The women of K2 Management are breaking the bias every day, bringing their expertise to a technical industry that’s generally male dominated. To celebrate International Women's Day 2022, meet some of our talented and inspiring colleagues who work hard to #breakthebias in renewable energy, and find out what matters to them most.
Azadeh Attari
Job: Senior consultant, Civil engineering, Aarhus
Qualification: PhD in structural engineering
What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?
There is a strong perception, especially in the construction engineering, which associates expertise and analytical capabilities with male gender. Our presence and voice in meetings breaks this pattern and thereby helps normalize the notion that an expert / technical advisor / analyst can very well be a female, behave professionally, and do a great job.
Like other unconscious biases, this is a strong construct, deeply rooted in centuries of established order and culture. Therefore, it will be a long way ahead, but every step counts! One can even say that breaking the bias for the next generation is both easier and more effective. I think it is important that next generation girls can imaging a profession for themselves in technical fields, where they can be successful, accepted and make an impact, and for that they need to see this happen in front of their eyes.
Emma Noirault
Job: Senior specialist solar, Bristol
Qualification: BEng Integrated Engineering with German and MSc in Renewable Energy
What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?
I think breaking the bias starts at a very early age, not only through education that does not instil unconscious bias but also making certain professions and roles more appealing to a wider catchment.
- Breaking the bias is not confined to the workplace but society as a whole.
- Breaking the bias is not women having to work twice as hard as men to be paid the same.
- Breaking the bias is not working mothers to having to sacrifice their motherhood to succeed at their job.
Marianne Brownlee
Job: Manager, Environmental management, Glasgow
Specialty: Environmental specialist
What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?
The world of engineering can often feel male dominated. My own approach to breaking the bias is taking every opportunity to champion and support female colleagues in their career development, raising awareness of environmental and renewable energy careers and supporting my organisation in providing an inclusive workplace culture.
Pauline Laporte Weywada
Job: Head of Civil Engineering, Lisbon
Specialty: Mechanical engineer, specialising in renewable marine energy
What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?
To me breaking the bias means working on getting to a place where everyone is given the same chances, the same treatment, throughout their education, recruitment, career, and even more globally life in general.
The renewable energy sector, of course such an indispensable actor for the energy transition context, should also be a leader of the DEI movement, as it is as indispensable for the future. I would like a place where we can all exchange perspectives, opinions, experiences, with no judgement (sometimes so deeply rooted we don’t even realise them) based on our gender or the way we look.
Meghan Suslovic
Job: Project support specialist, Boston
Qualification: BA in Environmental Science & Policy
What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?
Breaking the bias looks like going after your interests regardless of whether it has been a historically male dominated space and lifting other women up with you. I think it’s about having the confidence to show up as your whole self, which includes embracing your strengths and weaknesses.
Being new to the industry and without a technical background, both areas that are historically male dominated, I’ve had to take ownership of my learning and unabashedly ask colleagues questions about their work. I am confident in my skills and ability to learn though, so after just a few short months, I now take pride in and own my work. The rapid growth of the renewable industry in the US makes me excited to recruit other woman so we can begin to reach gender parity.
Louise Haahr
Job: Chief HR Officer, Aarhus
Specialty: Engineer & project management background
What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?
In K2M’s HR team, we are all women. A common bias is that women work in HR because it is “the soft” part of a business and women are good at that. Indeed, we are great at that, but we are so much more.
I would like to break the “soft=women” bias and emphasise that working in a male dominated and highly professional technical business requires a professional HR team that covers challenges in many areas, including technical ones. We bring legal, commercial and technical skills and experience into the K2M equation, challenging assumptions and bringing value to the organisation. Our diverse professional and cultural backgrounds are a strong combo to support our business efficiently and professionally worldwide.
Dr Kerri Hart
Job: Senior consultant, due diligence, Glasgow
Qualification: Masters degree in Physics and PhD in wind turbine drive train cost of energy optimisation
What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?
Anyone can achieve their goals and take on new challenges regardless of their background. What was once a male dominated industry is now becoming a more open minded and inclusive workplace for all, and although there are still hurdles to overcome, I will always strive to push forward a positive message to encourage others to pursue their ambitions.
Amandine Pelissier
Job: Graduate solar analyst and due diligence engineer, Glasgow
Qualification: MSc Offshore Renewable Energy
What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?
I believe breaking the bias is done through education; by teaching kids early about stereotypes; by exposure to opportunities and collaborative work; and by supporting young people in their interests. For me, breaking the bias is focusing on the person and not the person’s gender.
Mai Sloth
Job: Senior contract manager, legal advisory, Aarhus
Qualification: MSc Business & Law
What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?
I refuse to let my gender decide my opportunities.
Bethany Rowson
Job: Senior consultant, due diligence, Bristol
Qualification: Masters in mechanical engineering and material science
What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?
Being the one to host a technical meeting or turn up in PPE to a site or manufacturing facility and being met with the same respect and inclusion as anyone else.
Michelle Arenson
Job: Senior consultant, contracts management and development, Boston
Specialty: Specialist in complex legal transactions
What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?
I have been in a male dominated industry for so long, that it would be easy to overlook the bias faced by women every day. Breaking the bias means women having an equal opportunity to show what they can do, demonstrating their expertise without bias or additional hurdles.
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