionals in the construction industry to nurture their creativity and persevere in the face of challenges and it’s a powerful reminder that every idea has the potential to reshape the future of engineering and construction.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Many paths, one destination: building a successful career & becoming an effective engineering leader

Nicky Pollington is a seasoned geoscience professional with over 25 years of experience in the industry. She has held various leadership positions at pitt&sherry, a leading engineering and environmental consultancy firm. Currently, she is the Executive General Manager, overseeing the operational performance of the company.

She has successfully delivered multi disciplinary projects in remote and challenging locations, both in Australia and internationally, demonstrating her adaptability, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Nicky's mission is to provide innovative and sustainable solutions for her clients and stakeholders, while fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture within her team and organization.

Session: Roundtable 5: Navigating how technology is shaping our projects and our roles

As the Head of Talent Acquisition and Community Software Engineering at Kogan.com, Anita develops and executes strategies to attract, recruit, and retain top software engineering talent. Collaborating closely with company leaders, she understands Kogan.com’s current and future talent needs, and takes lead in driving initiatives that support them.

One of her key focuses is to build an employer brand for the Kogan.com Engineering team within the tech community. She employs innovative and creative channels to showcase its strengths, attract top-notch talent, and establish Kogan.com as a sought-after destination for software engineers.

Community building is also another aspect of her role where she sharpens the sense of belonging and collaboration within the software engineering team. She leads programs which provide extensive opportunities for professional development, mentoring, and promotes continuous learning initiatives. By creating an environment that fosters growth and empowers individuals,she ensures that the software engineering team at Kogan.com thrives with the sharpest minds and the most cutting-edge skills.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: What can we learn from how different engineering disciplines solve their project management problems?

Sruthi Ramachandran is the Lead Engineer for Traffic Management Control Systems and Motorway Network Communication System at Acciona Australia and is experienced in supporting the project delivery of integrated systems such as IPCCTV, Incident Detection, Videowall, Access Control, Virtualised Environments, Data Network equipment and Structured Cabling systems through design and implementation, ensuring all deliverables meet required industry and project standards.

Focused and goal driven with a strong sense of work ethics, and continuously striving for business excellence and committed to offer quality work.

Session: Masterclass B:  Mastering project management for engineers – your essential toolkit for success

Eva Simak is a global force in empowering professional women to shatter barriers and embrace limitless, guilt-free success. With an unwavering commitment, Eva champions women across diverse roles, guiding them from department heads and CEOs to team managers and visionary entrepreneurs, as they forge the rewarding and balanced lives they desire.

Originating from a traditional Old World European backdrop, where life trajectories are often preordained, Eva defied cultural norms in the 90s to become an engineer in Australia. Her journey has since blossomed into a dynamic career as a distinguished project manager and consultant. Grounded in a robust foundation of chemical engineering spanning decades, Eva thrived within the male-dominated landscape. As a project manager, consultant, and adept team leader, she skillfully navigated projects, ensuring their triumph within rigorous schedules and budgets.

Eva's versatile expertise extends across diverse industries, from coal seam gas, natural gas, and oil refining to chemicals production and minerals processing. Guiding multifaceted teams throughout all project stages, from inception to operation, she embodies unwavering dedication.

With a profound understanding of resilience stemming from her role as a mother to extraordinary children with unique needs, Eva fosters an environment of inclusivity and equality. She values individuals for their accomplishments, amplifying her ethos.

An accomplished author, Eva penned "Limitless & Guilt-Free Success – For Successful Professional Women Who Want to Go To The Next Level Without Sacrificing Their Personal Lives." This work emboldens women to embrace bold choices, assertiveness, and unwavering self-worth, transcending guilt and subservience. Eva's words ignite readers to hurdle obstacles and nurture a resolute mindset.

Eva's fervor extends to raising awareness about unconscious bias against women in workplaces. Her commitment resonates with empowering women in their holistic journey towards success. She crafts strategies that invigorate women, fostering thriving coexistence with their male counterparts.

Having ascended through the ranks within Australia's largest industrial engineering firm, Eva embodies the essence of navigating male-dominated landscapes and harnessing success through challenges.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Many paths, one destination: building a successful career & becoming an effective engineering leader

Session: Roundtable 3: Finding, recruiting, hiring and retaining tomorrow’s engineering leaders

Taryn Stark is a seasoned engineering leader with a diverse background in software engineering and program management. Currently serving as Program Chief Engineer (Wakulda) at Boeing since April 2021, Taryn leads strategic initiatives in the Greater Brisbane Area, driving innovation and excellence in aerospace technology.

With over 7 years of experience at Boeing, Taryn previously held roles as Senior Software Engineer and Tech Lead at PhantomWorks, where she played a pivotal role in advancing cutting-edge technologies. Prior to Boeing, she honed her expertise as a Software Engineer at Precision Mining for over 5 years.

Taryn holds a proven track record of delivering complex projects and is known for her technical proficiency and leadership acumen. She is passionate about pushing the boundaries of technology and mentoring the next generation of engineers.

Session: Saving an engineering project in crisis

Gosia Suchorska is a professional civil engineer with over 20 years’ experience in the construction industry. Her expertise lies in project management, commercial, estimating, and high-risk civil works, gained in tunnelling, rail, bridge, and road infrastructure. Gosia's experience has been gained across may states of Australia and Internationally.

As a Project Director at Winslow Infrastructure, Gosia manages the delivery of major projects. She fosters a culture of high performance in safety and budget diligence and is passionate about continuous improvement and developing her team's capabilities.

A strong advocate for diversity and wellbeing, Gosia aims to increase the representation of women in the industry. She is committed to creating an inclusive work environment and believes that diversity improves decision-making and project outcomes. An effective leader, Gosia sets standards through her actions and strives for excellence in the construction sector.

Session: Putting your team & in your projects in the best position possible to succeed

Flavia Tata Nardini is one of the co-founders and the CEO of Fleet. Her real background is rocket science! Some of the more interesting projects she’s worked on include the development of several innovative micropropulsion systems for CubeSats, the qualification of an igniter for the Ariane 5, the design of space debris removal systems and the development of hypergolic green propellant. Being involved with these projects has not only provided her with invaluable experience, but has led to many rewarding achievements, including two patents and the opportunity to see the innovative systems she helped to develop flying on actual space missions.

Session: Navigating transformative tech trends reshaping engineering

Hema Wadhwa is athought leader, collaborator and an engineering specialist, with a demonstrated history of working and developing solutions in the energy industry. Develops long-term relationships and partnerships with various stakeholders, clients, service providers, and vendors to enable digital transformation to achieve win-win business outcomes for faster progress and significant cost savings while enhancing safety of operations. Have won several awards including WiTWA Tech [+] 20, Chief Executive Women STEM award 2021, best Technical Paper award. Strong engineering professional with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the Faculty of Engineering Mathematics and Computing at The University of Western Australia.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: What does the future of leadership in engineering look like?

Diana Zagora is a skilled transport professional with tertiary qualifications in Civil Engineering and Urban & Regional Planning, with over twenty years' experience in civil engineering, transport planning, stakeholder engagement, asset management, land use planning, safe systems, urban design, project and program management. She believes overarching strategic policy and planning is essential for 'doing the right projects' to align with business strategy. Understanding problem definition and the desired outcomes of projects is pivotal.

Her strength is in strategic thinking, communication and collaboration. She was selected for the Roads Australia Leadership Fellowship and relished the opportunity to enhance her leadership capability through the mentoring provided by this fellowship. She is an active member of the Sydney Committee for Engineers Australia and member of the Austroads Bridge Taskforce.