Member Article

Whitley Bay engineer named as one of most influential women in engineering

Meshi Taka, principal engineer of Stockton on Tees and Newcastle-based AECOM has been announced as one of the top 100 most influential women in the engineering sector.

Meshi graduated from the University of Bradford with a BEng (Hons) in civil and structural engineering. 15 years later, Meshi is now a Chartered civil engineer and member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (MICE). she is the Fairness, Inclusion and Respect lead on the ICE North East Regional Committee. In 2018, she was Best Woman Civil Engineer of the Year finalist at the European Women In Construction & Engineering Awards.

Meshi is also a speaker and ambassador committed to supporting women in engineering and girls in STEM working alongside engineering organisations such as ICE and Women’s Engineering Society. Meshi has been working closely with schools in the region, engaging with and empowering girls. She uses her personal journey to show them that they too can be part of the industry.

The list of influential female engineers, which is produced by Inclusive Boards, in partnership with the Financial Times, will be officially released at the Inclusive Boards: Women in Engineering Leadership conference on 22 October.

Elizabeth Oni-Iyiola, development director of Inclusive Boards, said: “Engineers have an impact on almost every area of our day to day lives. Meshi and those featured today are role models who inspire those around them and demonstrate leadership and influence in the work that they do.”

On the announcement, Meshi Taka said: “Having more diverse and inclusive workplaces is vital to dealing with predicted future skill shortages in the engineering industry.

“As an engineer and ambassador, I am helping the change the narrative of what engineering means today, helping to break down stereotypes which can prevent the inflow of diverse skills into the industry.

“I am inspired by Dorothy Buchanan, the first female member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) who said, ‘I felt that I represented all the women in the world. It was my hope that I would be followed by many others.’

“I hope, just like Dorothy, to be followed by many others.” Penny Marshall, the ICE’s regional director for the North East, said: “Meshi is a first rate engineer whose position on this list is much deserved. It is incumbent upon all of us women in the engineering profession do all we can to inspire and support the next, and growing generation of influential female engineers.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by News Gathering .