I was honoured with this year’s Presidential Award by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering at the SAICE Presidential Inauguration last night, for my work in advancing the organisation’s efforts in diversity and inclusion.
I have been in this industry for a relatively short time and in my short time; I realised that we all ought to do more to make the industry more diverse and inclusive. And so a few years ago, I set out to make a difference. To be the change I wished to see in the world. And I believe in rallying people towards this purpose.
And so I have poured passion into it. This is why I founded a non-profit organisation for women in engineering SHEngineers and the reason I serve in the institution’s diversity and inclusion panel as well as the education and training committee amongst others and also the reason I mentor so many women in engineering & project management.
Although we are not where we should be as an industry and there’s still so much that remains to be done if we are to change the narrative. But I believe with support, willingness, guidance and leadership; we can achieve so much more. We can shift the needle.
I wish to thank our now immediate past President Vishal Krishandutt for driving diversity & inclusion as part of your presidential term; the CEO Vishaal Lutchman for encouraging me to be involved in SAICE & the support. I wish to thank the unwavering support of the executive board and my many colleagues at SAICE including Tom McKuneNthabeleng LentsoaneMichael MhlangaTsebo Koena and many others; I thank the volunteers of the diversity and inclusivity panel who are passionate about making a difference & challenging the status quo. I also wish to thank Hatch for encouraging me to inspire positive change.
And to our President Prof Marianne Vanderschuren, I wish you all the best in this new journey and I look forward to continuing working with you on various initiatives as we continue to move SAICE.
#presidentialaward #SAICE #womeninengineering #positivechange
