Last week, to celebrate International Women’s Day, our Empowering Women in Construction Employee Resource Group (ERG) hosted a webinar with bestselling author Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan. Dr. O’Sullivan’s journey from overcoming homelessness and teenage motherhood to becoming an award-winning lecturer is a testament to the power of mentorship, support, and education in transforming lives. Katriona’s story reinforces the idea that having strong role models and accessible opportunities can help individuals reshape their futures.
During the session, Dr. O’Sullivan emphasised the role of mentorship and support systems in women’s success in traditionally male-dominated industries like construction. She spoke on the importance of creating environments where women can authentically express themselves, stating, “We have to think about the conversations, the community, and how can we make sure that women can be women while working in construction.” This resonates with our company values on inclusivity and relationships.
As part of our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, PJ Hegarty actively participates in initiatives that promote greater access to careers in construction and STEM. Our Head of HR, Jan Glynn, supports the Passport for Inclusion programme, ensuring that we not only open doors for the next generation of women in construction but also continue to develop a workforce that reflects the diversity of the wider community.
As we continue this journey, we recognise the importance of community and conversation in driving meaningful change. Dr. O’Sullivan’s experiences emphasise our commitment to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of gender, can succeed and play a vital role in our shared success.
Read more about DEI at PJ Hegarty here.
