As the world marks this year’s International Women’s Day, we’ve been shining a spotlight on just some of the many inspirational #womenofweir and initiatives that make our business a place where everyone’s voice is heard.
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is #ChooseToChallenge and it’s a message that’s echoed in the stories of the colleagues we have profiled. Whether it’s challenging stereotypes by succeeding in sectors once dominated by men, or challenging themselves to rise to new challenges, they are all examples of putting that idea into practice.
Our series started with Tayo Oyinlola, Group Head Internal Audit. Through her commitment to mentoring others, Tayo is empowering women to find the confidence to succeed and fulfil their potential to do the best work of their lives. With her support, they’re challenging the mindset that may have held them back.
Tayo believes that everyone should be encouraged to speak up and that we can all play a part in making a positive difference. It means challenging ourselves and our behaviour to make sure we’re all creating a truly inclusive workplace. She said: “When you hear different perspectives, it encourages and breeds innovation. When we get everyone’s ideas we can see the bigger picture and consider things we might not have thought of before.”
We have incredible #womenofweir at all levels of the business, including rising stars who are the leaders of tomorrow.
Vilencia Parsaraman, a Junior Process Engineer at Weir Minerals in Johannesburg, shared her dreams of making her mark on the mining industry. She joined Weir after being named one of the top 100 students in South Africa and her drive and dedication means she has an exciting future ahead. Vilencia relishes the challenges of being a woman in a traditionally male environment, saying: “I’ve used it as motivation to push myself forward, work harder and gain the confidence of my colleagues. My attitude is not to expect opportunities but to ‘write my story’ so that there is no room for missed opportunities.”
Srilakshmi Dasari is another of the #womenofweir who are already making their mark early in their career. The Software Asset Administrator works at Weir EnSci in India and is proud to be one of our Inclusion and Diversity Ambassadors. Srilakshmi remembers being outnumbered by male colleagues at other companies and joined the initiative so she could make a difference for other women in the industry. “It’s great to see women in leadership positions at Weir,” she said. “It inspires everyone.”
Our #womenofweir can be found crossing the globe as they lead new initiatives and drive positive change. Engineer Karina Zevallos is now Managing Director of Weir Minerals in Peru and previously spent time running a major project in China. She is also one of the Directors of Women in Mining in Peru, an organisation providing advice and guidance for female workers in the industry. Karina said: “If I can change the life of just one woman in a positive way with what I do and say then I would feel rewarded.”
Angela Wang is another of the #womenofweir leading the way in China. As Managing Director of Weir Minerals China, she has introduced new channels of communication with her teams to make sure everyone feels they’re being heard and she’s also one of the founding members of our Global Inclusion and Diversity Steering Committee. Angela said: “We’re committed to creating an environment which is equally conducive to the progression of both men and women.”
One quality all our #womenofweir share is their enthusiasm for a new challenge. Anna Thames, Vice President, Global Operations, at Weir ESCO, has seized the opportunities that have come her way – however daunting they may have seemed – and advises others to put their hand up and take a risk. As a senior leader she is actively involved in the Weir Women’s Network, supporting women and making things better for everyone plus as a member of Weir’s Inclusion & Diversity Steering Committee this has enabled her to ensure every voice is heard. “We each have a part to play in making change,” said Anna.
Group Financial Controller Kirsten McCargo has seen many changes during her 24 years at Weir, including the challenge of inclusion and diversity as the business has grown. She said: “More than half of my team are women, all of them are incredibly talented and many are relatively early in their careers and I want to make sure they all have the opportunity to reach their full potential. I think Weir is a place they can do that.”
Our final #womenofweir profile featured Senior Independent Director Barbara Jeremiah. Her wealth of expertise and experience meant she wasn’t shaken by the global crisis caused by Covid-19 and she is a role model for other women in business. Her advice is clear: “There is no one who will care about your career and your success more than you will. You’ve got to own it. Think about what you want to accomplish.”
The #womenofweir we’ve celebrated are just some of the many dedicated colleagues working every day, across all levels, to make our business a place where everyone is accepted and you can bring your whole self to work. On International Women’s Day and beyond, they’re an example of the positive change that can happen when we all #ChooseToChallenge and call out gender bias and inequity.
