Whakamihi to our wāhine

15/06/2023

Downer is proud of our exceptional wāhine across the motu.

This was particularly true when four Transport wāhine were named as finalists in the 2023 National Association of Women In Construction (NAWIC) Excellence Awards.

Our extraordinary wāhine have truly showcased their talent, dedication, and collaborative spirit, setting new benchmarks in their disciplines and forging their successful pathways. Their stories stand as a testament to the remarkable contributions they’ve made in our industry and at Downer. Ngā mihi nui ki a koe!

Betty Mitrova - Outstanding Leader of the Year - Site based 

Betty. National Traffic Management Lead, is a driving force for Temporary Traffic Management in Aotearoa New Zealand. Through her leadership in TTM reforms and educational framework, involvement in complex TTM projects, a inspiring mentor and chairing of the TTM Credential Framework Governance Group, Betty actively shapes the industry’s future.  

Betty’s influence reaches into the community too. Her participation and contribution to community charity initiatives, upskilling of Māori/Pasifika and working with the Tertiary Education Commission sees Betty influence positive change in multiple settings.  

Betty Mitrova's dedication to her work and her passion for improving the safety and recognition of TTM workers is admirable and sets a high standard in the construction industry.  

“Doing what I love never gets old. Through my work in traffic management I’m blessed to have the opportunity to work with my team at Downer and a wider team of industry influencers, SMEs and genuinely passionate individuals committed to making a difference for our people out there on the roads. Being recognised through the NAWIC awards would give the Traffic Management industry an incredible boost – those who are out in hi-viz need more recognition, especially as road rage and abuse of TTM workers takes its toll – and I’d be honoured to represent them.”

– Betty Mitrova 

Mrydhinyi Krishnan - Summer Intern and finalist in the Student Excellence Award

Mrydhinyi, a fourth-year student in the construction industry, has demonstrated exceptional initiative, the ability to overcome challenges, and the potential to make a significant contribution to the field. Despite working in a male-dominated industry as a young woman, she has gained the respect and recognition of her crews by empathising with them and celebrating their achievements. She shows commitment and leadership by setting an example and making personal sacrifices to achieve what’s best for her teams.   

Mrydhinyi technical knowledge, effective management, coordination abilities, and the ability to quickly absorb information sets her apart. By actively engaging with peers, Mrydhinyi promotes the construction industry and mentor's other students. She has a talent for bringing people together, identifying individual skills, and creating opportunities. Furthermore, Mrydhinyi has a remarkable ability to motivate teams and boost morale by celebrating achievements and making small, but meaningful gestures. 

“I want to make a difference in the field of engineering and the world. I have grown tremendously from being a shy and timid young woman thanks to my experiences pursuing engineering and working on construction sites. Engineering is a fantastic and rewarding career, and I want to continue to inspire young girls to choose this male-dominated field as it has developed me to become a strong and confident leader. It would mean the world to me to become one of the NAWIC Awards finalists, as it would signify that all my efforts, enthusiasm, and aspirations have been recognised.” 

– Mrydhinyi Krishnan  

Olivia Kieser - Summer Intern and finalist in the Student Excellence Award

Olivia Kieser, a full-time Transport Infrastructure student at Auckland University, has made a significant impact during her internships at Downer. By leading complex projects and tasks, Olivia demonstrates initiative, leadership and a unique ability to positively influence those around her.  

Olivia strives to inspire future industry graduates and has become a mentor for CESA, the civil engineering club at Auckland University. She actively participates in community initiatives, such as fundraising for the Cancer Society, volunteering with the Life Education Trust and the Salvation Army, and tutoring high school students in maths and physics. Olivia's journey, dedication, and contributions make her a role model and motivator for others in the construction industry and beyond. 

“I’m so proud to be NAWIC awards finalist because it is clear recognition of my dedication and potential in my chosen field. As a young woman beginning a career in a traditionally male-dominated industry, it has been important to have female role models who showed that this was a valid pathway, and who helped guide me over the last few years.”

– Olivia Kieser 

Vicky Henderson - Laboratory Manager and finalist in Excellence in Construction Administration – Office Based

Vicky Henderson, Laboratory Manager, has made significant contributions to her field. Her efforts have improved national processes, reducing material testing time-frames and set a new standard for quality. 

Vicky's innovation includes establishing a mobile laboratory on Chatham Islands, enabling on-site asphalt, bitumen, and soils quality assurance testing. She also designed and constructed a purpose-built 40ft mobile laboratory container, allowing for quick setup and operation. The mobile laboratory has facilitated faster turnaround times and provided professional development opportunities for technicians on remote projects. 

Known for her commitment, organisation, and leadership skills, Vicky worked collaboratively with technicians to create a structured Quality Manual for our Road Science Laboratories, ensuring consistency across national laboratories. She streamlined processes, facilitated staff training, and assisted technicians in transitioning to key technical roles. Vicky's expertise extends beyond her own projects, as she serves as a Technical Expert for IANZ, sharing her knowledge and experience nationwide and contributing to the improvement of laboratory testing processes and standards across New Zealand. 

Overall, Vicky Henderson's contributions to the construction industry have been instrumental in improving collaboration, efficiency, and quality assurance in laboratory testing, benefiting the industry as a whole. 

“I entered the construction industry to try something new and stayed for the variety. No two days are the same and the constantly changing environment has given me plenty of opportunity to grow myself and my career, whilst contributing to the wider civil laboratory community along the way. I would like to be considered for the NAWIC Award for Construction Administration because I want to encourage other women to join the industry. The work that I do is highly rewarding and I have been given space to make the role my own and succeed at it with the support of the wider business.”  

– Vicky Henderson 

We wish all of our finalists the best of luck for the NAWIC awards night, and look forward to seeing your success continue!