Event Overview

Whilst the engineering community encourages women to join the engineering workforce, the fact remains that the national average of women engineers is still as low as 13%. Aiming to inspire tomorrow’s female engineers, the RTSA and WIE will engage with female speakers pursuing careers in rail for a thought-provoking panel session.

After the initial introductions, the chair will engage the industry thought leaders in dialogue, touching on common challenges they face in a male-dominated industry. Featuring panellists with diverse backgrounds, education profiles and professional statuses, this exchange is bound to be motivational as well as insightful.

The session will be accessible online to members and non-members, with the audience being given an opportunity to pose questions to the panellists.

About the Guest Panel

Lidija Dumbaloska, Director Energy Networks and Systems, TfNSW

Lidija leads an all-inclusive engineering unit in the provision of expert advice for the electrical engineering assets across the Transport for NSW cluster. Lidija has been a key-note speaker for a number of events, including the Transport for NSW International Women’s Day 2020 event, an International Women in Engineering Day virtual event, Asset Strategy Council of Sydney, the Miss CEO event and has had featured articles in Global Rail Magazine, Top 100 Women in Construction and Women in Engineering Magazine. Lidija was a finalist in the 2020 Women In Industry Excellence in Engineering category.

Sylvia Iskander, Engineering Manager TLS NSW Fleets, Downer Rolling Stock Services

After earning her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from UOW, Sylvia entered the Rail industry world to explore her passion for transport, joining Downer as a graduate engineer working on the Waratah train project (delivering 78 train Sets).

Today she is Engineering Manager TLS NSW Fleets at Downer Rolling Stock Services, experienced in leading diverse engineering teams and functions with aim and objectives to empower a high performing team. Sylvia believes in a balanced workplace culture, where both women and men will thrive and all employees feel a sense of purpose.

Elodie O’Sullivan, Rail Engineer, WSP

Elodie is a Rail Engineer at WSP with 4 years of experience. She is part of the Track Design Team in a role that focuses on developing her technical and Design Management skills. She has worked on a wide range of projects including Sydney Metro and Fast Rail. She is currently working on Inland Rail as a design package lead.

Ashwini Ranjithabalan, Senior Project Manager, WSP

Ashwini is a Senior Project Manager specialising in delivering multi-disciplinary rail designs and has been working with WSP for 5 years on major infrastructure projects including Sydney Metro, Line Wide, Gawler Electrification, Main North Signaling Upgrades. Previous to this Ashwini was with John Holland Group working in the rail and building sector whilst completing her degree.

Register using the Engineers Australia link below!