Engineers Ireland Amplified

Engineering culture remains trapped in outdated norms, risking the mental health and retention of top talent. Relying on diversity metrics alone fails to solve the underlying problem of workplace culture. True success requires moving beyond surface-level attraction to fostering genuine inclusion and psychological safety. This shift is not just an ethical imperative; it is essential for team performance, innovation, and industry wellbeing. Joining us to dissect how firms can build these inclusive cultures are ESB civil engineer Tymora Freeman-Stannett and OutEngineered representative Poggy Murray Whitham. They share practical insights on how to transition from empty policies to meaningful everyday changes that ensure every professional feels seen, heard, and valued. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Why traditional lad culture alienates LGBTQ+ professionals Distinguishing tokenistic diversity from genuine inclusion Connecting psychological safety to industry mental health Real world impact of external political pressures on DEI Simple everyday actions for effective allyship GUESTS DETAILS Tymora Freeman-Stannett Tymora Freeman-Stannett is a civil engineer at ESB, where she actively manages the construction of utility-scale solar farms powering Ireland's green transition. Throughout her career, Tymora has been out and proud, serving as an active advocate within ESB’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group. Outside of hard hats and site plans, she is the Chair of the Irish Games Association, championing safe, inclusive, and accessible community spaces. Connect with Tymora : linkedin.com/in/tymora-freeman-stannett Poggy Murray Whitham Poggy Murray Whitham is a prominent member and representative of OutEngineered, an organisation dedicated to connecting, supporting, and elevating LGBTQ+ professionals and allies across the engineering and tech sectors. Poggy's work centers on breaking down systemic industry barriers, driving corporate representation, and building active networks that ensure engineering offices and physical construction sites alike are welcoming environments for all. Connect with Poggy: linkedin.com/in/poggy-murray-whitham LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/munya-bakasa (Senior Engineer, PUNCH Consulting Engineers) MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/ Engineers Journal Amplified is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES Diversity without inclusion just leads to tokenism. Inclusion breeds diversity. - Poggy Murray Whitham You feel like you've come into a truth as opposed to a facade. - Tymora Freeman-Stannett Inclusion is making sure that all of those people are heard, are seen, and genuinely have a voice within the organisation. - Poggy Murray Whitham Part of allyship is opening your mind to that. You can ask the questions, but understand someone might not be prepared to give you the answer. So you have to do the work yourself. - Tymora Freeman-Stannett KEYWORDS: #LGBTQinEngineering#InclusiveEngineering#EngineeringCulture#Allyship#EngineeringWellbeing

Professional engineers often face the constraint of being pigeonholed into specific roles based on demographic factors, yet the most successful teams are those that dismantle these barriers. When engineering is embraced as a truly gender-neutral career, it unlocks a powerful diversity of thought that drives innovation and superior project outcomes. Engineering problem solving requires a blend of scientific rigour and creative thinking to deliver impactful results. We explore how to break free from professional boxes, manage complex large-scale infrastructure projects, and incorporate social value into procurement. Joining us is Gemma McCarthy, Vice President of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland and Regional Director at Mott MacDonald. Gemma shares her expertise on leading multidisciplinary teams and offers a fresh perspective on how inclusive, gender-neutral leadership paves the way for a more successful and dynamic engineering profession. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Solving the Celtic Interconnector challenge Engineering as a creative discipline Managing large infrastructure budgets Implementing social value in procurement The future generation of engineers GUEST DETAILS Gemma McCarthy is the Vice President of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland and a Regional Director at Mott MacDonald. She combines high-level technical direction with strategic leadership in the Irish engineering sector. Gemma is a strong advocate for diverse representation, leveraging her experience to drive professional development and infrastructure solutions for society. She has spent 15 years with Mott MacDonald overseeing major regional operations. Connect with Gemma: Website: https://www.acei.ie Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-mccarthy-5681a717/ MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/ Engineers Ireland Amplified is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES I used to rail against the, are you creative, are you scientific? Engineering is very much the crossover of the two. - Gemma McCarthy At the end of the day, we're problem solvers. - Gemma McCarthy We are only as good as the currency of our own skills at the moment. - Gemma McCarthy KEYWORDS #ProjectManagement #EngineeringTips #InfrastructureProjects #TechnicalLeadership #SystemDesign

Talented engineers often fear that moving abroad means sacrificing hard-earned professional momentum. This mindset overlooks the reality that an engineering qualification is a borderless passport for innovation and personal growth. In this episode of our Global Engineers mini-series, we explore how top international talent selects Ireland as their professional base, bringing fresh perspectives that drive the industry forward. We discuss how firms successfully integrate these new approaches, the cultural nuances of Irish engineering, and the actionable advice that will empower you to build a thriving career overseas. Our guests are Munya Bakasa, a South African senior structural engineer spearheading major consulting projects, and Krystyna Dimtchev, a Polish project manager and chair of the Women in Engineering Society. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Choosing to base careers in Ireland Challenges of technical language barriers Irish culture of collaboration and trust Managing complex structural engineering projects Advice for engineers moving abroad GUESTS DETAILS Krystyna Dimtchev is an Associate Programme Manager at Arcadis and the current Chair of the Engineers Ireland Women in Engineering Society. Originally from Poland, she is an IPMA Certified Senior Project Manager with extensive experience in environmental engineering and building services. She is a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion, and mentoring the next generation of engineers. Connect with Krystyna : LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/krystyna-dimtchev (Associate Programme Manager, Arcadis & Chair of the Women in Engineering Society) Munya Bakasa is a Senior Engineer at PUNCH Consulting Engineers. Originally from South Africa, he is a key lead on major infrastructural developments. He brings structural and civil engineering expertise to the Irish market and is a strong advocate for active travel infrastructure. Connect with Munya: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/munya-bakasa (Senior Engineer, PUNCH Consulting Engineers) MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/ Engineers Journal Amplified is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES One of the biggest differences I have experienced in Ireland is the emphasis on the collaboration of openness and trust. - Krystyna Dimtchev You strike a better work-life balance in the local environment, as opposed to back home. - Munya Bakasa I've learned from them, it's not if you have the book, you have the equations, you have the calculations, but just to understand makes you a true engineer. - Krystyna Dimtchev Your perspective, both professionally and personally, is broadened beyond what you expect. - Munya Bakasa KEYWORDS: #GlobalEngineering #IrishCareer #EngineeringAbroad #CareerGrowth #InternationalEngineer

Ireland's energy transition demands a new calibre of engineering leadership and talent to secure its critical infrastructure for the future. The challenge is not just technical; it is about cultivating a culture of safety, innovation, and diverse perspectives across the sector. This episode explores the pivotal role of engineers in making high-stakes decisions, transforming safety from a rule to a core value, and addressing the persistent gender imbalance in the industry. Learn how a varied background and holistic thinking are key to solving the complex problems of tomorrow, from power generation to the energy demands of artificial intelligence. Joining us is Majella Henchion, Technical Capability Manager at ESB, a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland. Majella shares her three decades of experience, transitioning from managing iconic sites like Turlough Hill to leading the strategic recruitment of the next generation of engineers. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Overcoming professional imposter syndrome. Managing high-risk power plant operations. Making safety a deeply human value. Why engineering needs more women. Developing future holistic engineering talent. GUEST DETAILS Majella Henchion is the Technical Capability Manager at ESB, responsible for ensuring the utility possesses the personnel required to drive the energy transition. A Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland, her career spans three decades in pivotal leadership roles. Her key achievements include managing the Turlough Hill pumped storage station and leading critical safety assurance programmes. Connect with Majella: Website: https://www.esb.ie Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majellahenchion/?originalSubdomain=ie MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/ Engineers Ireland Amplified is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland. QUOTES Imposter syndrome comes back every time you take on a new challenge, and what I began to realise was I liked that challenge. – Majella Henchion If you can put that trust in people, they will repay you double fold. – Majella Henchion We need our engineers to be more holistic in their thinking. – Majella Henchion KEYWORDS #ElectricalEngineering #BehaviouralSafety #EnergyTransition #GenderDiversity #HolisticProblemSolving

Many talented engineers hesitate to move abroad, fearing they will lose career momentum and disconnect from the vibrant Irish engineering community. However, an Irish engineering degree is in fact a global passport, opening doors to innovation on an international scale while maintaining strong Irish roots. This special mini-series explores how Irish engineers successfully navigate international markets, secure funding, overcome the fear of failure, and leverage their qualifications to build thriving careers overseas. They also discuss how the Irish engineering community supports them abroad. Joining the conversation is Joseph Mooney, a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree at the forefront of US energy research, and Sinéad Conneely, a Structural Director and Engineers Ireland Chartered Engineer of the Year finalist. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Choosing to leave Ireland and where Irish engineering qualifications are valued globally Why Irish engineers are natural risk-takers Funding differences between US and Ireland Practical advice for moving abroad earlier GUESTS DETAILS Joseph Mooney is the Co-Founder of WattAir and a Research Engineer at the Georgia Institute of Technology, recently named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Energy. Connect with Joseph: linkedin.com/in/josephpmooney Sinéad Conneely is a Director and Structural Engineer at Simple Works in London, a finalist for the Engineers Ireland Chartered Engineer of the Year, and a leader in the UK construction industry. Connect with Sinéad: linkedin.com/in/sinéad-conneely-9b847139 MORE INFORMATION Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/ Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.