International Women in Engineering Day: Voices from RS&H

International Women in Engineering Day is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible work that women engineers do and encourage the next generation to consider engineering careers.  

At RS&H, we’re proud to have many engineers whose talent and leadership help shape our projects, teams, and communities every day, some of whom just happen also to be women. So, here’s to all the engineers who are making strides daily toward a brighter future. To celebrate the significance engineers have on society, not just today, but every day, we sat down with six of our engineering associates to learn more about their journeys, what drives their passion for engineering, and their advice for those considering a career in this impactful field.  

Keep reading to hear from:  

Janie Tiedeman, Senior Vice President, Infrastructure 

Brooke Kanas, Mechanical Engineer Associate 

Min Faye Chua, Electrical Engineer 

Nicole Nasi, Engineer, Aviation 

Allie Byndas, Electrical Engineering Associate  

Nikki Brom, Area Discipline Leader, Water Resources

What is your perspective on being a woman in engineering? 

Janie: Being a woman in our industry means I have an obligation to bring my unique and individual perspective to work every day so I can help my clients, and my team achieve success. It means I want to be an advocate for inclusion and belonging, which I have been since I was in college when I was one of only three women in my graduating class of civil engineers. And it means I get to support many organizations that advocate for women in our industry, as a volunteer, which is so rewarding.    

Brooke: Being a woman in engineering is empowering because it’s a male-dominated industry. I believe that women bring a unique vibrancy and depth to the field. We often approach problems with different strategies and perspectives than our male counterparts, and that diversity of thought leads to stronger, more innovative solutions. Being part of a profession where I can help break stereotypes and pave the way for other women makes me proud and motivated every day.   

Min Faye: Being a woman in engineering means representing an underrepresented group and bringing different perspectives to solving real-life problems. I hope to encourage aspiring young women to pursue careers in engineering and STEM and serve as an example that they, too, can do it.   

Allie: To me, being a woman in engineering is about more than just the work—I feel like I’m part of a much bigger shift toward the representation of women in engineering. I truly enjoy and feel proud of the work I do. Solving complex problems is something I have always felt accomplished in achieving. However, I have had moments where I’ve been the only woman in the room, and that can be intimidating, but it also motivates me. I hope that by showing up and doing what I love, I can help make it easier for the next generation of young women to see themselves in this field, too.    

Nikki: Being a woman in engineering means showing up fully as myself in spaces that historically haven’t always reflected a wide range of voices and helping to open those spaces for others. It’s about bringing both technical expertise and lived experience to complex challenges, knowing that strong solutions often come from diverse teams and perspectives. It also means building teams where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow. For me, it’s not just about doing the work, it’s contributing to a culture where others can thrive, feel ownership in their careers, and see a path forward.

What inspired you to be an engineer?   

Janie: I sort of fell into engineering after starting my college career as a math major in a pre-med program. Once I switched to engineering in my junior year, I knew I had found my forever career. My natural instinct is to work as part of a team to solve problems, communicate effectively with everyone, and give back to my community. Being an engineer has allowed me to do all of this, plus develop many critical professional and life skills. I’m so grateful to have worked for many incredible leaders in our industry who have pushed me to take stretch assignments and raise my hand for promotions over the years. They all inspire me.   

Brooke: My love for problem-solving and working with a team inspired me to be an engineer. Having played sports growing up and in college, I wanted to have the same problem-solving and collaboration I had as an athlete in my career. Engineering allows me to continue doing both. 

Min Faye: I have always been rather good at math and science subjects in school, and engineering is a great way to apply what you learn to real-life problems. I liked that as an engineer, you are able to work on a wide variety of projects, and it’s a fun challenge to solve these different problems. Furthermore, both my parents are electrical engineers, and while they supported me in any career choice, I admired the work they did and wanted to follow in their footsteps.    

Nicole: My parents were certainly the first people who inspired me to be an engineer. My dad is a civil engineer, and I have always admired the work he does and the impact on the community he has because of it. Growing up, I loved building things, learning, and playing team sports, and my parents were always my biggest supporters of those. They never made me think that being a woman in STEM was unusual- just that it was another path I could confidently pursue. Thanks to them, I got to where I am now, and what keeps me here is my love of working with a team to solve problems and impact our communities in a positive way.   

Allie: My mom played a big role in introducing me to STEM careers as a child. I was always great at math, but wasn’t sure what I wanted to be when I grew up. I was very involved in Girl Scouts and attended a few STEM-focused summer camps early on. When I was about 13 years old, my mom invited me to attend a “Women of Influence” luncheon with the Tampa Bay Chamber. I remember how inspired I was hearing other women speak on their careers as engineers, and I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up. Today, through RS&H, I have had the opportunity to be involved in the Tampa Chamber’s Emerging Leaders program and was able to attend the same Women of Influence luncheon this past March, with my mom as my guest. It was a very full-circle moment for me in my career, and I was grateful to be able to share it with her. 

Nikki: Like a lot of people, I started college not entirely sure what I wanted to do. I began in business school, but quickly realized I was bored — and I’ve learned that boredom doesn’t work well for me. I switched to engineering, and in my very first class, Engineering 101, I remember feeling challenged for the first time and I was hooked. It was inspiring. I felt like I was shining in a way I was always meant to — finally able to be smart, creative, decisive, and methodical all at once.  

As I advanced in my career, I became drawn to how infrastructure directly impacts people’s lives and communities. My eyes were, and continue to be, open to how much drainage specifically affects livelihoods, public safety, and the way our cities grow. Water resources fascinates me because it’s both highly technical and deeply connected to people — managing flood risk, protecting property, and designing for the future all require thoughtful, creative solutions. Being able to do work that’s both challenging and meaningful is what continues to inspire me every day.

What is your advice for the next generation of female engineers?   

Janie: My advice is to find a way to stay true to yourself and your core values but still commit to doing what you say you’ll do. It’s important to share your goals as well as your limits with your leaders so you can craft the career you want, which will be different for everyone. Growing professionally is a never-ending journey, and surrounding yourself with good mentors and advocates is important for everyone. One of my biggest joys as an engineer is being able to mentor other professionals and help them navigate the complex choices we have all had to face.   

Brooke: Don’t be intimidated by the industry. Yes, engineering can be tough, but nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. Your voice, perspective, and contributions matter and will help reshape the future of engineering.   

Min Faye: Have belief and confidence in yourself! Be open to new experiences and take them as an opportunity to learn and grow.   

Nicole: My advice would be to be confident in the voice you bring to every project and conversation. Each person brings a unique and valuable perspective, and yours doesn’t have to fit in the traditional mold to make an impact. 

Allie: The best word of advice I can give the next generation of female engineers is to trust that you belong. Finding confidence in yourself and your capabilities will take you far. Allow yourself the opportunity to continue to grow and learn. Engineering is a career focused on problem-solving and overcoming challenges, so it is entirely normal to feel challenged at points. Every challenge you overcome helps build a stronger path for those who come after you.   

Nikki: Own your space and trust your voice. You belong here. Engineering needs your perspective, your creativity, and your leadership. Speak up, ask questions, and advocate for your ideas, even when it feels uncomfortable. What I’ve learned, and when I’ve been happiest in my career, is when I’ve brought my full, real self to work and claimed that space unapologetically.  

You don’t have to fit anyone else’s mold of what an engineer should look or sound like. You can be technical, decisive, collaborative, empathetic, and strong all at once. That’s not only allowed, it’s powerful. And when you lead with authenticity, you create space for others to do the same.  

Surround yourself with people who support you, challenge you, and want to see you succeed — both mentors and peers. Your voice matters. Your work matters. And this profession is better because you’re in it.