Insa Errey is a female engineer originally from Sydney who now calls Auckland home. She currently operates as an independent consultant under Curios Sustainability.

How long have you been an engineer?

Almost 10 years. I was a late bloomer into engineering.

What field of engineering do you specialise in?

I specialise in Industrial sustainability. My background is in Chemical biomolecular engineering, with my past experiences being in beverage manufacturing.

What projects are you most proud of?

It is always rewarding to complete large-scale implementations such as fuel switching projects and wastewater recycling projects.

But I think my proudest project is more subtle. In my previous company I mobilised employee awareness toward the issues of sustainability and energy efficiency.

My campaign drove awareness through cultural change and started a larger shift toward collaboration on energy efficiency.

This has seen year on year energy efficiency improvements driving down operational costs, increasing competitive advantage and most of all reducing emissions from their major manufacturing sites across Australia and NZ.

Is there scope for creativity, creative thinking?

Absolutely. Creativity is the foundation on innovation.

I actually went to a performing arts high school, now a long time ago, and I think that is what dew me to engineering was the ability to still be creative and think outside the box but also make significant impact toward system pressures facing us today.

What challenges do engineers face in today’s business world?

I think that the main challenge facing engineers is that which we are all facing, climate change, and how this is impacting all areas of how we do business.

Businesses and, in particular, manufacturing, are facing and experiencing risks associated with operational disruption, impacts of market forces and future stranded assets with the changing energy market.

Here I see engineers having the important role of leaders within this space, driving innovation and change. We need to embrace this challenge as a positive opportunity.

Do you work well in a team?

Yes, working in a team is essential in engineering.

In this time of the virus, are there projects being worked on?

Yes just because we are in lockdowns does not mean we stop. Manufacturing is an essential service and needs to continue to supply consumers.

My role continues to support manufacturing operations and focus the challenges facing decarbonisation.

What gives you satisfaction?/ What do you enjoy about engineering?

What gives me the most satisfaction with engineering is the ability to make positive lasting change. I have spent most of my career focusing on improving sustainability challenges facing manufacturing.

However, I have also been passionate about humanitarian engineering, here I have worked with Engineers Without Boarder Australia to support remote communities across Australasia to review feasible energy options and supporting water, sanitation and hygiene projects.

More locally I have worked with the Red Cross in disaster management and recovery primarily with Australian bushfires.

What is it like to be a women engineer in manufacturing?

Well yes women are a minority within engineering and even more so in manufacturing engineering.

It is positive to see over the last few years the push for diversity and increase in female numbers within manufacturing.

However, there is still some work to be done to breakdown the unconscious bias mindset.  I also see an opportunity to promote engineering to girls and get them interested early on;here I am currently an ambassador for Engineering NZ’s “Wonder project” which is igniting STEM in the next generation.

Favourite book, last book read?

What is my favourite book is a hard question. I do really enjoy reading and audiobooks with my favourite genre of non-fiction, reading about amazing people who have overcome adversity.

I just finished “The Dressmakers of Yarrandarrah Prison” by Meredith Jaffe.

Favourite quote?

Probably from the Dalai Lama “If you think it is too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito”. I think this is a great quote within the context of energy efficiency.

The biggest influence in your life?

I would have to say my daughter. I am a mum of a wonderfully curious 3-year-old daughter who asks the most inspiring questions every day.

As an engineer I do think it is so important we stop and question why things are as they are. Here my daughter inspires me to stop and ask the obvious questions or even question why we do thing the way we do. It makes you think, is there a better way? or why do we do it at all?

At the moment her favourite is why do we need to get dressed? Can we not be like the Bananas B1 & B2 and wear pyjamas all day?  😊