Women in Engineering

Master the tools to propel your engine
Day One 15 March 2017
2017 Theme: ‘Igniting Inspiration and
Innovation’
The field of engineering is particularly challenging and to excel as a leader
you must find the inspiration within to charge ahead and overcome
obstacles. But how do you ignite that inner inspiration, and how do you
unleash the innovation that will carry your organisation and your career
into the future? With insights and advice from some of New Zealand’s
most influential and inspirational engineering leaders, you can design the
best plan to really launch your leadership journey.
8.30 - 8.55 Registration and Morning Coffee
8.55 - 9.00 Official Welcome and Opening Remarks from
the Chair
9.00 - 9.40 OPENING KEYNOTE CASE STUDY
Pursuing your own path to an impossible dream
Engineering can be one of the toughest fields to pursue
a career in, requiring insatiable curiosity and passion.
Dr Michelle Dickinson MNZM, aka ‘Nanogirl,’ has had a
phenomenal success story, now running the country’s
only nanomechanical testing lab, where she lives her
dream to combine the science of superheroes and science
fiction. The recipient of several awards for her scientific
contributions, Michelle will share her incredible journey,
weaving together all the combined elements needed to
reach her dream. She will discuss:
• Drawing on childhood passions to source joy in your job
• Swimming upstream to cut your own path to success
• Believing in the impossible and applying action to your
dreams
Dr Michelle Dickinson MNZM
Senior Lecturer, Materials Engineering, University of
Auckland
Director, Nanogirl Labs Ltd
9.40 - 9.50 Questions and Discussion
9.50 - 10.30 CASE STUDY
Battling fear to fuel success - Growing your inner
strength
A strong leader must act with boldness, grit and
fearlessness to face the unknown and lead their staff
through challenges. Best-selling author and 2014 New
Zealander of the Year, Dr Mary P. Quin, truly embodies this
concept. She began her career in engineering at a time
when less than 3% of engineers were women, has gone on
to senior management in several successful NASDAQ-listed
companies and survived a terrorist kidnapping incident in
Yemen. Drawing on her own experiences, she will explore
the key skills necessary to lead fearlessly in the field of
engineering and in engineering driven business, including:
• Embracing failure as a means to grow as a leader
• Leading with honesty and authenticity through times of
uncertainty
• Overcoming fear by focusing on tangible, actionable
solutions
Dr Mary P. Quin
Professional Director, Speaker and Business
Consultant
Former Chief Executive, Callaghan Innovation
10.30 - 10.40 Questions and Discussion
10.40 - 10.55 Morning Tea
10.55 - 11.35 CASE STUDY
From technical expert to leader - Making the
transition to management
Transitioning from a technical role to management can
be daunting for any engineer as you need far more than
technical competence alone to be a successful leader. In
this session Sarah draws on her remarkable career, her
experience and expertise as Chief Engineer for Auckland
Council, and explores strategies to acquire and develop the
skills to transform your technical competence into business
success. She will discuss:
• Recognising the value of senior management and board
level leadership in engineering
• Shifting leadership framing from problem solving to
strategy
• Understanding your advantages as a female leader to
overcome common challenges
Sarah Sinclair Chief Engineer
Auckland Council
11.35 - 11.45 Questions and Discussion
11.45 - 12.25 EXPERT COMMENTARY
Inspiring greatness in yourself and your work
Aside from the technical requirements, often times the
innovation needed to lead engineering projects demands a
heightened level of creativity. Leaders who feel inspired in the
workplace find that inspiration can act as a springboard for
their creative forces. But how do you source the inspiration to
drive your innovation? Julie will explore methods to ignite this
invaluable tool, discussing:
• Establishing a vision and mission to motivate
• Seeking inspiration from other leaders and role models
• Challenging the status quo to enable creativity
Julie Sim Strengths Based Development Coach
Julie Sim Limited
12.25 - 12.35 Questions and Discussion
12.35 - 1.35 Networking Lunch
1.35 - 2.25 INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSION
Overcoming everyday challenges on the path to
leadership
The ability to cope with the often high demands of the
industry is paramount to a leader’s progress. Despite the
shared challenges, obstacles and opportunities, an aspiring
leader’s experience of these demands can vary greatly at
different points in their careers. This interactive panel of
experts at different career stages will discuss the common
challenges faced by women in the industry and discuss
potential strategies and solutions. They will explore:
• Determining your biggest challenges and creating a plan of
action
• Finding a helpful support system inside and outside the
office
• Establishing a healthy work/life balance to promote
resiliency
Kevin Small General Manager Grid Projects and
Customer, Stakeholder and Environment (CSE)
Transpower
Ian MacLeod Head of Engineering
Babcock International Group
Dr Thahirah Jalal Asset Intelligence Manager and EEA
Young Engineer of the Year
Unison Networks Limited
PLUS TWO WORKSHOPS!
Plus Two Separately Bookable Full-Day
Workshops on 14 & 17 March 2017