International Women in Engineering Day: Celebrating Engineering Excellence

From a spark of inspiration in a classroom to leading engineering efforts on a major global project, Ankita Thakur’s journey is a testament to curiosity, courage, and continuous learning. Since joining Hatch in 2023 as a junior electrical engineer, Ankita has played a key role in stage 1 of the Jansen project. Today, she is working on the Smart Plant Electrical (SPEL) engineering work for stage 2 from our Gurugram office, contributing to critical deliverables like single-line diagrams, schematics, cable schedules, and lighting calculations.

 

Inspired by her math teacher’s stories of engineering, Ankita chose this path with a passion for problem-solving and innovation. She believes women bring unique strengths and perspectives that enhance the creativity and outcomes of engineering solutions. Encouraging aspiring women engineers to step out of their comfort zones, she says, “I always love to learn new things and take on challenges. It’s how you learn and grow both professionally and personally. You never know what you’re capable of until you try.”

 

Ankita is proud to be part of a supportive and inclusive environment. She credits her growth to the mentorship and encouragement of colleagues like Deepankaj Kumar, Yaswanth Bellam, and her lead, Sriram Venkatesan, who have guided her through both technical and non-technical challenges.

 

Driven by a love for learning and a desire to take on new challenges, Ankita looks forward to growing her career and mentoring the next generation of engineers.

 

Meet Blaire MacKenzie, a senior geotechnical engineer in our Tailings business unit. Since joining Hatch in 2017, she has led complex projects across the full life cycle of mine waste management, bringing technical depth, leadership, and empathy to every challenge. Most recently, she served as engineering manager for the feasibility study closure of two residue and liquor ponds at an alumina refinery in Australia’s Northern Territory.

 

Blaire’s journey into engineering began at Queen’s University in Ontario, where she discovered geological engineering through a general first-year program. “I didn’t know much about engineering going in, but I was drawn to the geology side of things, and it just clicked,” she recalls. That spark led her to pursue a career in geotechnical engineering, specifically in tailings. “I love being in the field, understanding the ground model, and seeing how our designs come to life.”

 

She acknowledges the gender barriers she’s faced, especially early in her fieldwork, but emphasizes the importance of confidence and preparation. When asked what advice she’d offer young women in engineering, she says, “Be confident in what you know. Speak up, stay curious, and don’t back down from the roles you want.”

 

Looking ahead, she’s creating new project proposals and preparing for a closure conference in September, continuing to grow both technically and as a leader in the industry.

 

In just two years at Hatch, Jeanne Marchand, a junior process engineer, has made a strong impact through her technical skills, curiosity, and passion for sustainable innovation. She is currently on-site in North Carolina, USA, managing and developing several studies for a quartz mine, supporting semiconductor and solar panel production.

 

Jeanne’s career began with an internship in thermodynamic simulation, but her desire to work closer to operations led her to roles at a gold mine in northern Québec and a battery recycling startup. These experiences sparked her interest in engineering consulting, and she joined Hatch in July 2023, drawn by its innovative projects and commitment to climate action and the energy transition.

 

A graduate of Polytechnique Montréal, Jeanne has always been curious about how things work. She’s passionate about problem-solving and believes diverse teams bring the best solutions. Her advice to women in engineering: “Stay curious, say yes to opportunities, and get out of your comfort zones because that’s where growth happens.”

 

Jeanne is also deeply committed to mentorship. Through Hatch’s partnership with her former college, she mentors engineering students, helping them transition into the workforce. She offers guidance on both technical challenges and career development, aiming to create the same supportive environment that helped shape her own path.

 

Adéla Hnátová, a process engineer based in London, is a trailblazer for young women in engineering, delivering technical solutions across global upstream and downstream oil and gas projects.

 

Her path into engineering was sparked by a personal experience. As a teenager managing eczema, she became curious about how food processing affects nutrition. Her curiosity evolved into a fascination with chemical engineering and, eventually, a passion for the energy sector. “Recognizing the complexities of the climate crisis and energy transition has inspired me to explore the energy sector more deeply,” she says.

 

Adéla believes that diverse teams, especially those with a mix of genders and backgrounds, bring broader perspectives and stronger collaboration to problem-solving. While she hasn’t personally faced gender barriers, she acknowledges the imbalance at senior levels and is optimistic about progress. “Engineering has historically been a field with greater male representation. And so, the fact that we have more women in engineering brings a little bit more diversity into how things are approached.”

 

She credits her growth to a supportive environment at Hatch, where senior colleagues are always willing to share their knowledge. Iain Fraser, a fellow process engineer, has been a particularly valuable mentor. Adéla finds fulfillment in helping others grow as she has by guiding junior engineers through calculations, simulations, and software tools.

 

When asked what she’s most proud of, she says it’s how far she’s come, from feeling overwhelmed at the start of her career to now confidently tackling complex problems and applying her growing experience to new challenges.

 

Adéla looks forward to earning her chartership with IChemE and continuing to grow technically, professionally, and as a future mentor.

 

Claudia Neves is our regional governance lead and project commercial manager for our South America region and has more than two decades of experience and a deep passion for project management.

 

She has worked in many projects at Hatch, and is currently working on the CHAVIMOCHIC project in Peru, which began in May of last year. Juggling multiple responsibilities comes naturally to Claudia. As a mother of two teenagers, she believes the multitasking and leadership skills women often develop outside of work translate powerfully into the professional world.

 

“We have a lot of functions in our life which help us prioritize activities and management of time, leadership and empathy,” she says. “We learned these at home with our kids, with our parents, with our spouses, and managing all those things together.”

 

Claudia is a strong advocate for diverse teams, noting that inclusion drives innovation, and thinks that mentorship has been a defining part of her journey at Hatch. She credits many of her colleagues for playing instrumental roles in helping her find her footing and thrive.

 

When asked what she’s most proud of, she touts building a successful career while staying present for her family as a major accomplishment, which she acknowledges is something many women sacrifice.

 

Looking ahead, Claudia sees herself growing within Hatch, mentoring others, and continuing to take on complex, high-profile projects.

 

Camille Dominguez, regional director of Water for our USA and South America regions, has dedicated her career to water infrastructure and environmental restoration projects. Her passion for meaningful work led her to specialize in the Everglades restoration, a focus she’s maintained throughout her career.

 

At Hatch, Camille leads major projects like the SR71 Spillway Replacement and the Biscayne Bay Southeastern Everglades Restoration, collaborating with teams across Canada, South Africa, Colombia, and the USA.

 

Mentorship has been a cornerstone of her journey. She honors the late Luis Casado, a respected leader in industrial water and a longtime friend she knew even before joining Hatch. His guidance left a lasting effect on her leadership approach. She also credits Bruce MacKay, her managing director and mentor, whose deep understanding of Hatch’s culture and commitment to living the manifesto have been instrumental in her professional development.

 

Her advice to young women in engineering? “Speak up. Don’t wait to check every box before going after what you want. There are many things that you're not going to be 100% fit for, because if you are, you're not growing. So, speak up about things you want to learn.”

 

Looking ahead, Camille is focused on expanding Hatch’s water resources capabilities and continuing to build high-influenced, innovative teams.

 

Specializing in communications infrastructure, Martha Montes is a specialist engineer in our Project Delivery Group (PDG). Her decades of experience, a passion for learning, and a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of engineers makes her a role model for women in the industry.

 

After moving from Cuba to Canada in 2011, she earned her P.Eng. in 2018 and has since worked across multiple sectors, including mining and transit infrastructure. Her technical expertise and collaborative mindset have made her a valued contributor on a wide range of projects. Currently, she is leading the design of network infrastructure and CCTV systems for Jansen stage 2. “I love working in teams,” she says. “Communication is essential, and women bring strong collaboration and passion to engineering.”

 

 Her decision to pursue engineering was driven by a desire to improve both herself and the world around her. She believes diverse teams are key to solving global challenges like climate change, as they bring broader perspectives and innovative solutions.

 

Mentorship is a central part of her role at Hatch. She credits her husband, also an engineer and long-time collaborator, as a key mentor in her life. Now, she mentors junior team members, including recent graduates from non-telecommunications backgrounds. “I love teaching,” she says. “I learn from them too, it’s a rewarding exchange.”