Stantec Principal takes home Female Leadership award
“I think leadership is using the platform that you have to inspire the best in other people.”
PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Stantec were well represented at the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) WA chapter awards dinner, which was held at Crown Perth on Saturday night, 15 September.
Civil Project Engineer Vivienne Edwards was presented with the 2018 Women in Leadership Award, with four Stantec projects also recognised in a variety of development categories.
Vivienne’s leadership was commended following her impressive career progression and commitment to mentoring other young professionals, particularly young women looking to create their own path within the industry.
Vivienne has volunteered hours of her time to the organisation’s Talent Development Program, Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) working group, as well as the environmental committee – all while juggling her duties as mother to two-year-old son, Archie.
“I feel overwhelmed to receive this award and what it acknowledges,” Vivienne said.
“Saturday night I couldn’t walk two steps without someone stopping me and saying congratulations. It presents such an exciting career opportunity for me and is great recognition for my passion projects.”
Graduating with a double degree in civil engineering and commerce, Vivienne has spent her entire professional career with Stantec – starting with the firm on vacation work.
“Stantec have been incredibly supportive. The opportunities that I’ve been given since first joining the firm on vacation work are countless. It’s crazy to think what I’ve been able to achieve over the last 12 years,” she said.
“I’d only been here for a couple of years when I was asked to organise our office move to 226 Adelaide Terrace. Being given that opportunity to be able to tell directors and the CEO where they would be sitting, what the new office would look like, was awesome and it was totally outside my normal role as a civil project engineer.
“From a young age I was invited to the table and I’ve made the most of those opportunities.”
Vivienne admits hard work was instilled in her from a young age, with her own working mother providing a strong role model to look up to.
“Growing up my mum was definitely my biggest mentor. She’s always instilled in me that I can do whatever I want and that gender would never be a barrier,” she said.
“She’s such a hard worker, she’s passionate about what she does, and she’s been so successful in her own career. I’d like to think that I’m the same.
“Jermayne Fabling and Amy Detata are also the reason that I’m at Stantec in the first place. They’ve believed in me, championed me and given me so many opportunities, such as becoming Principal.”
While juggling her work as a respected project engineer, Vivienne has been involved in some prestigious and renown projects, such as Karratha City Centre, the Glades by Byford and the Edge, Baldivis.
But with a need to “always be busy to stay motivated”, Vivienne has also thrown her support behind passion projects.
“My mother has always instilled in me you look after others and you look after the environment. You may be in a fortunate position, but you make the most of that,” Vivienne said.
“Anything I do in terms of mentoring young women in the industry you could say that I have a vested interest, because the more women at the table the better it is for me. But that’s why I think doing the RAP was so nice because I had no immediate personal investment.
“If I can help to make a difference, and Stantec are going to support me in doing that, then why wouldn’t I? I think everyone benefits when we have more diversity around the table.”
Stantec would also like to congratulate our clients who took home 2018 UDIA WA Excellence Awards:
- Hibernian Place & The Westin Perth
Russell Perry Award for Urban Development Excellence & Retail, Commercial or Mixed Use Development
Congratulations to our clients BGC - Bushmead
Envirodevelopment Chariman’s Choice Award
Congratulations to our clients Cedar Woods - Evermore Apartments
Affordable Development Award
Congratulations to our clients Yolk Property Group - Liv Apartments
High Density Development Award
Congratulations to our clients Defence Housing Australia
