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Type
Webinar

Black History Month: Saluting our Sisters

Event organised by ICE

Date
04 October 2023
Time

This event has now ended

Overview

This 'Saluting our Sisters' event brings together an esteemed panel of trailblazing black women who have excelled in various facets of civil engineering.

Our discussion aims to shine a light on their exceptional achievements, highlighting the challenges they've overcome, whilst underscoring the importance of diversity and inclusion within the engineering sector.

Discussion themes:

  • Personal journeys: panellists will share their unique pathways into civil engineering, reflecting on the challenges they've faced and the support systems that propelled them forward.
  • Breaking barriers: the discussion will explore the barriers and stereotypes that black women in engineering have confronted and how these challenges have been transcended.
  • Impactful projects: the speakers will showcase their notable projects and the innovative solutions they've developed, emphasizing the far-reaching impact of their work.
  • Diversity and inclusion: the conversation will underscore the significance of diverse perspectives in engineering and how greater inclusivity can drive progress within the industry.

Join us in celebrating the achievements of these exceptional black women in civil engineering as we honour their contributions to the field and promote a more diverse and inclusive future.

This event promises to be an insightful and empowering exploration of the remarkable accomplishments of black women within the engineering community, so don't miss out on this enlightening conversation!

Agenda

13:00 - 13:05

Introduction to the event and speakers

13:05 - 13:35

Discussion

13:35 - 13:50

Questions from the audience

13:50 - 14:00

Each panellist will share one takeaway that they would like to give to the audience

Speakers

Blessing Danha

Blessing Danha

Ankura

senior director

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Blessing Danha

Blessing Danha, senior director at Ankura, has over 17 years’ project, programme and portfolio management experience, both in industry as an engineer, and as a consultant. She has delivered, and advised on, major social and economic infrastructure projects across the transport, defense, custodial, education and housing sectors, working with diverse clients in both the UK and the Middle East. She leads Ankura’s ESG special interest group and DEI across Europe and Middle East.

Cynthia Okwosha

Cynthia Okwosha

Mott MacDonald

geotechnical engineer

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Cynthia Okwosha

Cynthia Okwosha is a geotechnical engineer at Mott MacDonald who was born and raised in Nigeria where she acquired her undergraduate degree in Geology. Cynthia arrived the UK in 2019 for a master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering and Management which she obtained from the University of Birmingham.

Upon completion of her studies, Cynthia joined the graduate programme at Mott MacDonald where she has worked on the geotechnical aspects of several projects developing an understanding of ground conditions and designing foundations. Cynthia is passionate about encouraging young people - especially women- into STEM related professions and has co-led the Early Career Professional STEM and Schools engagement activities in the Mott Macdonald Bristol office since 2021.

Abigail Onabanjo

Abigail Onabanjo

Mott MacDonald

permanent way engineer

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Abigail Onabanjo

Abigail Onabanjo is a permanent way engineer at Mott MacDonald. Abigail completed the graduate programme and is now a chartered Civil Engineer with 9 years’ experience. She has worked on a range of major and minor mainline and metro railway projects. Notable projects include Northern Line extension, Waterloo Station upgrade and Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Dr Awai Collins-Harrison

Dr Awai Collins-Harrison

Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers

co-chair

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Dr Awai Collins-Harrison

Dr Awai Collins-Harrison is a senior systems engineering consultant with over 8 years' experience in systems engineering in the rail industry.  She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in control systems from the University of Manchester and a BEng in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Nottingham. In addition to her technical role, Dr Awai is also the co-chair at the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers. In this capacity, she works closely with the members of the executive board to steer the AFBE towards its mission and objectives. Dr Awai strongly believes in the power of collaboration, innovation, adaptability and equity. Outside her professional life, she enjoys reading, mentoring other young engineers and volunteering with charities.  

For more information please contact:

Lauren Moczulski

Topics:

Sustainable Development Goals:

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