Sarah is an approachable and energetic professional with a passion for building collaborative relationships and driving innovation. With a talent for uncovering market needs and solving business challenges, she thrives on bringing people together to create practical, sustainable solutions. Recently, she has focused on the water sector-particularly wastewater—developing new business streams to address pressing issues. A lifelong advocate for teamwork, whether in engineering workshops or on the rugby pitch, Sarah brings curiosity, vision, and enthusiasm to everything she does.
 

1. Sarah, with over two decades of experience, what changes have you seen in how women are represented and supported in the pipeline and engineering sectors?

When I began my career back in 1995, I worked at WS Atkins (now AtkinsRealis) in their Water, Science and Technology, and Geotechnical Divisions in the UK.  I remember that there were fewer older female engineers, but they had employed a number of younger women, some from the UK and some from overseas.  It appeared that there were more women working in environmental science and geology than in mining for instance.  I don’t remember there being many female mentors, and I think that this has now changed: my peers provide a strong network of mentorship to younger women and men coming through the STEM pathway.  I’m also aware of younger women confidently providing cross-generational support to career development programmes through Institutes and membership organisations.
 

2. Can you share a personal story or moment in your career when you faced a gender-related challenge — and how you overcame it?

You get to 53 and there are many, especially as my specialism is neither technical nor engineering!  My talents and specialist experience are in general centred in soft skills, backed by an understanding of how the application of good technology can significantly support the sector.  As a woman in engineering I’ve often not had the same respect given to my specialist knowledge in innovation and business development - back in the 90s we were referred to as “Booth Bunnies”!  How have I overcome this?  I think there are a number of ways.  One is my curiosity.  I ask questions, listen, and learn.  The second is integrity.  I don’t pretend to know things, but I do own my intellect and emotional intelligence.  Lastly, I gain excellent support from the networks around me, of all genders.  These have given me a solid foundation to challenge misogyny with strength and also kindness.
 

3. At ptc’s “Global Women in Pipeline” panel, you discussed actionable solutions for gender inclusion. What message from that session resonated with you the most, and why?

Allowing people to manage their time and productivity in a way that allows them to be successful is key, whatever gender they are.  At Klarian we work with full flexibility, and it was interesting to hear from other panelists how larger companies find that harder to balance.  What really resonated with me, however, was that we were not talking about all genders in their fullest sense.  I advocate the benefits of diversity of thought and we limited ourselves by not recognising LGBTQ+ people.
 

4. What unique challenges do women still face in commercial and technical leadership roles within the pipeline industry today?

A very good friend of mine is a senior technical leader in the sector.  One of her challenges is that she is often the only woman in the room at a technical leadership level.  Making a female voice heard in that environment is sometimes not easy!
 

5. What personal habit, mindset, or strategy has helped you grow professionally, especially in environments where women are underrepresented?

Remembering that I represent my peers as well as myself, and that I owe younger generations the example that I needed.  I guess you could call it paying it forward from the women who were my inspiration.  In terms of a personal habit, my daughter is particularly good at reminding me that I’m in my job because of the skills that I have: she gave me a Swiftie bracelet which I wear all the time, and which reminds me of what she sees. 
 

6. What is your message to young women aspiring to join the pipeline or energy sectors — and how can industry leaders truly support the next generation?

The pipeline sector is not just about engineering.  There are so many professional roles across the business, engineering and technology spectrums.  Find what you enjoy, and get the skills to do it well.  Then work with other people who have the same approach.  Industry leaders should listen to other generations, both older and younger.  Once again, diversity of thought!  Find out what challenges and inspires people, and put in place what allows them to be their best.  Provide mentors, training and real professional development where they can see a pathway to career growth.