Domino celebrates progress on Women in Engineering Day

Domino celebrated this year’s International Women in Engineering Day (IWED) on Monday (23 June) by highlighting its female employees working in key technical roles.

The Bar Hill-based company, a world leader in coding, marking and digital printing technologies used across a wide range of industries, is putting the spotlight on the wide range of rewarding careers in the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Additionally the company has recently strengthened its diversity and inclusion pledge by setting a target to increase the number of women in leadership roles to 40 per cent by 2030.

It has also relaunched its Women@Domino employee network to empower women and their supporters, partnered with SheCanCode, a female-focused community to encourage women to pursue careers in technical areas and linked with STEM Returners, to help women get back into the workplace after a career break.

Those participating in the Monday showcase included:

- Amanda Braund is team leader in Group Purchasing Electronics with global responsibility for electronics hardware and software procurement.

She says: “I was keen to work in a high-end manufacturing environment and early in my career I moved into a purchasing role and loved it.

“I am very grateful that Domino has invested in my education, enabling me to achieve Level 5 of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply qualification, and more recently studying with the Association of Project Management.

“Certainly no two days are ever the same as in purchasing we are constantly re-prioritising and reacting so it’s fast paced and challenging. I also really enjoy interfacing and collaborating with teams across the groups.”

- Ainara Asteinza is a principal engineer in Domino’s Print Systems group, and supports the Women’s Network ERG, as well as leading the Women@Domino R&D chapter.

She says: “Engineering and science have given me the skills to solve complex problems and I also like being able to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

“I’d say to other women to follow their dreams. There is no reason why a woman cannot excel in a science or engineering role so don’t listen to those who may try plant doubt in you, including yourself.”

- Belinda Pryor is manufacturing manager with responsibility for the factory and warehouse.

She says: “I joined Domino as a manufacturing team-leader in 1998 and coming from the textiles industry, it was a huge challenge, with a very young family at the time.

“I’ve worked for some great managers; the most pivotal one being Rachel Hurst, now our COO, who encouraged me to pursue further education and get my degree and it is thanks to her support, mentorship and belief in me that I was promoted to my current role.”

- Vijay Jayakumari is a software engineer on the data platform team, collaborating to develop tools and services that efficiently curate and analyse R&D data.

She says: “A BASIC programming class first sparked my interest in computer science, opening my eyes to the logic, creativity and problem-solving involved in coding. I was hooked and this led to a Bachelor's in Information Technology and a Master's in Advanced Software Technology.

“What I enjoy most is working with data and emerging technologies alongside driven and friendly colleagues. Being part of the R&D team gives me the opportunity to explore innovative approaches to solving complex problems.

“To other women I’d say define your vision clearly and commit to the hard work it takes to get there. Don’t be afraid to dream big – science and engineering are fields where curiosity, creativity and persistence truly thrive.”

Rachel Hurst, chief operating officer at Domino, adds: “The annual International Women in Engineering Day continues to be very important in highlighting successful female role models at different career stages to inspire more women and girls to believe they can do it too.

“Domino is an excellent environment for women in technical roles, now more than ever. We have recently introduced many new initiatives such as our commitment to increasing women in leadership roles, our Women’s Network, and our partnering with national initiatives such as SheCanCode and STEM Returners.”