MEP Middle East

< Previouswww.mepmiddleeast.com 40 MEP Middle East | March 2025www.mepmiddleeast.com WOMEN IN MEP With 21 years of experience in the MEP sector, Hanan Kassab has become a respected leader in the design, implementation, and optimisation of utility networks. As the Director of the Distribution Subsector at Khatib & Alami, she has spearheaded major projects, including Boulevard World and Sindalah Island in Saudi Arabia, and Onne Port in Nigeria. Kassab’s technical expertise spans both dry and wet utility networks, where she has successfully delivered innovative, sustainable solutions. Reﬂ ecting on the challenges women face, Kassab states: “We often face a range of unspoken challenges that are not always openly discussed but can have a signiﬁ cant impact on our careers.” She shares about another widely faced situation, “Another subtle challenge is the balancing act between being assertive enough to be taken seriously and not being perceived as too demanding. Women often face higher scrutiny over how they present themselves, walking a ﬁ ne line between being conﬁ dent and being perceived as diffi cult.” These biases in day-to-day interactions compound over time and can create a sense of being sidelined. So how does she stay resilient while facing these challenges? “I focus on maintaining a strong sense of self belief. It is important to remind myself of my qualiﬁ cations, my experience, and the value I bring to the table.” Kassab emphasises: “Don’t hesitate to voice your thoughts and contribute your perspective. Also, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and the pressures of deadlines, but remember to prioritise your health and well-being.” HANAN KASSAB DIRECTOR KHATIB & ALAMI “Get comfortable with discomfort; it’s a sign that you are growing” MEP_Mar2025_26-59_Women in MEP_13544170.indd 4008/03/2025 15:17www.mepmiddleeast.comMarch 2025 | MEP Middle East 41 www.mepmiddleeast.com WOMEN IN MEP Anzala Asher has built a career deﬁ ned by technical expertise, innovation, and leadership in the HVAC industry. At Rheem Middle East, she has played a pivotal role in aligning the company’s product portfolio with regional and global sustainability goals. From leading the development of air conditioning products that meet stringent effi ciency standards to providing value- engineering solutions that help consultants and clients make informed decisions, Asher’s impact is tangible. Her ability to communicate complex technical concepts eff ectively has empowered over 300 professionals through training sessions and seminars in the past year alone. As an advocate for diversity in MEP, she led the UAE chapter of WiBSE from 2021 to 2023, actively working to challenge stereotypes and bridge gender disparities in the sector. “I believe, as an industry, we are becoming more aware that diverse teams bring in a unique blend of creativity, innovation, and problem-solving,” she says. However, she acknowledges the ongoing challenges women face, particularly in balancing demanding careers with personal responsibilities. “It is important for companies to implement policies that support a more balanced work-life integration,” she notes. For women entering the industry, it is easy to doubt their success and underestimate their abilities. But Asher’s advice is clear: “Believe in your skills, potential, and push beyond boundaries. The more challenges you take up, the more innovative and resilient you become.” ANZALA ASHER REGIONAL PRODUCT MANAGER RHEEM MIDDLE EAST “Master adaptability by embracing change, continuously learn, and never be afraid to step outside your comfort zone” MEP_Mar2025_26-59_Women in MEP_13544170.indd 4108/03/2025 15:18www.mepmiddleeast.com 42 MEP Middle East | March 2025www.mepmiddleeast.com WOMEN IN MEP With 17 years in the HVAC industry, Anzalna Vahab has built a career centred on technical excellence, leadership, and sustainability. At Taqeef Middle East, she has played a pivotal role in delivering energy-effi cient HVAC solutions across commercial, residential, and industrial projects. Her expertise in system design, product selection, and value engineering has enabled clients to optimise performance while meeting stringent effi ciency regulations. Beyond her technical contributions, Vahab has been a mentor and advocate, guiding HVAC professionals and championing gender diversity in a traditionally male-dominated ﬁ eld. Vahab’s passion for the industry helped her persevere in the ﬁ eld and each challenge only reinforced her determination. Her inﬂ uence extends beyond her organisation. She presented at the UNEP Joint Thematic Meeting for High-Ambient Countries in 2024, providing critical insights on sustainable refrigerant transitions. “Contributing to a global sustainability conversation was a pivotal moment in my career,” she shares. As a representative in Eurovent Middle East, she is actively involved in shaping industry policies on energy effi ciency and regulatory advancements. Reﬂ ecting on the challenges women face in the industry, she notes, “Resilience is built through experience, and growth happens when you push past the limits others set for you.” For the next generation of women in HVAC, her message is clear: “Follow your dreams, passions, and adventures with conﬁ dence—never doubt that women belong in the HVACR industry.” ANZALNA VAHAB APPLICATION MANAGER TAQEEF MIDDLE EAST “Keep pushing through tough days, learn from mistakes, and celebrate small wins along the way” MEP_Mar2025_26-59_Women in MEP_13544170.indd 4208/03/2025 15:18www.mepmiddleeast.comMarch 2025 | MEP Middle East 43 www.mepmiddleeast.com WOMEN IN MEP With over 22 years of experience in the electrical engineering ﬁ eld, Najwa Hamaideh has played an instrumental role in delivering complex, large-scale projects globally including smart cities, healthcare facilities, and mixed-use developments. Najwa’s expertise extends across electrical system design, project management, and green engineering practices, having successfully integrated energy-effi cient solutions and smart building technologies into her projects, which are designed to maximise long-term sustainability and energy optimisation. As Hamaideh reflects on her career, she shares: “Engineering is about shaping the future, so never limit your ambitions based on outdated perceptions. Stay adaptable, continue to learn, and embrace new technologies.” She is particularly proud of her pioneering eff orts in BIM leading the adoption and standardisation of BIM for electrical systems, which transformed the way projects were executed at a time when most ﬁ rms were still relying on traditional 2D methodologies. As an Autodesk Revit MEP Certified Professional, she developed standardised workflows, templates, and best practices that greatly improved project coordination, effi ciency, and quality. She advices young women to redeﬁ ne the industry and not ﬁ t in it. She says: “Establish technical expertise that stands out and always position yourself as a solutions provider.” NAJWA HAMAIDEH ASSOCIATE ELECTRICAL ENGINEER OMRANIA, A PART OF EGIS “Engineering is about shaping the future, so never limit your ambitions based on outdated perceptions.” MEP_Mar2025_26-59_Women in MEP_13544170.indd 4308/03/2025 15:18www.mepmiddleeast.com 44 MEP Middle East | March 2025www.mepmiddleeast.com WOMEN IN MEP Priya Sisodia is a seasoned Building Services Engineer with over 15 years of global experience across New Zealand, the Middle East, and India. As an Associate Director at Cundall, Sisodia has successfully led multidisciplinary teams on complex projects across aviation, hospitality, commercial, and residential sectors. Known for her approachable, people-focused leadership, Sisodia believes in the power of collaboration, thriving in team-driven environments and ensuring the success of others. Sisodia is proud of her achievements, leading several iconic projects in various parts of the world. “You are more capable than you think, and sometimes taking that leap is all it takes to grow,” she reﬂ ects on the conﬁ dence it took to prove herself in the MEP ﬁ eld. Her journey has not only shaped her professional skills but also enhanced her leadership capabilities. Sisodia advises young women entering the industry to trust their abilities and seize opportunities boldly, sharing that her biggest regret was doubting herself in the beginning. Sisodia also observes how diversity and inclusion have drastically improved over the years, citing the transformation in leadership on her current project, where all key leaders are women. For her, true belonging for women in the workplace comes from policies that promote empathy, empowerment, and respect. She advocates for ﬂ exible work arrangements and environments where women can express themselves freely and conﬁ dently. She shares: “Step into every opportunity with conﬁ dence, even if it feels intimidating. Growth often happens when we push ourselves beyond our comfort zones.” PRIYA SISODIA ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR -BUILDING SERVICES CUNDALL “You are more capable than you think, and sometimes taking that leap is all it takes to grow” MEP_Mar2025_26-59_Women in MEP_13544170.indd 4408/03/2025 15:19www.mepmiddleeast.comMarch 2025 | MEP Middle East 45 www.mepmiddleeast.com WOMEN IN MEP Fatima Alhebsi’s journey in electrical engineering is one of perseverance and continuous learning. Starting as a trainee engineer, she embraced every challenge to carve out a strong position in the ﬁ eld. She believes that the industry has evolved, with more women stepping into engineering roles and proving their expertise across sectors. However, challenges remain. “In a male-dominated ﬁ eld like electrical engineering, one of the biggest challenges is being assigned less complex tasks compared to male colleagues,” she shares. “There’s also this ongoing pressure to constantly prove our competence, as if our skills and expertise always need validation.” Alhebsi advocates for workplace policies that foster true belonging for women, emphasising the need for collaborative and supportive environments over competitive ones. Her advice to aspiring engineers is simple yet powerful: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and take risks. Believe in your abilities and don’t let doubts hold you back.” She also encourages young professionals to embrace failure as part of growth and to actively build their networks. “I joined the company as a trainee engineer and worked hard to become an Electrical Engineer. Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but the journey doesn’t stop here. Every day brings new learning experiences, and I’m excited to keep growing and improving in my ﬁ eld.” With this mindset, she continues to break barriers, proving that women belong at the forefront of engineering innovation. FATIMA ALHEBSI ELECTRICAL ENGINEER KHANSAHEB “Building connections and making your work known can open doors to new opportunities and signiﬁcantly boost career advancement” MEP_Mar2025_26-59_Women in MEP_13544170.indd 4508/03/2025 15:19www.mepmiddleeast.com 46 MEP Middle East | March 2025www.mepmiddleeast.com WOMEN IN MEP At just 28, Giulia Pedretti has redeﬁ ned workplace safety through innovation, digital transformation, and a strong prevention culture. As the owner of Arteak Ltd and a Board Member at Safe Safety Srl, she has led advancements in HSE, expanding Arteak’s global reach to 21 countries and transforming Safe Srl into a digital-ﬁ rst company serving over 25,000 clients. Her leadership has spearheaded the development of SAS – Safe Alert System, a wearable device leveraging AI and real-time monitoring to protect workers in high-risk industries. She has also introduced Cosmotech, a system for extreme environment monitoring, and VR training solutions that make safety education immersive and engaging. Recognised on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her contributions to HSE, Pedretti is passionate about shifting workplace safety from a compliance requirement to a strategic business advantage. Beyond technology, she champions generational change, believing that young professionals play a vital role in reshaping safety standards. Her advice to her younger self? “Own your expertise—You don’t need to wait for permission to speak up. Your insights and skills are valuable from day one.” She continues: “Resilience comes from focusing on impact. My work saves lives and drives innovation”. By promoting a culture of inclusion and mentorship, she continues to inspire the next generation to challenge norms, embrace digital transformation, and create a safer, smarter future. GIULIA PEDRETTI OWNER, ARTEAK LTD BOARD MEMBER, SAFE SAFETY SRL “You don’t need to wait for permission to speak up. Your insights and skills are valuable from day one” MEP_Mar2025_26-59_Women in MEP_13544170.indd 4608/03/2025 15:20www.mepmiddleeast.comMarch 2025 | MEP Middle East 47 www.mepmiddleeast.com WOMEN IN MEP With 18 years of experience in electrical engineering, Sharmina Valappilagath has established herself as a leader in the ﬁ eld, renowned for her technical expertise and commitment to excellence. As Principal Electrical Engineer at Egis, she has led the electrical design eff orts for major projects, including the Yas Water World Expansion and National History Museum in Abu Dhabi. Her work spans power systems, low voltage systems, lighting, ﬁ re alarm systems, and energy management solutions across commercial, residential, and industrial sectors. Valappilagath’s career trajectory is marked by a shift from site supervision to a key role in MEP design, overcoming the challenges of a male-dominated ﬁ eld and bringing a unique perspective to her designs. Her ability to navigate complex projects and regulatory environments has made her a trusted leader and mentor to a diverse team of engineers. She advocates for diversity and inclusion, and emphasises on the importance of creating workplaces where women feel they truly belong. Valappilagath’s advice to young women entering the industry includes prioritising learning, being conﬁ dent in their opinions, and trusting their instincts. She says, “Learn to ﬁ lter out negativity, focus on your goals, and don’t internalise unwarranted criticism. Keep your focus on proving your worth through your work.” She encourages women to balance career ambitions with self-care and family, as these are essential for long-term success. SHARMINA VALAPPILAGATH PRINCIPAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER EGIS “Success is about learning from mistakes and getting better over time. Don’t aim for perfection, just focus on improving little by little every day” MEP_Mar2025_26-59_Women in MEP_13544170.indd 4708/03/2025 15:20www.mepmiddleeast.com 48 MEP Middle East | March 2025www.mepmiddleeast.com WOMEN IN MEP Mary Varghese is an experienced Electrical Engineer with over 13 years of experience in the construction industry, having worked across the Middle East and Europe. She began her career as a consultant electrical engineer and rose to become a leader in multidisciplinary project management and design. Varghese is passionate about integrated building services design solutions that maximise energy effi ciency and reduce operational carbon emissions. Varghese takes pride in her contributions to the construction industry and acknowledges the signiﬁ cant strides made in diversity and inclusion over the past year. “Companies are now more open about their workforce demographics and the eff ectiveness of their D&I initiatives,” she explains, highlighting the improvements made in promoting women to leadership roles. Varghese also acknowledges the challenges women face in the industry, including limited representation in senior positions. “Surrounding myself with mentors, colleagues, and friends who support and encourage me has been invaluable,” she shares. As a mentor, she encourages young women to embrace their unique perspectives and contribute to innovative solutions: “Your voice can be a catalyst for positive change.” Through her leadership and advocacy for diversity and inclusion, Varghese continues to inspire the next generation of women in MEP, pushing for environments where women experience not just inclusion but true belonging. MARY VARGHESE ASSOCIATE BURO HAPPOLD “I have often found men to be valuable allies in helping women grow in their careers” MEP_Mar2025_26-59_Women in MEP_13544170.indd 4808/03/2025 15:20www.mepmiddleeast.comMarch 2025 | MEP Middle East 49 www.mepmiddleeast.com WOMEN IN MEP With seven years of experience across diverse industries, Pooja Jha has established herself as a versatile HR professional. Transitioning from the Oil & Gas and IT sectors into the MEP industry, Jha has embraced every learning opportunity, contributing to her ongoing growth and success. She is passionate about creating inclusive workplaces, particularly empowering women in traditionally male-dominated ﬁ elds. Jha takes pride in the progress made within the MEP sector, particularly with the recognition of women’s contributions, exempliﬁ ed by the 2024 award of the ‘Most Inspiring Woman of the Year’ at the Construction Week Middle East Awards. She highlights the subtle challenges women face, including limited leadership representation and exclusion from key discussions. Jha remains resilient by focusing on expertise, networking, and advocacy, striving to create an industry where women can thrive. Jha believes that workplace policies should go beyond inclusion to ensure true belonging, advocating for safety, ﬂ exibility for working mothers, and equal opportunities after maternity leave. She says, “The implementation of the POSH policy, along with regular training sessions for all employees both white-collar and blue-collar, plays a vital role in ensuring a safe workplace.” She encourages new generations of women to embrace unconventional roles and build supportive networks, reminding them to always push boundaries and never underestimate their potential. POOJA JHA HR EXECUTIVE VOLTAS “Don’t be afraid to take on roles outside of traditional expectations. Embrace technical skills and become a problem-solver” MEP_Mar2025_26-59_Women in MEP_13544170.indd 4908/03/2025 15:20Next >