Every year on 23 June, International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) shines a light on the inspiring contributions of women engineers around the globe. Spearheaded by the Women\u2019s Engineering Society (WES), INWED is more than a day of celebration, it is a vital platform to raise awareness about the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in STEM fields.<\/p>\n
As the industry grapples with skills shortages and rapid technological transformation, embracing different voices is not just the right thing to do, it is essential for engineering a better world. Leading engineering consultancy Zutari is proud to support INWED 2025 under the global theme #TogetherWeEngineer.<\/p>\n
This theme resonates with the company\u2019s belief that innovation flourishes when people collaborate across disciplines, backgrounds, and experiences. As an organisation that strongly emphasises sustainability, impact, and people-centred design, Zutari recognises that the future of engineering must be inclusive. This year, Zutari spotlights three inspiring women who are shaping the future of engineering with vision, leadership, and resilience.<\/p>\n
Zinzi Portia Xakayi: Environmental Assessment Practitioner<\/strong><\/p>\n Described as a \u201cJack of all trades,\u201d Zinzi brings versatility and passion to her role. From permitting and auditing to environmental compliance monitoring, her work ensures Zutari\u2019s projects meet and exceed regulatory expectations.<\/p>\n Zinzi\u2019s proudest professional moment came when the Kathu Solar Park project, which she helped author and assess, won an award. Her personal achievements include pursuing a Master\u2019s degree, a journey she describes as both liberating and empowering.<\/p>\n She sees Zutari as a workplace that is \u201cincreasingly inclusive,\u201d particularly at technical and middle-management levels. \u201cI have witnessed Zutari make meaningful strides toward building a more inclusive and supportive environment, especially at the technical and middle management levels, where women are increasingly empowered to contribute and grow within the organisation,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n These efforts have fostered a sense of belonging and have opened doors for many talented professionals, herself included, to develop our skills and take on greater responsibilities. Yet, Zinzi calls for more focus on mentorship and clear leadership pathways to accelerate change at the executive level.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile progress is evident, it is essential that we continue to focus on creating clear pathways for leadership development, mentorship, and succession planning for all employees. I am optimistic that, by prioritising these initiatives, Zutari can build on its achievements and shape a leadership team that truly reflects the diversity and talent within our workforce,\u201d says Zinzi.<\/p>\n The theme #TogetherWeEngineer reminds her that collaboration and unity are the keys to lasting progress. \u201cFor me, it is a reminder that progress in engineering and society at large is achieved when diverse voices come together, share ideas, and support one another. It is about collaboration, breaking down barriers, and building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n Aa\u2019isha Dollie: Design Manager and Public Realm Team Lead<\/strong><\/p>\n From Cape Town to Riyadh, Aa\u2019isha exemplifies the strength of talent empowered to lead globally. As a Design Manager and Public Realm Team Lead, she oversees a team delivering over SAR80 million in public art and landscape contracts on the Diriyah Phase II project in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n Her career is punctuated with accolades: graduating with honours in Civil Engineering, developing one of the first net-zero water strategies, earning an MBA, and being named Zutari\u2019s Young Engineer of the Year in 2025. Aa\u2019isha was also the youngest to be promoted to her current leadership role.<\/p>\n \u201cZutari is fortunate to have forward-thinking leaders who look beyond gender constraints to recognise, harness and nurture talent. There is still a long way to go before this is balanced out but there have been noticeable efforts made to advance the careers of women, especially when it comes to senior position promotions,\u201d says Aa\u2019isha.<\/p>\n For her, INWED 2025 is about looking beyond ourselves as individuals and realising that we could achieve more and have a far greater-reaching impact if we stand together and support one another. \u201cThis is not just about women supporting women. It is about communities pushing to question the traditional stigmas we have imposed upon ourselves and think about how much more value we could create without them.\u201d<\/p>\n Zutari\u2019s support of women in engineering starts at a school level through involvement in communal events to get young girls thinking about a career in STEM. \u201cThis is very important because subject selection in high school is an early constraint that challenges one\u2019s eligibility towards a STEM career,\u201d stresses Aa\u2019isha.<\/p>\n She reflects on the positive change for women in the field. \u201cFrom the time that I started studying in 2014 to now, there has been a significant and noticeable increase in the number of women entering the field. What still needs to happen is that the traditional expectations of societal views that engineering is a career suitable only for men need to change. Young girls should not feel like a career in STEM is not for them. They should not be mocked, criticised or discouraged from it.\u201d<\/p>\n It is important to have more women in engineering and STEM roles because engineers design and build what they know. \u201cThe only way to achieve inclusively designed spaces is to have women involved in the development process because they balance out the design thinking with a different perspective,\u201d says Aa\u2019isha.<\/p>\n Her message to women to succeed in the technology and engineering space is simple: \u201cTo not be underestimated and overlooked because they are women, they are less capable.\u201d Aa\u2019isha\u2019s future looks bright as she champions Zutari\u2019s growth in the Middle East and being in a position \u201cto honour and pay forward all the support I have received by supporting, encouraging and mentoring emerging professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n Kerrylynn Chetty: Technical Team Lead, Energy Unit<\/strong><\/p>\n As the only female Technical Team Lead in Zutari\u2019s Energy Division, Kerrylynn understands the weight and power of representation. \u201cI am acutely aware of both the challenges and significance of female representation in technical leadership,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Her appointment alone gives her confidence that Zutari is making meaningful progress toward gender equality. However, it goes further in that she is also being led by a female Managing Director. Kerrylynn also has two highly skilled female technical resources in her team.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sends a powerful message that, in Zutari, women are trusted not just to lead projects but also to lead entire business units. The multifaceted inclusion of females in the engineering fields within Zutari displays the top-down and bottom-up inclusion to achieving gender equality and female empowerment,\u201d comments Kerrylynn.<\/p>\n \u201cAt my core, my love for teaching, learning, and the development of people and staff makes me the proudest,\u201d she adds. She has mentored over ten engineers and technologists to professional registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa. Her personal motivation is to be a source of inspiration and guidance to people in the workplace. Despite the pressures faced as a team, it gives her great joy to prioritise the growth of each team member.<\/p>\n \u201cI am also proud of my academic achievements to date,\u201d says Kerrylynn. These include a bachelor\u2019s degree in engineering (cum laude), a master\u2019s degree in engineering (cum laude), a Government Certificate of Competence for Electrical Engineers in Factories, a master\u2019s degree in business administration, and professional engineering registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa for more than ten years.<\/p>\n Kerrylynn says that #TogetherWeEngineer speaks to solidarity between women supporting each other and between allies of all genders who believe in creating an inclusive, equitable space for engineering development. \u201cIt is about recognising that when we bring diverse minds and voices, engineering becomes multi-dimensional. This mindset makes it more than just a theme; it is a call to action. My personal experience and the 2025 theme remind me that while individual determination opens doors, real transformation happens when we move forward together.\u201d<\/p>\n She adds that Zutari is an organisation that goes beyond numbers and ticking boxes. It actively fosters a culture where women are heard, empowered, and positioned to shape strategy.<\/p>\n There is a strong display of active mentorship, inclusive leadership development, and a celebration of women through various initiatives and programmes.<\/p>\n \u201cI have seen firsthand that the support is real, and the intention is clear that the way for other strong, technically competent females to follow suit has been paved. The barriers are slowly breaking away. I believe this reinforces the importance of representation at every level, from the site to the boardroom.\u201d<\/p>\n This demonstrates that women are not only capable of driving technical excellence but also shaping the future of the industry. \u201cOf course, being the only women in a team lead position in the Energy Division is a reminder that our work is not done. Women have now been invited to the table, but we need to encourage and focus on speaking up, leading, and influencing.\u201d<\/p>\n Engineering the future, together<\/strong><\/p>\n Zutari understands that transformation does not happen in isolation. It takes courage, collaboration, and community. Its support for INWED 2025 is part of its broader commitment to cultivating a workplace where everyone can thrive, lead, and innovate, regardless of gender.<\/p>\n By showcasing the stories of Zinzi, Aa\u2019isha, and Kerrylynn, we are reminded of what is possible when talent is nurtured and empowered. #TogetherWeEngineer is more than a hashtag; it is a blueprint for a more inclusive future.<\/p>\n