Engineering Futures for Women

Hosted in collaboration between, the Technical Groups and Branches and The Diversity Agenda of Engineering New Zealand, this event brings together women working across engineering disciplines, students, emerging professionals, and industry leaders for an evening of connection, inspiration, and shared experiences.

The programme will begin with an opportunity to network with peers and industry professionals, followed by a series of fast-paced presentations from women across a range of engineering backgrounds and career stages. Hosted by Tania Williams, the evening will feature four presentations:

• Tania Williams
• Jenni Tipler
• Petra O'Bery
• Katerina Howard

Together, the speakers will share their career journeys, challenges, successes, and perspectives on navigating and shaping the engineering profession.

This collaborative event aims to celebrate the achievements of women in engineering, increase visibility of engineering career pathways, and encourage greater participation and engagement across the industry and wider community. Connecting audiences across multiple locations, we hope to strengthen relationships, showcase the diversity of our engineering community, and create meaningful conversations that continue beyond the event itself.

Open to everyone with an interest in our industry, whether you’re a student considering engineering, just starting your engineering career, or experienced practitioner, if you're returning from a career break, exploring pathways, or supporting as an ally of any gender, this event offers an opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired. Join us to hear from wāhine across generations and build those important connections locally.

We look forward to celebrating International Women in Engineering Day with you.

Host and Presenter Bios: 
Tania Williams is Chief Engineer and General Manager Membership Services at Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau. A civil engineer and University of Canterbury graduate, Tania has more than 30 years’ experience working across New Zealand, the United States, England, and Australia. 

In her role, Tania leads teams that support members, strengthen engagement, deliver sector programmes, and provide engineers with the guidance, tools, and connections they need throughout their careers. Tania is passionate about the role engineers play in shaping safer, more resilient and better-connected communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Jenni Tipler is the Manager of Building Resilience at Wellington City Council, where she leads work on earthquake-prone building regulation and broader resilience policy for the city. She works at the intersection of engineering, policy, and public safety, shaping how Wellington manages seismic risk in its built environment. Jenni’s career spans both technical practice and government. She previously worked as a structural engineer at Beca and Novare Design, and later at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), where she managed the New Zealand Building Code team. This combination of hands-on engineering and regulatory leadership informs her approach to practical, evidence-based resilience policy.

She holds multiple degrees from the University of Auckland and completed postgraduate study in Europe and the United States, including a Master of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology undertaken on scholarship in Italy and France. She is also a Fulbright scholar, having studied at Stanford University. Jenni is actively involved in the structural engineering and resilience sectors, including through SESOC and wider national policy conversations. She is driven by the opportunity to make a tangible difference—working to create safer buildings, more resilient cities, and communities better able to withstand and recover from future events.

Petra O’Bery is a Chartered Professional Geotechnical Engineer and Recognised Engineer (PIC and DSAP) whose career has been dedicated to dam engineering and dam safety. Since joining Stantec as a summer intern, she has progressed through graduate and civil engineering roles to become a Senior Geotechnical Dams Engineer, building a strong technical foundation alongside growing leadership responsibilities.

Over the past six years, Petra has developed expertise across dam geotechnical performance assessment, embankment design and construction, contract administration, and dam safety management. Alongside her professional work, Petra has played an active role in supporting the next generation of dam engineers as Co-chair of the NZSOLD Emerging Professionals Group. Their career reflects a commitment to both technical excellence and the ongoing advancement of dam safety practice across New Zealand.

Katerina Howard is a Chartered Engineer and Senior Associate Tunnel Engineer at Delve Underground with over 20 years of international experience in tunnel design and underground construction. She has worked on major infrastructure and hydroelectric projects in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Iceland, and Hungary.

Katerina has held key leadership and designer's representative roles on landmark projects including Auckland's City Rail Link, Central Interceptor, and Mt Messenger Bypass Tunnel.

Throughout her career, Katerina has combined specialist expertise in tunnel design with hands-on construction experience, working on major underground infrastructure projects including City Rail Link, Central Interceptor, Mt Messenger Bypass, WestConnex, and the Evergreen Line. Her journey reflects the evolution from technical designer to trusted project leader, designer's representative, and mentor, leading multidisciplinary teams and taking part in delivering some of the most complex infrastructure projects across Australasia.