“If we support and encourage each other, we can change the world,” comments Timm. Active in the industry for 18 years, she notes that when she commenced her career, there were very few women engineers. “The industry has evolved over the past 20 years, but it can still be a challenge to be taken seriously as a woman in engineering.”
The Women in Construction Forum & Awards align with Goal 5 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Goal 5 highlights the positive socioeconomic impact of a gender-balanced workforce by showcasing the female professionals who excel in their role, and the companies with a proven track record of implementing positive change to push the industry forward in equality and representation. The awards are open to female professionals and companies who operate in the Middle East, Africa and the South Asian construction industry.
Timm has a master’s degree in structural engineering from the University of Stellenbosch, has won the CESA (Consulting Engineers South Africa) Mentor of the Year 2019 and was recognised by SAPSA (South African Professional Services Awards) as Professional Woman of the Year 2019/20. She has co-authored numerous papers and articles and worked on a wide range of multi-award-winning buildings projects, from power stations to commercial office blocks. She is currently the technical lead for Aecom Structures in the Gauteng office. She combines her technical knowledge with empathy and understanding and is a highly-regarded mentor and leader in her field.
“We cannot, as women, complain that the world does not provide us with opportunities on a silver platter. We cannot expect others to do the footwork and just reap the rewards. Each and every one of us must be the absolute best we can be in order to prove the naysayers wrong,” asserts Timm.
“People are now used to having women in the industry, which helps. There is still bias, but every additional female in the field helps change attitudes."
