FutureNet VIC - Engineering Insights: A Panel of Experience for the Next Generation

Diane is an executive leader and chartered engineer with a passion for infrastructure. As the Client Director for Transport at WSP, Diane leads the business development strategy and sales accountability in relation to private and public sector clients. With over 20 years’ experience in delivery of major transport infrastructure across the UK, North America, and most recently Australia, Diane is passionate about representing her journey in consulting and engineering. She has also championed the benefits of engineering as a career through mentoring across a number of Industry Programmes including the DoT Women in Transport initiative and the Level Crossing Removal EPIC programme

With nearly 30 years total experience and 25 years in consulting, I have done a wide variety of projects in civil and transport engineering. I have always enjoyed the challenge of problem solving and identifying methods of delivering a client’s request. Some of the best roles and projects I have been involved with have been as a result of asking “Sure, why not?”. I Had excellent mentors and people within the industry to look up to in my early career and feel it is important to give back tot he young professionals of today.

Fun fact: I have represented five different companies on the Victorian Consult Australia committee

With a background in architecture and a deep passion for shaping vibrant, sustainable cities, I have led major urban renewal and precinct projects across state and local government. For the past five years I have been at Arcadis, holding leadership and growth-focused roles, and driving collaboration and innovation across the property and infrastructure sectors. I am particularly passionate about fostering stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors to create better cities, drive innovation and leverage the power of technology and automation. I thrive on working with people, mentoring and engaging with young professionals, and championing greater diversity and inclusion within our industry.

Fun fact: I am a Tassie girl, and I love to travel and explore new cities.

James currently serves as the Manager of Northrop’s civil and structural teams within the built infrastructure discipline. Leading a team of more than 30 professionals, he is highly focused on people management and has a proven history of successfully managing cross-functional teams. Combining his technical expertise with strong leadership skills, James ensures the successful delivery of projects. With over 20 years of experience in structural engineering, he has contributed to a wide variety of projects, ranging from hospitals to public precincts. James prioritises the development of his team, with regular coffee catchups and allocated time for training.

I started off my career in Electrical Engineering. Studied at RMIT and then got a job at Beca working a a Power Systems Engineer in the Power team. I worked in the Power team for around 6 years with a focus on Secondary and Protection design but also touching on Primary design. Over time I was writing more and more software, focusing on tools to imrpove how we delvier our design. Towards the end of my time in the Power team I was trying to focus the majority of my time in this space. Eventually I ended up moving into the software team within Beca. I am particulrly passionate about making sure that people who are writing software in non-software teams have the support and backing to deliver quality outcomes and to manage expectations with those around them, which I find to be particularly challenging for these individuals where their immediate collegues do not have the full context to understand their work.

Fun Fact: I am currently developing a “physics-based” space racing game that I am hoping to one day actually release

My career path has been agile, I’ve focused on working with good people, on interesting things and look up, down and sideways for challenging opportunities and new things to try. Even the moves that might have appeared to be backwards have turned into great expereinces and career progression. I have worked in water, transport, mining and environmental solutions sectors, with a unique breadth of experience across a range of programs and project governance and leadership roles on a number of State shaping projects. I have worked in a range of contract and teaming model including D&C, Joint Ventures and Alliances.

Fun Fact: I have recently taken up sewing which brings me equal amounts of joy and frustration!

Nick is currently the Manager of SMEC’s Melbourne Roads and highways team working within the Transport business Responsible for a team of over 100 professionals, Nick has a strong people management focus with a proven track record of managing cross-functional teams and combines this with his technical experience to ensure project success. Nick has a structural engineering background with over 20 years of experience working on major civil infrastructure projects at top-tier consultancies. He has major project expereince in highways, rail and maritime.

My career journey began with experience in structural design consultancy and site work, both locally and overseas. I eventually found my niche in project coordination at Gamcorp, a structural engineering consultancy focused on the renewable energy sector. After seven years of learning from inspiring mentors, I’m now proud to serve as Director of Operations and contribute to the company’s continued success. I believe that a young professional’s attitude towards personal development and willingness to learn from others are more crucial to their success than even their intellectual grasp of engineering concepts/ While engineering involves complex problem-solving, it’s fundamentally about providing a service to people and helping them overcome challenges, which is best learned through real world experience.

Fun fact: Love playing the Drums and Performing Card Tricks!