My squiggly sustainability career journey: #MakeItBrilliant at AtkinsRéalis

Hi, I'm Zoe, Client Director for the Buildings and Places team at AtkinsRéalis in the UK. I'm excited to contribute to the #MakeItBrilliant series, where we share stories about our careers and impact. For me, making it brilliant means harnessing creativity, supporting high-performing teams, and empowering others to reach their potential. So, how did I get here? In this first part of my two-part blog, I share my career journey, challenges, and lessons I've learned in resilience and navigating complexity—with insights on fostering inclusivity. I hope these experiences inspire and resonate with you.

Engineering career stories: My path to Client Director

During the COVID-19 lockdowns, I reached an inflection point. I was spending time with my five-year-old son, nurturing his development and connecting with nature. It reignited my passion for communities, climate, and planetary health. At the time, I co-founded Wilder Sensing with innovator Geoff Carrs. I also joined adventurer Andy Middleton for a significant event at Windsor Castle inspired by Sir Partha Dasgupta's paper on biodiversity economics and 'Creating thriving places for nature and people.'

I envisioned a role with influence where I could shift mindsets, navigate complexity, and support decisions during uncertain times. AtkinsRéalis offered me the chance to lead in Local and Central Government within Buildings and Places, focusing on commitments to help communities facing climate change and the cost of living crisis.

My career has been a squiggler's journey—not a traditional climb up the corporate ladder but an organic path from workplace and retail design to global projects, project management, and consultancy. I evolved from an urban resilience expert to applying climate, health, and nature insights to regions, towns, and cities. I gained an appreciation for digital technology and digital twins.

Creativity, systems thinking, and problem-solving are part of my DNA. I thrive in team settings, supporting high performance and empowering others to reach their potential.

Overcoming barriers and advice for women pursuing engineering leadership

My early role models were men, and I overlooked the invisible barriers ahead. Reflecting on my career now, I see how the environment pushed me to prove myself in a male-dominated field. A turning point when when I realized I had adopted traits that didn't align with me. I needed to embrace my feminine power, creativity, and diverse thinking. I discovered how courage, nurturing others, and being authentic are energizing.

In my early career, the industry's culture was much less diverse than it is today at AtkinsRéalis. We have strong female peers and supportive colleagues who lift everyone up, regardless of gender, faith, or sexuality. We have open conversations that build empathy and support for our high-performing teams.

Supportive, innovative work culture at AtkinsRéalis

Creative disrupter' and 'changemaker' are terms I'm proud to own at AtkinsRéalis. The diversity of our skills drives bold, innovative solutions to complex challenges. With tools like IAND, we leverage our supply chain, forming partnerships that push boundaries.

Collaborating with health experts, academia, start-ups, and innovators sparks creative friction—where growth and transformative ideas take root. This positions us ahead, meeting community needs and anticipating trends. It's a place where your creativity thrives and makes an impact.

Read on about how we lead in sustainable digital and nature-based solutions in Part 2 of my blog: How I #MakeItBrilliant in sustainability at AtkinsRéalis.