Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day!
At Walls Construction, we’re proud to recognise the talented women who bring innovation, precision, and expertise to every stage of the construction process, from planning and design to on-site execution.
Thank you for breaking barriers, driving progress, and inspiring the next generation of women in engineering and construction!
Gráinne O’ Reilly
Graduate Building Services Engineer
1. What first inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
“I was inspired to pursue a career in engineering because my favourite subjects in school were maths, physics, and applied maths. I have always been interested in understanding how things work and how things are made, sparking my initial interest in pursuing engineering as a career. I grew up loving jigsaw puzzles and riddles which helped develop problem solving skills which are inherent in engineering.”
2. What obstacles have you encountered along your journey into engineering, and how did you overcome them?
“When I graduated college and starting working professionally, I struggled with confidence in a male-dominated industry. To overcome this, I attended company events to meet other female in the construction industry. I’ve made close friend sin the company from other departments such as civil engineering and health and safety.”
3. If you could give your younger self advice about preparing for an engineering career, what would it be, particularly in terms of skills, experiences, or mindset?
“I would tell my younger yourself to ask more questions, be more curious of how things are made and how they work. I would tell myself that any experience is good experience; the technical side of engineering is only half the industry, the other half is filled with teamwork, management, communication and resilience.”
4. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about your current role as an engineer?
“Working in construction can be very rewarding because everyday you witness your work as physical change and having real-world impact. There are constant challenges to be faced and problems to be solved which makes it all the more satisfying. Coming from a very technical degree into construction results in a lot of learning as I try to relate technical topics and theories to real-life. Teamwork is an important part of construction and it is fulfilling when everyone comes together to work as a team and get the job over the line.”
5. Who have been your most influential engineering role models, whether from school, within your company, or beyond, and what qualities do you admire in them?
“My thesis supervisor was instrumental in my final year of college and his leadership and mentoring still benefit me over a year later. My dad inspires and drives me to be a better engineer as he is always asking questions and learning about new topics and gaining a deeper understanding of studied subjects.”
6. In your view, how can engineering professionals serve as more effective role models for the next generation?
“Hearing struggles and difficulties that engineering professionals have faced and how they overcame inspires young engineers whilst making them more relatable and therefore a more effective role model. The next generation needs to hear that all successful engineers were not always successful – they too were beginners at some stage and had to face challenges and learn from mistakes to develop.”
7. Have you taken part in any initiatives, mentoring, or outreach efforts to encourage others, especially young people or women – to explore careers in engineering? If so, could you share an example?
“I gave a presentation to first year college students when I was doing my master’s degree to encourage them to study mechanical engineering and give them an overview of what to expect if they do. I would like to be more involved in initiatives supporting women in engineering in an attempt to grow the encourage women to study engineering and progress the industry toward a more gender balanced status.”
Hafsa Alghazi
Graduate Engineer
1. What first inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
“I found myself fascinated by the practical side of problem-solving and the ability to turn ideas into real-world solutions. What truly inspired me to pursue engineering, however, was seeing the tangible impact that well-designed infrastructure and innovation could have on communities.”
2. What obstacles have you encountered along your journey into engineering, and how did you overcome them?
“As a female site engineer, one of the main challenges I’ve faced is overcoming assumptions in a male-dominated environment. I addressed this by staying confident in my skills, being proactive on site, and consistently delivering quality work. Over time, this helped build trust and shift perceptions, while also encouraging a more inclusive culture for others entering the field.”
3. If you could give your younger self advice about preparing for an engineering career, what would it be, particularly in terms of skills, experiences, or mindset?
“I’d tell my younger self to focus just as much on communication and confidence as on technical skills. Engineering is as much about teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving as it is about design and calculations. I’d also encourage seeking out site experience early – it teaches you things no classroom can. Most importantly, don’t be intimidated by being the only woman in the room – your perspective is valuable.”
4. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about your current role as an engineer?
“What I find most fulfilling is seeing a project come to life. Watching something that started as drawings on paper become a real, tangible structure. Being part of that process, solving problems on site, and knowing that my work directly contributes to something lasting and functional gives me a strong sense of purpose and pride.”
5. Who have been your most influential engineering role models, whether from school, within your company, or beyond, and what qualities do you admire in them?
“My uncle has been my engineering role model. He educated and encouraged me to get in the construction industry as he was a civil engineer himself. His passion and enthusiasm towards engineering is what pushed me to become an engineer. I aspire to be as enthusiastic and proud in engineering as he was.”
6. In your view, how can engineering professionals serve as more effective role models for the next generation?
“I think engineers can be better role models by simply being more visible and open about their own journeys—especially the challenges, not just the successes. Whether it’s mentoring, talking to students, or just sharing what the job’s really like, it helps make engineering feel more real and accessible. And showing that there’s space for all kinds of people in this field is key to inspiring the next generation.”
7. Have you taken part in any initiatives, mentoring, or outreach efforts to encourage others, especially young people or women—to explore careers in engineering? If so, could you share an example?
“I’ve done a number of presentations for school kids and young females, demonstrating a day of a life as an engineer. Hoping to encourage them to get into the construction industry and ignore the stereotype of a male-dominated industry. I’ve also had a number of student engineers that I had to mentor on site, educating and encouraging them to be passionate about engineering.”
Luiziana Amerio
Senior Planner
1. What first inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
“Engineering has always been part of my life. My dad’s an engineer, and he’s always been a big influence on me. I was fascinated by how quickly things move on-site and how something can start as just a drawing and turn into something real and lasting. What really grabbed me, though, was planning. It’s like the glue that holds the whole thing together. I love being that link between the design and the final build, making sure everything stays on track and comes to life as it should. That connection is what keeps me passionate about what I do.”
2. What obstacles have you encountered along your journey into engineering, and how did you overcome them?
“Engineering is still a male-dominated field, but I’ve never let that be something that defines my experience. I see myself as an equal and I’ve always approached my work by being proactive, available to the team, and doing my best to add value. I’ve built great relationships by being flexible and showing up with the right attitude. Most of the time, I honestly feel like one of the lads, and I don’t mean that I try to blend in, but that I’ve always felt respected because I focus on the outcome. At Walls, I’ve always felt supported as a woman. It’s a place where people are treated fairly, equally, where inclusion is real, and women are given space to grow and lead.”
3. If you could give your younger self advice about preparing for an engineering career, what would it be, particularly in terms of skills, experiences, or mindset?
“I’d tell her not to worry so much about being perfect. Be open to learning. You’ll make mistakes — we all do — but that’s how you grow. Bring your curiosity, resilience, and a positive mindset to the table. And don’t underestimate the power of soft skills. Being able to listen, organise, and keep a calm head in tricky situations can make a huge difference. I’d also remind her that we all have something unique to bring. You don’t have to act like anyone else, just show up, be kind, be consistent, and keep learning. Engineering can be fast, demanding, and full of pressure, but it’s also full of opportunity and purpose, and at Walls, you’ll always find people who want to help you grow.”
4. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about your current role as an engineer?
“For me, it’s the pace, the variety, and the people. Every project has its own story, and no two days are the same. I love being in the middle of it all, coordinating with different teams, solving problems, and helping everything come together. It’s a great feeling when a project wraps up successfully, when the client is happy, the team is proud, and we know we’ve delivered something great. Being part of that journey, knowing I helped make it happen — that’s what makes the job so rewarding.”
5. Who have been your most influential engineering role models, and what qualities do you admire in them?
“I’ve been really lucky to work with people who believed in me, people who gave me space to try, trusted me to make decisions, and guided me when I needed it. The best leaders I’ve worked with have always had emotional intelligence, humility, and patience. They weren’t loud or controlling, they supported me, challenged me when I needed it, and let me learn by doing. Those kinds of people leave a lasting impression. They’ve shaped how I try to lead now, with empathy, encouragement, and trust.”
6. In your view, how can engineering professionals serve as more effective role models for the next generation?
“I think it starts with being real. People relate to you more when you’re honest and human, when you’re not pretending to have all the answers. A good role model makes space for others to learn, make mistakes, and grow without fear of being judged. It’s not about having all the knowledge, it’s about showing up, supporting your team, and helping others build confidence in their own way. If we can lead with openness and empathy, we help build the kind of environment where people feel safe to try and that’s where real growth happens.”
7. Have you taken part in mentoring or outreach efforts to encourage others — especially women — to explore careers in engineering?
“Yes — mentoring is something I am really passionate about. After completing a leadership course with Walls and UCD, I’ve been mentoring others more actively. I love helping people think about where they want to go and how to get there. I try not to give answers, but to ask the right questions and let them explore their own way forward. It’s so fulfilling to watch someone grow in confidence and start mentoring others too, that ripple effect is powerful. Walls is a brilliant place for women. We’re involved in so many areas, from commercial and residential to healthcare, education, and now expanding into Food & Beverage and Data Centres. These are exciting, high-growth areas with so much opportunity. If you’re a woman considering a career in engineering, there’s space here for you to build, lead, and thrive.”
Jude McCoy
Graduate Engineer
1. What first inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
“My Dad first inspired me to pursue a career in engineering as ever since I was young he brought me to the sites he worked on and I got to see what it was like working on a construction site.”
2. What obstacles have you encountered along your journey into engineering, and how did you overcome them?
“In my journey into engineering I have encountered a number of obstacles the main obstacle being connecting the theory of engineering into real world problems. I always found it hard to concentrate when learning the theory side of engineering in university but I overcame this as my university had a placement requirement. Joining Walls Construction for my placement allowed me to use the theory I had learned and apply the knowledge for on site problems.”
3. If you could give your younger self advice about preparing for an engineering career, what would it be, particularly in terms of skills, experiences, or mindset?
“I would tell my younger self to not only focus on the theory side of engineering but to focus on how you can present the theory ideas simply and to work well with others.”
4. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about your current role as an engineer?
“I find working with all the different sub contractors on site the most fulfilling and rewarding part of my role as engineer. Working closely and listening to each other allows me to learn from the sub contractors knowledge about specific trades. Working together also helps overcome problems we may face on site.”
5. Who have been your most influential engineering role models, whether from school, within your company, or beyond, and what qualities do you admire in them?
“Saoirse Gavin has been an engineering role model for me since I have joined Walls as a graduate engineer. I admire how hard she works and how she always has time to answer any questions I may have and help me learn how to deal with on site problems. She is also very kind and makes sure as women on site that we are treated with the same respect as the rest of our peers.”
6. In your view, how can engineering professionals serve as more effective role models for the next generation?
“Allow the younger generation to gain more hands on experience. Its hard to describe exactly what engineers do, so instead of describing let them see for themselves.”
Saoirse Gavin
Senior Site Engineer
1. What first inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
“I always had a curiously for understanding how things worked. I also had a strong love for mathematics, so a career in engineering seemed the obvious choice.”
2. What obstacles have you encountered along your journey into engineering, and how did you overcome them?
“One of the main obstacles I encountered was bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. In college, we spent a lot of time focusing on the theoretical side of engineering — which was helpful for building a foundation. However, when I began working in construction, I gained great practical experience.”
3. If you could give your younger self advice about preparing for an engineering career, what would it be, particularly in terms of skills, experiences, or mindset?
“I would tell myself learn how to work effectively with others as early as possible as it’s just as important as your technical skills. I’d also tell myself that listening matters as much as contributing – a great way to gain knowledge is from listening to people more experienced than you.”
4. What do you find most fulfilling or rewarding about your current role as an engineer?
“I find it very rewarding to see the quantitative outcome of the work put in – each week you can see the project take physical shape and progress.”
5. Who have been your most influential engineering role models and what qualities do you admire in them?
“Dr Hollie Moore – a dear friend I completed my college studies with, who went on to complete a PhD in Structural Dynamics. Hollie is not only gifted academically but she has a wonderful way of sharing her knowledge when it comes to all things related to structural engineering.”
6. In your view, how can engineering professionals serve as more effective role models for the next generation?
“I believe visibility is so important – participating in outreach programs, such as visiting schools, and speaking about what your role as an Engineer involves. Often, young people don’t pursue engineering simply because they don’t understand what it is or don’t see people who look like them in the field.”
7. Have you taken part in any initiatives, mentoring, or outreach efforts to encourage others, especially young people or women—to explore careers in engineering? If so, could you share an example?
“Yes – I have been part of the Steam Education – Engineering in A Box programme a number of times, in which I would guide a teacher and their class through engineering challenges and activities over a 10-week period.”