-10.66DS Smith Paper celebrates International Women in Engineering Day 2020
23 June 2020 is International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), a day to raise awareness of the career opportunities available to women in engineering disciplines. This year DS Smith spoke with female engineers from across the business.
Launched in 2014 to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the Women’s Engineering Society, INWED takes place every June 23rd. DS Smith is delighted to have women working in strategic engineering positions, so for INWED 2020, we’ve engaged with some of our engineers from around Europe.
Susana Marques achieved her master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Aveiro University, Portugal and the Technical University of Denmark. As part of the Paper Production Department at Viana Paper Mill, she plays a major role in continuous improvement, specialising in productivity and efficiency.
Susana said:
Despite DS Smith’s size, with employees all around the globe, I feel a valuable part of the value chain. Both men and women working as a team is essential in any industry, each providing different skill sets and experience. My main focus at present is on optimizing safety, quality and productivity, ensuring the best output for Viana Paper Mill.
Jelena Brown joined our 2014 Graduate Scheme at Kemsley Mill, in the UK, following her graduation with a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Cambridge University. She is currently Plastics and Waste Processing Development Manager at Kemsley Mill.
Jelena said:
I've always been interested in sustainability and working with recycled products in a sustainable industry was a great opportunity. At Kemsley I’ve been involved in large-scale projects from the start, even as a graduate, today I’m responsible for ensuring we produce the best quality product possible. Recently, I have been working on our new AD plant, which is not only supporting our strategic sustainability vision through energy and waste reductions, but it is truly turning waste into resource. I find working with the operators and teaching them how to work with new technology extremely exciting, making them as enthusiastic about it as I am!
Chiara Lucarotti holds a PhD in Biochemical Engineering and is finalising her post-graduate paper specialisation in Lucca Mill, Italy, to support her work in the paper industry. She works in the mill’s stock preparation area, creating added value to our Supply Cycle right from the point that materials enter the papermaking process.
Chiara said:
It’s great to find colleagues here with different backgrounds and experience. As a process engineer in the stock preparation area, I can have a big impact on the quality control and laboratory practice to get the best quality paper into our machines. On daily basis, my job is to provide a technical explanation to the problems encountered by operators. I often find that, as a woman, I have a different perspective when looking at certain problems – which leads to alternative solutions.
Nama Parwana joined the DS Smith Group Finance Graduate programme in 2014. During the last six years, she has carried out several roles, from working within a Group function to her current role in the Paper Division where she is much closer to the operations as Financial Planning and Reporting Manager.
Nama said:
I've had fantastic opportunities at DS Smith, continually learning, being challenged, and being involved in innovative projects. Despite the size of DS Smith, I feel a valued part of the business and I am able to add value through my work. It is great to work with colleagues who have different experiences and are from different backgrounds and cultures.