Welcome – A Week of Connection and Collaboration

This week has been filled with important conversations and exciting developments. At EqualEngineers, we’ve been working with the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) to develop a tailored EDI strategy, running four global focus groups to ensure diverse perspectives shape their approach. Alongside this, we hosted an inspiring International Women’s Day webinar, featuring powerful voices from our female network co-chairs, with great engagement from attendees.

On a personal note, I had the chance to catch up with Jennifer Brown in Manhattan—a brilliant thought leader and great friend. It was a refreshing conversation, and I was finally able to give her a signed copy of The SAFE Leader. These moments remind me why strong connections and shared values matter in today’s world.

Stay SAFE!

Breaking Barriers and Taking Risks in Engineering

This week on The SAFE Leader Podcast, I am joined by Dame Dawn Childs, an engineer whose career has spanned some of the most complex and high-stakes environments, from the Royal Air Force to Gatwick Airport, Merlin Entertainments, and National Grid. Now leading Pure Data Centres Group, she is at the forefront of building sustainable hyperscale data centres, a critical area in today’s digital world.

Beyond her technical expertise, Dame Dawn Childs is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in engineering, having served as President of the Women's Engineering Society and a long-time trustee of multiple organisations dedicated to promoting women in STEM. In our conversation, she shares insights on how engineers are uniquely positioned to tackle global challenges and why it’s essential to showcase the stories of pioneering women engineers to inspire the next generation.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in engineering leadership, inclusion, and the future of sustainable infrastructure.

International Women’s Day Webinar

On Wednesday, 12th March, EqualEngineers hosted a special International Women’s Day webinar, where we explored this year’s theme: For ALL Women and Girls – Rights. Equality. Empowerment. The event featured our female network co-chairs as speakers, each sharing their experiences, insights, and perspectives on navigating leadership, breaking barriers, and driving systemic change.

The discussion was engaging, interactive, and well-attended, with fantastic participation from attendees who contributed their own reflections and questions. The webinar was a great reminder that creating an equitable future requires collective effort, and having such powerful role models leading the conversation is invaluable.

ASME’s Women's Leadership Workshop in Washington

Next week, I’ll be heading to Washington, DC, to attend ASME’s inaugural Women’s Leadership Workshop. This event, taking place on Thursday, March 20, will focus on leadership development, mentorship, and career growth for women in engineering—a critical conversation as we continue to push for greater diversity and inclusion across the industry.

The workshop is part of ASME Foundation’s Reinventing the Future initiative, which celebrates trailblazing engineers and supports early-career professionals in education, innovation, and leadership development. It’s an incredible opportunity to engage with leaders and changemakers who are actively shaping the future of engineering.

I’m looking forward to taking part in these important discussions and connecting with professionals who are driving meaningful change in leadership and workplace culture. If you’re attending, let’s connect!

Catching Up with Jennifer Brown

This week, I had the pleasure of catching up with Jennifer Brown, a brilliant thought leader, speaker, and DEI expert. We spent time chatting over snacks in Manhattan, catching up on all things leadership, inclusion, and navigating today’s world. With so much polarity and tension going on, it was refreshing to connect with someone who shares a vision for a more inclusive and equitable future.

One of the highlights was finally being able to give her a signed and dedicated copy of my book, The SAFE Leader. It’s always great to share my work with people I deeply respect, and Jennifer’s insights and perspective are always energising and inspiring. Time flew by—three hours passed in what felt like minutes—but I left feeling rejuvenated and excited for what’s ahead.

Let’s connect

Please reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn if we are not already connected.

I love helping organisations where the angle I take with the work I do might help in someway have you make traction in your culture.

Feel free to get in touch here.

Stay SAFE!