International Women’s Day 2024
Alucraft Ltd is celebrating women and their achievements in the construction industry by continuing to inspire inclusion for all. This International Women’s Day, on Friday 8 March 2024, get to know some of the women in our team and the incredible contribution they bring to our business. Let’s #InspireInclusion to help forge a better, more inclusive world for women.
Athulya Mohandas, Programme Coordinator
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m a Planning Engineer with a background in civil engineering. I completed my civil engineering degree in India before moving to Dubai to kickstart my career in the construction industry. In Dubai, I gained valuable experience working as a Projects Control Engineer for over five years, where I honed my skills in project management and coordination.
Seeking new challenges and opportunities, I then made the move to Ireland, where I was fortunate enough to land an exciting role as a Planning Engineer at Alucraft. In this position, I utilise my expertise in project planning, scheduling, and coordination to ensure the smooth execution of construction projects. My diverse background and experience in different sectors of the industry have equipped me with a well-rounded skill set, allowing me to thrive in dynamic and fast-paced environments.
I’m passionate about contributing to the success of construction projects and constantly seek to enhance my knowledge and skills to stay at the forefront of industry developments. Working as a Planning Engineer allows me to leverage my technical expertise while also providing opportunities for creative problem-solving and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
What does “Inspiring Inclusion” mean to you?
“Inspiring Inclusion” epitomizes the commitment to equal opportunities and respect for all individuals, particularly women, regardless of their background or identity. It involves breaking stereotypes and fostering environments where diversity is celebrated and every woman’s contributions are valued.
What is your proudest achievement whilst working at Alucraft?
My proudest achievement at Alucraft within my first year has been successfully transitioning from the Middle Eastern work culture to the European work environment. Despite the differences, I embraced the opportunity to learn new software tools and methodologies. With the unwavering support of my team and the resources provided by the company, I also achieved the milestone of obtaining my Prince 2 foundation certification. This accomplishment not only enhances my professional credentials but also demonstrates my dedication to continuously improving my skills and contributing effectively to the team’s success in a new and challenging environment.
How do you succeed in a male-dominated environment?
Succeeding in a male-dominated environment requires confidence in your abilities and establishing credibility through high-quality work. It’s crucial to find supportive allies and communicate assertively while setting clear boundaries. Continuously learning and developing skills, networking effectively, and leading by example are essential. Navigating challenges with resilience and advocating for diversity and inclusion also play key roles. By implementing these strategies, individuals can thrive in any environment while promoting equality and inclusivity.
Share a women’s empowerment moment that inspired you
One women’s empowerment moment that truly inspired me was witnessing a colleague confidently lead a project presentation in a male-dominated boardroom. Despite being outnumbered by men, she commanded the room with her poise, knowledge, and articulate communication. Her ability to assert herself, articulate her ideas clearly, and navigate challenging questions with grace was truly remarkable. Seeing her thrive in that environment served as a powerful reminder of the importance of women’s representation and the impact of female leadership. It inspired me to continue pushing boundaries, challenging stereotypes, and advocating for gender equality in all aspects of life and work.
Catherine Gannon, Quality Administrator
Tell us a bit about yourself
With over two decades of experience as an Office Administrator and Receptionist within a large corporation, I transitioned to Alucraft in 2017, taking on a new Receptionist role. Initially, adjusting to the construction industry created challenges as it was predominantly male-dominated, a shift from my previous environment. However, after 18 months, an opportunity arose for a Quality Administrator position, which I pursued and successfully secured. Despite lacking direct experience in quality management, I leveraged my familiarity with the company’s procedures and processes to excel in my new role. Over time, I’ve gained invaluable experience, and I have been supported by managers who have empowered their team members to perform at their best.
What does “Inspiring Inclusion” mean to you?
Inspiring Inclusion means to give every woman a chance to exceed all their expectations with no barriers put in front of them. To feel valued and included in all walks of life.
What is your proudest achievement whilst working at Alucraft?
Receiving the “One Team” award as part of our internal Rewards and Recognition Scheme not once, but twice within the past four years for my continuous support across all the business functions.
How do you succeed in a male-dominated environment?
To succeed in a male-dominated environment you need to stay positive, develop strong relationships, be confident and assertive, support other women, and focus on being a valuable contributor in all conversations. I would say “just be yourself”.
Share a women’s empowerment moment that inspired you
Michelle Obama who served as a role model for women and was an advocate for poverty awareness and education.
Evelyn Delfin, Lead Designer
Tell us a bit about yourself
With over 15 years of experience across 3 different continents, I’ve developed a diverse background within the industry. I have worked at Alucraft for 7 years, currently holding the position of Lead Designer.
What does “Inspiring Inclusion” mean to you?
It means to recognise, emphasize, and celebrate the importance of women in our society.
What is your proudest achievement whilst working at Alucraft?
Being part of some of the prestigious projects at Alucraft has always been my proudest achievement.
How do you succeed in a male-dominated environment?
I believe in championing causes close to my heart and speaking up when necessary. By doing so, I strive to gain the deserving respect and recognition, while inspiring others to do the same. I believe that there is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.
Share a women’s empowerment moment that inspired you
I am inspired when I read articles of women’s achievements in various fields. For example, when two female Irish architects won the prestigious Pritzker Award for Architecture in 2020, I found their achievement empowering.
Kamila Maciejewska, Accounts Administrator
Tell us a bit about yourself
Having moved to Ireland 18 years ago, I pursued my Bookkeeping and Administration degree in 2019/2020, gaining valuable finance experience in a small renovation company before joining Alucraft/Williaam Cox in 2022.
What does “Inspiring Inclusion” mean to you?
To me, “Inspiring Inclusion” means the principles of equality, fair compensation, and respect. Recognising the value of women as employees and business leaders is crucial. Women bring organisational skills, creativity, and the ability to multitask effectively, both in the workplace and whilst balancing their family and social life.
What is your proudest achievement whilst working at Alucraft?
Having a good balance between my professional and personal life while advancing in my finance career. I appreciate the supportive environment at Alucraft, which prioritises the well-being and development of its employees.
How do you succeed in a male-dominated environment?
I believe that navigating a male-dominated environment, particularly within the finance sector, requires authenticity and self-assurance. I think that staying true to oneself ultimately leads to finding the right fit within any organisation.
Share a women’s empowerment moment that inspired you
Every day, I am inspired by countless women who ‘get the job done’. Whether as professionals, friends, partners, or mothers, women continually demonstrate their resilience and capability to accomplish tasks. Each small accomplishment represents a significant achievement, deserving of acknowledgement.
Noelle Franco, Design Manager
Tell us a bit about yourself
I am an experienced Façade Design Manager with over 14 years of experience in the construction industry. I re-joined Alucraft in 2020 bringing an expertise gained from working on projects not only in the Irish construction sector but other international construction markets such as LATAM.
What does “Inspiring Inclusion” mean to you?
Inspiring inclusion means embracing diversity to enrich distinct opinions and ensure an equal and safe environment for all.
What is your proudest achievement whilst working at Alucraft?
My proudest achievement was becoming a Design Manager, promoting respect amongst all.
How do you succeed in a male-dominated environment?
I feel that women bring an element of strength and determination to the industry. I think there is some subconscious pressure to overcome all the obstacles in this male-dominated industry. I’ve observed numerous exceptional women stepping into pivotal roles and producing significant work within the sector. Their resilience and competence serve as inspiring examples of success, driving positive change and encouraging inclusivity.
Share a women’s empowerment moment that inspired you
I experience many empowering moments with my female colleagues as we support each other on a consistent basis. We openly share our challenges, offering a helping hand and support when needed.
Patricia Martino, Senior Designer
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m an Architect with more than 10 years of experience. For 6 years, from 2013 to 2019, I had my own company in Brazil. After that, I decided to start a new chapter in my professional career and in 2018 I moved to Ireland. Since 2019 I have been working in the façade industry.
What does “Inspiring Inclusion” mean to you?
”Inspiring inclusion” means any kind of environment where women feel valued, supported, and empowered, that can also provide equal opportunities, and encourage a flexible culture that allows women to balance their professional and personal responsibilities.
What is your proudest achievement whilst working at Alucraft?
I’m proud to be contributing to a complex and challenging project from conception to competition, overcoming obstacles, and delivering results.
How do you succeed in a male-dominated environment?
Succeeding in a male-dominated environment can certainly be possible with respect, confidence, competence, being assertive in expressing ideas, and staying resilient.
Share a women’s empowerment moment that inspired you
Women’s right to vote. Kamala Harris was the first female Vice President elected in the United States. When women were allowed to request for divorce.
Team Celebrations
A special thank you to everyone who took the time to tell us what “Inspiring Inclusion” means to them. We are proud to be an inclusive employer with a diverse workforce. As a token of our commitment, we’re delighted to have offered dedicated gifts to our teams throughout the entire office, marking the special occasion.
To find out more about how Alucraft promotes International Women’s Day across the business, click here.
