This International Women’s Day we’re sharing the stories of some of the talented, courageous, passionate, and determined women across our global business. Read about them below!
 

MEET MARIANNE, COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT MANAGER AT FUTURE GENERATION

“My journey started when I began my studies in Business Communication. From there I have enjoyed a linear career path in a range of private and public sector roles in Queensland, Canberra, and Sydney. Within this industry, I have been fortunate enough to possess the technical and communicational skills that are transferable across a multitude of industries, from areas of small business and corporate roles to politics and public affairs, to transport and infrastructure, the adaptability of my skills and the role has allowed me to move into different areas.

My roles over this time, have involved creative thinking and at times have been quite demanding to meet tight deadlines. These roles have also involved the building of relationships with internal and external stakeholders, resulting in a network of contacts which has proven to be quite useful in my position.

Over the years, my work in the construction industry has been focused on community relations and stakeholder engagement. I saw an opportunity for a more direct and personal method of communication with stakeholders impacted by major infrastructure projects. In doing so I observed the benefits of the development of relationships and consultations which subsequently resulted in an improvement of community engagement. I see the role of Community Relations on infrastructure projects as clearing the way for Clough and the construction industry.

Clough itself upholds the ethos I relate to in terms of community engagement and pioneering projects. Currently, Clough is the Australian joint venture partner for Snowy 2.0, the largest renewable energy project in Australia. I grew up in the Snowy Mountains where the original Snowy Scheme is integral to the history of the region and this project brings me back to the area. I am proud to be part of creating the next legacy for future generations.

The environment of Clough is another reason I enjoy my role. Managing our small and effective Community & Stakeholder team and being part of a broader project team is what makes my role so rewarding. I also enjoy regular coordination with our JV partners and the client. My team’s collective experience is impressive, and our input is welcomed and valued.

Furthermore, Clough is a recognised leader in diversity and equal opportunity and these values are embraced by Future Generation. Future Generation is committed to achieving a gender balanced workforce for Snowy 2.0.

I hope the construction industry becomes a workplace where the safety and wellbeing of workers is never compromised. Clough’s Target Zero value to protect people, community and the environment should be a universal value for the construction industry.

I hope to see a consistent increase of women and improved equitable environment for all. To women out there who are working in this industry, I want you to find your voice! Women have different perspectives and skills to offer so we can make real contributions to the construction industry and positive change. With this, we can see change reflected from our actions and create a better environment for future generations.”
 

MEET ESMA, PROJECT ENGINEER 

“I started my Civil Engineering career a little over six years ago as a bright eyed, overly enthusiastic Cadet Engineer with a construction company in Perth, WA. Over the years, I have worked on several infrastructure projects including land development, road and pavement construction, smart street projects for local council, bulk earthworks, and pipeline upgrades.

My path to engineering wasn’t the typical lifelong passion or an immense interest in maths and physics, it was actually because I could not get into medicine that I chose engineering.

Conceptually, they felt the same to me with the end goal being that you are making lasting contributions towards a better future for individuals, as well as communities.

The construction element of my role followed, as I always enjoyed being on site, and never envisaged being a design engineer. I enjoy being on site, where everything is dynamic and can change in an instant, and I love seeing projects come to fruition from the planning stage.

I love working with people from all walks of life, all levels of skill and all kinds of experiences, and I love the pressure that arises from having to manage several interfaces, whether it be the client, consultants, other stakeholders, or simply different subcontractors on site. I respect the process it takes for one engineer to envision a project and design it, and for another engineer to bring that vision to life.

Construction requires a lot of collaboration, teamwork, commitment, management and critical thinking, and no two days are the same so you are always kept on your toes and although that might be enough to deter some people, it draws me in, and it is my happy place.

Clough is an iconic presence, having constructed some monumental projects, particularly here in Perth, which thousands of people have benefited from over decades. That attests to Clough’s capabilities and the calibre of projects it delivers, and so to be a part of a company with that kind of innovation and pioneering in engineering, feels great. The diversity in both the workforce and the company profile is incredible. I value and resonate with the vision and commitment the leadership team has in fostering a diverse and all-inclusive business.

The collaborative nature and types of projects Clough offers are what drew me in. I am currently working on a design and tender, and through this period I have come to learn a lot of new concepts and processes. I work with a talented team who have been supportive from the start.

Clough offers a great environment to work in, supporting equality and inclusivity, especially for women.

You cannot be what you cannot see, and on my first week at Clough a woman was appointed as Engineering Director for APAC. That was inspiring. Clough is a WGEA (Workplace Gender Equality Agency) Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, and it is evident from the culture that is driven by CEO Peter Bennett and the workplace, that diversity and equality are not just a tick and flick on a piece of paper.

However, the construction industry requires a cultural shift which needs to be first driven by its leaders and then endorsed at all levels. We need to break through the rigid mindsets that for years have operated with a very one-dimensional approach.

I hope to see the day where I, and many women like myself, do not have to worry about both conscious and subconscious bias towards our roles in the industry. The day where, as females in the industry, we are no longer subjected to preconceived judgements that automatically assigned administrative tasks to us when our male counterparts are involved in more technical tasks.

The day where a mum (or parent) being in construction is not seen as disadvantageous, but where a work-life balance is achievable and celebrated.

The day where women in the construction industry are valued equally and notions of gender pay gaps are well and truly mythical, unlike the present where this is experienced explicitly and without cause by many of my peers.

With patience, resilience, and a lot of passion things will change, as construction is an extremely rewarding and empowering industry, and everyone has a place in it. It is about finding your place and owning it, and not letting other people’s biased opinions define you or what you have to offer.

Most women have this misconception that we need to “fit in” to the construction industry to do what we love, but we can stand out and do it differently. Just because we are not doing it like the men, does not mean we are not doing it right. So, it is imperative to be bold, be brave, do it differently and do it with pride, stay true to your values because only they define you, not the industry you are a part of. We are only limited by our capabilities and our drive, so be the change you want to see. Change may not come today, but it will come because there are no barriers that cannot be broken without perseverance.”
 

MEET ROXANNA, HSSE GRADUATE

“My journey started with Clough as a Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Graduate in October of 2020. Before that, I worked as a field engineer in upstream oil and gas, meaning health and safety were critical to everything I did. In my time with Clough, I have been able to work with various aspects of the business. I have been fortunate to help launch sustainability in North America, support the HSSE team on Project Traveler, aiding in teaching HSSE leadership courses, serve as a change agent with the Center of Excellence (mapping and identifying process improvements within the business) and am now taking on the exciting challenge of integrating HSSE processes and systems with the latest acquisition of J.J. White. It is a great time to be a part of the Clough team in North America.

But why did I choose this path? Engineering and construction always spoke to me because I enjoy the more hands-on nature of this industry. The industry itself allows for collaborations with a diverse range of people and backgrounds, who I can work with and learn from.

Clough strives to offer and support this notion of diversity in this industry, always striving to do more and be better. I think it is easy for a business that has been around as long as Clough has to laze in the comfort zone- a place where things are done as they always have been. However, during my time with Clough, I have seen that the organization is not afraid to try new things, push boundaries, and find new paths towards progress. Because of this, I feel comfortable asking questions and looking for opportunities for improvement; I cannot understate how empowering that is.

Clough has also supported the goals around gender diversity in several ways. One of my favorite initiatives has been the HERSTORY makers group that launched last year. In addition to working towards goals that promote diversity within Clough, the group is also a great place to discuss ideas and challenge preconceived notions. In this group, we often share thought-provoking literature, articles, or videos. One of my favorite memories resulting from this exercise was when I shared an excerpt from a novel on feminism that I have always found meaningful. What I did not realize at the time was how much this would resonate with someone else on the call. From there, we began a dialogue around feminism in the workplace and I lent her the book. She then lent it to someone else for them to read, and then they passed it along to others. This small moment began a chain reaction of fascinating and constructive discussions around feminism with a group I never imagined was interested. It showed me that opportunities for connection are everywhere, and it would have never happened without the HERSTORY makers initiative.

Continuing to push limitations is what I resonate with Clough, and I hope to see more improvements in the mental health space in the construction industry. In the US, construction has the highest suicide rate of all industries at about 53.2 suicides per 100,000 workers; a rate that is five times greater than all other construction fatalities combined. The industry has done a great job improving safety around our more obvious hazards, but we need to also focus on addressing the less visible problems. While we have come a long way, we have a long path ahead of us to keep each other safe.

Women in this industry need to support and uplift each other, and I think the best piece of advice I could give to other women in this industry is to be brave as you carry yourself through your career. Do not be afraid to stand up for yourself, do not be afraid to ask questions, do not be afraid to talk about the things you are passionate about. You never know who is listening, who else you might inspire, and the conversations or ideas that spark from your convictions.”
 

MEET CHLOE, HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER 

“I started working at Clough on a Tender in November of 2020 which was such an incredible team to be a part of, making friends from across Australia and the world. I then moved into the HR team in May of 2021 and have since worked on a number of different projects and continued supporting our tendering efforts. All the projects have been diverse, and I’ve really enjoyed the learning opportunities each have offered.

I fell into the engineering and construction industry when I moved home from the USA at the end of 2020, I was desperate to work again and was looking for jobs I had experience in but when I had my first interview with the Project Director for the Tender and the HR team, I found myself really intrigued by the project, the industry and the company as a whole and had a really good feeling about taking up the position.

I always tell people that I love how every day is different in my role at Clough. In other companies I’ve worked, the days can be quite repetitive and administrative whereas I find Clough to be a dynamic, fast and fun pace and an environment where I am always learning and developing. I also really enjoy the people I work with and what Clough offers as a company around diversity, flexibility and development.

When I joined the HR team, I was so inspired to see working mums around me who were hardworking, intelligent and career-driven but also valued and prioritised their family life. I was encouraged to see that it does not have to be one or the other at Clough. Now I am having my first child and with maternity leave imminent, I feel so grateful to be in a company that promotes flexibility, shared caring responsibilities and I know that I can come back to a company that supports both my work and family life. This really prepared me for my own maternity leave and how I can still have the best of both worlds.

I like that Clough’s policies encourage both parents to consider the option of sharing primary caregiver responsibilities, it doesn’t just apply to birth mothers, but to all employees at Clough.

I first heard about Clough’s goals, and achievements, around gender equality and equal opportunity in my induction during my first week. I was so impressed, mostly because I’d worked in industries a lot more saturated with women and never felt as supported, welcomed and part of the team as I did when I first commenced on the project I was working on.

For the future, I look forward to seeing, and hope to see, that all of the changes, goals and ‘ideas’ around gender equality, equal opportunity and work/life balance, are embraced by all companies, and are not just seen as tick boxes. I hope they continue to become core values and engrained in companies fully. I think all industries have a way to go in this area, to fully embody the much-needed changes, but we’re definitely on our way. Clough has not only implemented diversity and inclusivity policies but also a clear vision and goals to work towards.

If you’re starting out in the construction industry, my advice to you is to be confident in what you bring to the table and don’t be afraid to learn and ask questions!”