What does it take to lead with vision in industries where innovation and resilience are non-negotiable?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Gretchen Gagel. Internationally recognised executive, author, and thought leader in leadership and infrastructure, to explore how she helps organisations navigate change, empower teams, and build sustainable futures. Gretchen shares candid insights from her career at the intersection of engineering, business, and leadership, along with the bold strategies that have made her a sought-after advisor across the globe.

If you’re ready to rethink what strong, effective leadership looks like in today’s world, this conversation with Gretchen is not to be missed.

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Join us on episode 45 as we chat with Steve, a water business leader at Arup, who shares his journey in engineering. Despite his impressive career, Steve shares that he has also had moments of feeling like he didn't belong in the industry and how he eventually found his place.

From his rural roots to advocating for diversity among First Nations people, improving sanitation for women, and many other impressive philanthropic projects, Steve's story is all about breaking barriers and using engineering to create a better world, one project at a time.

Steve's story inspires how to stand for something that makes space for everyone and improves the lives of those who need it - hear from someone who actually works hard to make a difference. 

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In this episode, we sit down with Sascha Kurz, Queensland's Engineer of the Year 2024. Her journey shares the road from an engineer to successful consultancy owner. Sascha she built her company IPS Consulting on the values of balancing technical expertise with strong leadership and soft skills, a shift she recommends the whole industry should think about. She shares how true innovation and success in companies comes from fostering a supportive and inclusive company culture. She gives tools on how to achieve not just gender, but cultural diversity, which has played a key role in shaping her business, with over 40% of her team being women and people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

She also dives into her experience as a woman, mother and entrepreneur navigating the engineering industry and what it truly takes to build a business from the ground up. With other great topics such as what leadership styles work, this episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone looking to grow their career or start their own business.

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Laura and Sohan sit down with Annalie Howling, a renowned coach and trauma specialist who has helped celebrities and high performing athletes overcome barriers like shame.

Annalie opens up about her journey through trauma, navigating a high pressure corporate world, and ultimately making the bold decision to leave such a toxic environment. She shares how she returned to herself - healing her mind and body and eventually leading her to pivot into the transformative work she does today as a performance coach.

In this episode, Annalie unpacks the concept of trauma, introduces the five unspoken trauma responses - two of which you might not have heard before - and discusses her new book, Unapologetic: Unshackle Your Shame, Reclaim Your Power.

This episode is a powerful invitation to break free from your own shackles with Annalie's insights as your guide. We hope you enjoy this coaching session as much as we did recording it!

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We’re excited to return with an enlightening episode featuring David, an executive engineer with over 25 years of experience in leadership roles, primarily in the natural resource sector. David has seen it all, from the shop floor to the C-suite, and he’s dedicated to transforming technically skilled individuals into effective leaders. It is well discussed that employees need to be exceptional to progress, but the understated elephant in the room is that mediocre leadership can burnout even the best team-members. 

In this episode we discuss how we have created more diverse teams in the workforce, but have not equipped our leaders to understand the influence of culture and background on team behaviours, and the opportunities and challenges relating to diversity. David also gives great insights on how to empower leaders to drive meaningful change in their organisations. David is an expert in the field, helping countless professional becoming exceptional leaders through 1:1 coaching, group sessions and workshops about design, facilitation, strategy, focus and many other topics! He believes that exceptional leadership is crucial for overcoming the rising challenges within the workforce and is passionate about fostering an inclusive and innovative workplace.

If you're passionate about becoming an exceptional leader, or think that we can do innovation and diversity in a more effective way, then you need to give this one a listen! We’d love to hear your thoughts on the conversation.

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In this episode, Lau and Sohan chat with Darren Flynn, an engineer on a mission to be more entrepreneurial. Darren's journey began in the trenches, working with pipes, pumps, and concrete, and has spanned over $2B of water infrastructure projects in Australia and Vietnam.

Darren employs value engineering, innovative ideas, design thinking, and his vast experience to deliver optimal outcomes for clients and projects. Now, he aims to give back and mentor the next generation of engineers, emphasising the need for engineers to be leaders who shape the future.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Darren's insights are invaluable for both newcomers to the industry and seasoned professionals. Tune in now!

Would like to connect with Darren ? Darren Flynn - LinkedIn

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Laura and Sohan embark on a mindfulness journey led by former engineer-turned mindfulness coach Roberta Brosco. Roberta talks about her journey within construction, how she embarked on a journey to become a mindful leader to deal with workplace stresses. She then used these tools to create mindfulness coaching for women across the globe to help them elevate their careers, become present leaders and lead from the heart. A meditative experience, Roberta’s mentorship is sure to help upcoming and present leaders.

Roberta is launching her Doors to Conscious Confidence Academy, which will open tomorrow 9th of July, link is: Academy Link ✨

The You Don't Look Like an Engineer Podcast is proudly supported by Design & Build Recruitment

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Laura and Sohan sit with the Roads Australia PPP award winner of 2023, Fiona McDonald from New South Wales. Fiona is a Senior Manager of Industry Affairs and Partnerships, who shares her experience in leading innovation in the industry, working with senior leadership teams and even championing for diversity and inclusion - a passion that arises from her own personal experiences. Fiona's valuable lessons on understanding the incremental changes that lead to path breaking innovation are a great lesson for young professionals in the industry. The discussion talks about how getting recognition can impact careers, and many more topics that you simply don't want to miss. Yo can also check out her report "Innovation: an Emerging Leaders Perspective" link:

https://roads.org.au/innovation-an-emerging-leaders-perspective/

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In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Josh Yates, a multifaceted individual serving as the co-director of Landy Advisory, the director of the Tweed Seagulls Rugby League Football Club, and the vice president of the Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce. 

Josh candidly shares the challenges he faced at the outset of his journey in the infrastructure sector. Despite lacking a technical engineering background, he reveals how he navigated these obstacles with determination and resilience and became a visionary executive in business strategy.

Josh delves into the pivotal moment when he embarked on his entrepreneurial endeavor, founding his first advisory consultancy and assembling a talented team of ten individuals. Join us as we explore how Josh's background in sports influences his distinctive leadership style, offering valuable insights into his approach to team dynamics.

The You Don't Look Like an Engineer Podcast is proudly supported by Design & Build Recruitment

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Join Laura and Sohan in their interview with Rhianna Di Trapani, the civil construction professional turned director of her very own company - Virtual Civil Consulting! From juggling two degrees and two part-time jobs to managing 20-million dollar projects in the construction industry - Rhianna is an inspiration for young women in STEM wanting to reach the stars.

At just 15 years old, Rhianna moved from Dubai to Australia and embraced new cultures. In this episode, Rhianna uncovers the keys to building a healthy relationship with change, growing through learning, and taking courageous leaps in both work and life. You don’t want to miss this one.

The You Don't Look Like an Engineer Podcast is proudly supported by Design & Build Recruitment

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In this episode, Sohan and Lau sit down with Vanessa, a transportation engineer reshaping the face of Civil Engineering. Vanessa shares her passion for engineering and social media, discussing the importance of inspiring young professionals by highlighting engineers' role in shaping city infrastructure. She opens up about challenges in her career and the mindset that helped her overcome them, ultimately becoming the engineer she aspired to be. Vanessa's story is one of forging her path without traditional role models, and her journey promises an inspiring conversation. Join us for this insightful discussion.

The You Don't Look Like an Engineer Podcast is proudly supported by Design & Build Recruitment

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Join Sohan and Laura as they interview Miranda Swift, a rising star in engineering. Discover how she kickstarted her career in high school, evolving from a part-time worker to a cadet civil engineer. Miranda's passion for enhancing STEM opportunities for rural girls is palpable as she discusses her initiatives to boost their job prospects and education. Learn about her groundbreaking project, 'Hustle,' aimed at mentoring aspiring engineers, and her accolades including the 2022 NAWIC University Student of the Year. With a focus on advocating for women in STEM, Miranda's insights offer a refreshing perspective on industry challenges and mindset improvements. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with this remarkable young talent!

The You Don't Look Like an Engineer Podcast is proudly supported by Design & Build Recruitment

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In this episode, Lau and Sohan host Angela Hucker, CEO of EPIC. Angela shares experiences from her career, spanning two decades in male-dominated industries. She talks about learning to rise to the occasion, how you can jump into a new role and learn to fit into it. She talks about the changes the industry has been through, in recognising female talent and fostering better, more inclusive cultures. Angela talks about how recognising biases was difficult in her earlier career, when it was hard to understand that certain behaviour was warranted to gender stereotypes. 

A badass in her own field, Angela has a remarkable portfolio including multimillion dollar projects in oil, gas and infrastructure, and even a spotlight on US TV Show “Mega Structures”. The conversation explores the importance of fostering an open mindset in the construction industry and delves into the challenges of FIFO work. She shares about her latest venture EPIC, which seeks to empower those in construction.

Join us for this episode to hear Angela's practical career insights and genuine take on gender quotas and their impact on the industry.

The You Don't Look Like an Engineer Podcast is proudly supported by Design & Build Recruitment

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In Episode 33, Sohan and Laura are joined by Akshaye Shewale, the visionary owner of Mebumi. Mebumi is at the forefront of the future, revolutionising the outsourcing of engineering from India, the world's largest producer of engineers.

In this episode, we delve into the art of mustering the courage to pursue your dreams, maximising the potential of the resources at your disposal, and breaking free from the fear of judgment that often impedes our progress. Join us to discover an inspiring narrative about how a global pandemic can serve as a catalyst for new business endeavors and foster stronger personal connections with family and friends.

If you find yourself grappling with the challenge of taking that monumental leap forward, this one's tailor-made for you. Tune in for a compelling journey that promises motivation, insights, and a fresh perspective on overcoming obstacles. Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your aspirations into reality!

The You Don't Look Like an Engineer Podcast is proudly supported by Design & Build Recruitment

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Join Laura and Sohan as they unravel the extraordinary engineering journey of Daniel Lambert, an Entrepreneur, Innovator, and Humanitarian engineer specialising in Water, Energy, and Resources.

This episode delves into the diverse skills essential to engineering, which challenge the misconception that STEM is solely mathematical. Daniel shares valuable insights on work-life balance and aligning work with purpose, providing a glimpse into his impactful contributions to water resources.

Tune in to explore the dynamic world of engineering and discover how to recalibrate your professional compass for a more purposeful journey.

Thank you to our sponsors, Design & Build Recruitment ⚡️

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In the latest episode of the You Don't Look Like an Engineer podcast, Sohan and Laura get into the nitty and gritty with Marzena Bilicka. A civil engineer from Poland, with experience in England and Australia for the past 14 years, Marzena is an experienced engineer, a mother of two and passionate about art. She shares her invaluable experiences on how to know your worth, not take bullshit, voice your opinions, better develop as a young engineer and what they don't tell you about coming back from maternity leave. You don't want to miss this one. ,

Check out her amazing nursery artwork through the link below. We all agree that art is her second calling! White Fox Tribe

Thank you to our sponsors, Design & Build Recruitment ⚡️

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Join Laura and Sohan as they delve into the hidden challenges women encounter in leadership roles – a discussion centered around the glass cliff phenomenon. This phenomenon unfolds when women step into leadership roles amidst precarious situations, significantly impacting their leadership journeys and career progression.

Tune in to unravel the complexities of the glass cliff, understand its implications, and discover proactive steps to prevent its occurrence.

Don't miss this insightful episode that navigates the path towards breaking barriers in women's leadership.

Thank you to our sponsors, Design & Build Recruitment ⚡️

Want to learn more about the Engineers Australia Excellence awards? Click here!

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To celebrate their 30th Episode, Lau and Sohan sit down with Andrew McGregor - the male ally who has supported the You don't Look Like an Engineer Podcast since its inception. 

Andrew is the Managing Director for Design & Build and has been in the recruitment industry for 17 years. In this episode, Andrew shares his insights into some of the most critical challenges the construction and engineering industry face at the moment - poor leadership, talent attraction and retention. 

This casual conversation shares the wisdom of a professional who is passionate about diversity, inclusion and creating an environment of trust at the workplace. 

Tune in to enjoy an insightful conversation, regardless of what industry you are part of, you would benefit from listening to this.

Want to reach out to Andy or anyone on the Design & Build team ? click here ⚡️

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Almost 82% of jobs these days are sedentary in nature, while humans are built for the opposite. On of the unspoken challenges about desk jobs are maintaining movement in your routine, which balances your mental and physical self to bring your best to work. Laura and Sohan team up with Erika Gomez for another chat, this time, focusing on the importance of habits, bringing in playfulness in your routines and their own personal journeys in the world of fitness. Join in on the conversation of how to make the most of your movement, while you’re mostly seated.

Thank you to our sponsors, Design & Build Recruitment ⚡️

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Teeshal Bal is a rail engineer with a passion for financial freedom that led her to a range of experiences outside of the engineering industry. She currently works with Metro Trains Melbourne and has delivered to date, $5 billion worth of successful infrastructure in Australia to date. She has built two start-ups that have become more than $1 million businesses in their first year alone. Teeshal is the 2022 NAWIC Emerging Leader Award winner, runs a not-for-profit called Grit Leadership, and has also co-authored a book titled 'Undefeated' - which compiles the stories of 90 immigrant women overcoming their journey to become! Listen to this powerhouse express how she defines success, what drives her to push for a better future for women in leadership and has developed VR to help workplaces tackle discrimination.

Check out Teeshal's NFP Grit Leadership, which uses VR to help leaders develop empathy by experiencing discrimination!


Thank you to our sponsors, Design & Build Recruitment ⚡️

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