Individuality is our strength

Joining Downer 13 years ago, communication and engagement professional, Brandy Smith believes the sector’s landscape is moving in a positive direction for women, to become more inclusive in general. “I can pinpoint positive tangible changes I’ve seen as a female manager over the decade since I joined,” Brandy comments.

Brandy says, in her experience, project teams are still fairly ‘male-dominated’. “But there are definitely more women out on site, than when I started, which is great to see them in roles that have traditionally been held by men” and believes Downer is on track towards achieving a better balance around equality. 

Goal-driven Kumeroa White (‘Cooms’) describes the immense satisfaction she gains from her role, and the difference she makes to the local communities she works within across the Bay of Plenty.

With only four years of experience in infrastructure, Cooms says, “I don’t feel I am treated differently because I’m female. The perspective wahine brings on-site adds an alternate viewpoint to the project team – not better, just different. Women can be more empathetic and willing to listen or collaborate within a team.”

Cooms believes the support she received from leaders has directly contributed to her career progression: “Positive mentoring and coaching helped me navigate some challenging times. My managers’ have highlighted strengths in me that I had not recognised in myself. Downer helps people find their niche. It’s such a diverse sector – you can find your area to shine.”

After twenty years with Hawkins, Roimata says she’s passionate about encouraging and inspiring others into the sector. “We’re starting to balance the scales, see greater diversity in project teams and not just add women as a last resort. There are more women joining us across Downer... but we want more!”

Returning to work eight months after having her son, Roimata says with Hawkins support she was not disadvantaged when she returned to work as a single parent, “I was encouraged to pursue opportunities, and when Hawkins joined the Downer family, I received amazing professional development opportunities and support."

As a wahine leader of Ako Whakaruruhau, Hawkins Māori and Pasifika trades training and mentoring programme, Roimata currently mentors other wahine across Hawkins sub-contracting whanau. She says "I now want to manaaki (give back) and pass on what I have learnt.”

Preeyata (Preeya) joined Downer as a Graduate Engineer in 2019, working on a number of large projects such as the Christchurch Southern Motorway and Faleolo Airport Improvement in Samoa. Switching from the Transport to the Utilities team, she is now a Site Engineer in the Water Engineering Services Team.

Since her first rotation, she says “I have had great managers and peers who were always willing to provide their time and lend a listening ear whenever I faced unforeseeable challenges. Wāhine can face a lot of challenges working in a male-dominated industry, onsite as well as in the office and there wasn’t a platform for young female professionals to connect.”

Preeya is a founding member of WK and told us “it is important for me to support the current wāhine in the company, whether it be a cadet, graduate, site or senior engineer in progressing with development.

She continues “Through workshops, networking events and forums we provide a platform to help young females to overcome the daily challenges we all face.”

Eva began her career with Downer in Tauranga as a design and estimator, but is now based in Turitea helping with the build of a wind farm!

A member of WK, Eva says “Downer’s response to Wāhine Kotahitanga and continued support has been trail-blazing and a step in the right direction for all construction companies. It’s important we acknowledge gaps in our industry to move forward and WK has allowed women across the business to learn how to stand in the gap through workshops and events such as Courageous Conversation, networking, and hearing from senior Wāhine inside the Downer business.

I am a member of Wāhine Kotahitanga because put simply, I want to come to work and do my job as an engineer without the awkward and uncomfortable situations women are often subjected to. I truly believe that Wāhine Kotahitanga will make a lasting change in the construction industry so everyone feels comfortable coming to work.”

Roma joined Downer in 2019 as a Graduate Engineer and has rotated into many business units, working on various projects ranging from Windfarms to Rail.

When asked why she decided to join the Wāhine Kotahitanga community, she said “I am passionate about diversity and empowering young professionals in our industry. This group consists of very inspiring young professionals who are keen to support the incoming Wāhine of Downer.”