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K2M-Breaking-The-Bias


What does 'breaking the bias' mean to the inspiring women at K2M?

The women of K2 Management are breaking the bias every day, bringing their expertise to a technical industry that’s generally male dominated. To celebrate International Women's Day 2022, meet some of our talented and inspiring colleagues who work hard to #breakthebias in renewable energy, and find out what matters to them most.

AzadehAzadeh Attari

Job: Senior consultant, Civil engineering, Aarhus

Qualification: PhD in structural engineering

What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?

There is a strong perception, especially in the construction engineering, which associates expertise and analytical capabilities with male gender. Our presence and voice in meetings breaks this pattern and thereby helps normalize the notion that an expert / technical advisor / analyst can very well be a female, behave professionally, and do a great job.

Like other unconscious biases, this is a strong construct, deeply rooted in centuries of established order and culture. Therefore, it will be a long way ahead, but every step counts! One can even say that breaking the bias for the next generation is both easier and more effective. I think it is important that next generation girls can imaging a profession for themselves in technical fields, where they can be successful, accepted and make an impact, and for that they need to see this happen in front of their eyes.


Emma 1Emma Noirault

Job: Senior specialist solar, Bristol

Qualification: BEng Integrated Engineering with German and MSc in Renewable Energy

What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?

I think breaking the bias starts at a very early age, not only through education that does not instil unconscious bias but also making certain professions and roles more appealing to a wider catchment.

  • Breaking the bias is not confined to the workplace but society as a whole.
  • Breaking the bias is not women having to work twice as hard as men to be paid the same.
  • Breaking the bias is not working mothers to having to sacrifice their motherhood to succeed at their job.

Marianne 2

Marianne Brownlee

Job: Manager, Environmental management, Glasgow

Specialty: Environmental specialist

What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?

The world of engineering can often feel male dominated. My own approach to breaking the bias is taking every opportunity to champion and support female colleagues in their career development, raising awareness of environmental and renewable energy careers and supporting my organisation in providing an inclusive workplace culture.


PaulineJPGPauline Laporte Weywada

Job: Head of Civil Engineering, Lisbon

Specialty: Mechanical engineer, specialising in renewable marine energy

What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?

To me breaking the bias means working on getting to a place where everyone is given the same chances, the same treatment, throughout their education, recruitment, career, and even more globally life in general.

The renewable energy sector, of course such an indispensable actor for the energy transition context, should also be a leader of the DEI movement, as it is as indispensable for the future. I would like a place where we can all exchange perspectives, opinions, experiences, with no judgement (sometimes so deeply rooted we don’t even realise them) based on our gender or the way we look.


Meghan 1Meghan Suslovic

Job: Project support specialist, Boston

Qualification: BA in Environmental Science & Policy

What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?

Breaking the bias looks like going after your interests regardless of whether it has been a historically male dominated space and lifting other women up with you. I think it’s about having the confidence to show up as your whole self, which includes embracing your strengths and weaknesses.

Being new to the industry and without a technical background, both areas that are historically male dominated, I’ve had to take ownership of my learning and unabashedly ask colleagues questions about their work. I am confident in my skills and ability to learn though, so after just a few short months, I now take pride in and own my work. The rapid growth of the renewable industry in the US makes me excited to recruit other woman so we can begin to reach gender parity.


LouiseJPGLouise Haahr

Job: Chief HR Officer, Aarhus

Specialty: Engineer & project management background

What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?

In K2M’s HR team, we are all women. A common bias is that women work in HR because it is “the soft” part of a business and women are good at that. Indeed, we are great at that, but we are so much more.

I would like to break the “soft=women” bias and emphasise that working in a male dominated and highly professional technical business requires a professional HR team that covers challenges in many areas, including technical ones. We bring legal, commercial and technical skills and experience into the K2M equation, challenging assumptions and bringing value to the organisation. Our diverse professional and cultural backgrounds are a strong combo to support our business efficiently and professionally worldwide.


Kerri Hart PhotoDr Kerri Hart

Job: Senior consultant, due diligence, Glasgow

Qualification: Masters degree in Physics and PhD in wind turbine drive train cost of energy optimisation

What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?

Anyone can achieve their goals and take on new challenges regardless of their background. What was once a male dominated industry is now becoming a more open minded and inclusive workplace for all, and although there are still hurdles to overcome, I will always strive to push forward a positive message to encourage others to pursue their ambitions.


Amandine PellisierAmandine Pelissier

Job: Graduate solar analyst and due diligence engineer, Glasgow

Qualification: MSc Offshore Renewable Energy

What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?

I believe breaking the bias is done through education; by teaching kids early about stereotypes; by exposure to opportunities and collaborative work; and by supporting young people in their interests. For me, breaking the bias is focusing on the person and not the person’s gender.


Mai at siteMai Sloth

Job: Senior contract manager, legal advisory, Aarhus

Qualification: MSc Business & Law

What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?

I refuse to let my gender decide my opportunities.

 


Beth - photo for 8thMar22

Bethany Rowson

Job: Senior consultant, due diligence, Bristol

Qualification: Masters in mechanical engineering and material science

What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?

Being the one to host a technical meeting or turn up in PPE to a site or manufacturing facility and being met with the same respect and inclusion as anyone else.

 


MichelleJPGMichelle Arenson

Job: Senior consultant, contracts management and development, Boston

Specialty: Specialist in complex legal transactions

What does breaking the bias mean to you as a woman in renewable energy?

I have been in a male dominated industry for so long, that it would be easy to overlook the bias faced by women every day. Breaking the bias means women having an equal opportunity to show what they can do, demonstrating their expertise without bias or additional hurdles.