Can you share a bit about your early years and what inspired your creativity?

I grew up in Wellington and had a pretty normal 80s childhood. I enjoyed doing outdoor stuff – riding bikes, playing in the bush, building forts, playing sport. But I was also quite shy and liked drawing and maths. I guess enjoying maths and art as a kid is a good way to learn problem-solving skills and develop creativity.

What drew you to study Engineering and how has your perspective on the profession evolved since then?

I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, and had a lot of different jobs before studying engineering as a mature student. Engineering seemed like a career that could keep me interested and challenged – there’s so much to learn that you can never completely master it and never get bored. I loved the technical challenges – figuring things out, finding solutions, calculations, getting everything resolved nicely! Now I also enjoy the consulting and collaborative parts of the job, like negotiating with other disciplines and developing relationships.

What do you like about working at S&T?

S&T is a great place to work. I love that it is small enough that we all get to do a bit of everything, but also big enough that we get to work on interesting projects. The culture is very friendly. We’re free to be ourselves, to pursue projects and undertake our jobs in our own way – there’s not much unnecessary bureaucracy. Everyone works hard and has high standards, so I know I can always rely on the people around me and feel proud of the work we put out.

Which project stands out as your favourite, and how did it challenge or inspire you to grow professionally?

The redevelopment of Parliament Library basement from storage into office space was a good one! I enjoyed that it was such a unique project. We had to figure out so many aspects from scratch and really think outside the box. It was challenging in many ways – a very tight program, complex seismic and fire issues, integrating with existing systems, accommodating changes to the design brief during construction… That project opened my eyes to the importance of building good relationships.

What values guide you in your work and personal life, and how do they shape the way you approach your role at S&T?

At work I hope that I can make a difference by working hard, being kind, and finding smart solutions to problems. I want to deliver good projects that we can be proud of. I try to see the positive side of situations, and ultimately just want to enjoy whatever it is I’m doing, whether work or something else.

What inspires you most in your work and how does that influence your designs or approach?

I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. So I try to avoid the negative aspects but keep the positive – aiming for greatness, doing my best, not settling for average. I like to find the best solution for a client’s problem.

What’s a goal or aspiration you’re currently working toward?

I just became a Chartered Engineer, so that was a big achievement ticked off! My next goal is to get outside my comfort zone and get involved in business development and build client relationships. The hard things are usually the most rewarding, so doing that stuff that I’m not naturally good at is what I need to work on now.