My favourite thing about working at Northrop is the people I get to work with and the opportunity to live and work in my hometown. The ability to build meaningful relationships with both colleagues and clients keeps me passionate. The empowerment to take on significant initiatives, like establishing the Coffs Harbour office, drives me to achieve more.

I am inspired and motivated by the opportunity to create lasting, positive impacts through our engineering projects. Knowing that our work contributes to the community and the environment motivates me. I use this motivation to lead by example, fostering a team environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best. I try to share my vision and enthusiasm, with the goal to inspire my team to realise their potential.

I am passionate about surf lifesaving and am actively involved in the local Coffs Harbour Surf Club as a member of the surfboat rowing crew, and a participant in voluntary beach patrols. This involvement has taught me the importance of teamwork, resilience, and community service. These values influence my approach to my career by reinforcing the importance of collaboration, perseverance, and contributing positively to the community. We (Northrop) also support the club as active sponsors, enjoying the strong relationship and connection this creates with our local community.

The Wiigulga Sports Complex project stands out as a prime example of innovation in my career. By rethinking the structural design and collaborating closely with stakeholders, we optimized steel framing (from Tender by another consultant) to achieve a 35% reduction in steel tonnage. This not only enhanced structural efficiency but also significantly reduced material costs and construction time, showcasing my commitment to innovative engineering solutions.

A pivotal moment in my career was establishing the Coffs Harbour office for Northrop. This opportunity allowed me to apply my leadership skills, build a new team, and expand our presence in Northern NSW. The experience taught me the importance of resilience, strategic planning, and the value of strong relationships, significantly shaping my professional development and perspective.

One project that had a positive impact on the community was the West Woolgoolga (Wiigulga) Sporting Complex. This project provided much-needed recreational facilities for the local community, promoting health and wellbeing. It was gratifying to see how our engineering solutions could enhance the quality of life for residents and contribute to the community’s social fabric.