Balancing the Scales
 

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International Women’s Day is an opportunity to recognise the people strengthening our industry and to focus on the practical actions that help correct persistent gender imbalances in opportunity, representation and leadership.

This year’s “Balance the Scales” theme is a reminder that progress is built through everyday decisions: who is heard, who is supported to lead, and how we create environments where different perspectives improve outcomes.

Across Holcim, women are contributing to stronger performance, innovation and collaboration in roles spanning engineering, operations, technical services and data analytics. Their perspectives help teams solve problems more effectively and ensure decisions are informed by a broader range of experience and expertise.
 

Practical improvement that people can feel

For Nicola Chartrand, Depot Manager at Lyttelton, New Zealand, impact comes from continuous improvement that people can see in their day-to-day work: “I’m driven by continuous improvement, identifying inefficiencies, fixing them, and implementing practical solutions that make the business run better.”

In her role supporting depot operations and logistics, Nicola focuses on ensuring improvements translate into safer operations, clearer processes and better outcomes for the wider team. She was recognised as a “Values Champion” in the 2026 Holcim Excellence Awards for her focus on lifting operational standards across Holcim’s depots in New Zealand.
 

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Diverse thinking that strengthens decisions

In technical environments, better decisions often emerge when different perspectives are brought into the conversation early.

Lourdes Sanchez, Technical Manager for NSW/ACT Concrete, has seen how fresh viewpoints can challenge assumptions and unlock better solutions: “In our industry, it’s easy to get comfortable with ‘the way we’ve always done it.’ I’ve found that the best breakthroughs happen when we mix different points of view and professional experiences.”

For Ruwanika Rajapakshage, Senior Structural Engineer at Humes, diverse thinking is especially valuable during the early stages of engineering design: “I find this most evident when liaising with production and estimation teams during early design stages. By integrating their practical insights, we often develop innovative solutions that enhance both safety and efficiency.”

Engineering impact comes from turning complex requirements into safe, buildable solutions, she explains. Her work covers everything from optimisation to structural integrity, ensuring designs meet rigorous standards while supporting sustainable infrastructure outcomes. “I love the tangibility of the work. My calculations and numerical models don’t just stay on a screen. They become the roads, bridges and stormwater management solutions that define our infrastructure.”
 

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Turning expertise into outcomes

Across Holcim, technical roles connect analysis, materials science and engineering with practical outcomes in production and construction.

Kate Klem, Business Intelligence Analyst, focuses on helping teams understand the foundations behind data-driven decision-making: “There is so much noise around AI and ‘data-driven’ everything. What sits behind the hype is a foundation that, if not managed correctly, is detrimental to the outcome.”

By building confidence in data literacy across the organisation, Kate helps teams turn complex information into practical insights that support stronger decisions.

Viviana Ruiz, Technical Specialist, works closely with operations teams to translate technical ideas into solutions that can be implemented on site. As part of an engaged technical team, she focuses on ensuring improvements in materials and processes deliver real value in day-to-day production: “I feel I make the most impact by making things happen on the ground. As a Technical Specialist within a lean team, I bridge the gap between theory and practice. Technical ideas only bring value if they can be implemented.”

In the engineering space, Amalia Mendoza, Design Engineering Team Lead at Humes, works with her team to streamline structural design processes and support efficient project delivery: “I make a tangible difference by leading my team to find innovative design solutions that streamline our technical processes and keep our projects moving forward effectively.”
 

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Growth that builds confidence and lifts others

“Balancing the Scales” also means creating environments where people are supported to grow, develop new skills and take on leadership opportunities.

Kate highlights the importance of organisations actively supporting professional development: “Holcim has consistently created an environment where development is encouraged, visible and accessible, with leaders that actively advocate for skill development.”

For Lourdes, supporting growth now includes mentoring the next generation of technical specialists, particularly women entering traditionally male-dominated fields: “After 28 years at Holcim, I still have my first-day passion, now backed by deep experience. Our biggest impact isn't just the infrastructure we supply, but the people we build. I can make a difference by mentoring our next generation of technical specialists as a woman in a male-dominated industry.”

Having worked in different countries earlier in her career, Viviana says that experience has strengthened her adaptability and problem-solving approach: “Working in different countries made me more adaptable and resourceful, and those technical skills now shape how I approach challenges every day.”
 

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Balancing the scales through everyday action

Balancing the scales is not a one-day conversation. It is built through daily behaviours, practical decisions and systems that create fair access to opportunity.

At Holcim, we are committed to building a workplace where talent is nurtured, diversity is celebrated, people are engaged and health and safety is always the priority. When everyone is supported to contribute fully, performance improves and progress accelerates.