The progressive rise of women in the industrial engineering field shows a positive change in a once very homogenous field. This advancement can not only be seen across the industry but also within our own Oliver Wyman Engineers (OWE). For International Women in Engineering Day 2023, we are proud to spotlight the women on our team.

Celebrating women in engineering is not just a one-day event. It is an ongoing commitment to recognizing the invaluable contributions of women and fostering a culture of inclusivity where women in engineering feel valued, respected, and encouraged to reach their full potential. We are committed to fostering and maintaining a diverse, inclusive, equal-opportunity culture that empowers all colleagues and business partners. We believe that every colleague’s unique contribution is fundamental to the overall success of the company. Meet some of the women on Oliver Wyman’s Engineering team:

Anke Guderian

What is your favorite part about working at OWE?
I like the variety of challenges, it's never the same. I like working in an interdisciplinary team of experts to develop solutions tailored to the customer's needs, and you never know what questions will have to be answered tomorrow. Always stay open.

What is an achievement with OWE that you are proud of?
I am proud of being able to quickly familiarize myself with new, complex technical problems that I might never have experienced up close under "normal circumstances" and translate them into an applicable, specific and to-the-point solution for the client.

What advice would you give to a woman who is just starting out in the engineering field or wants to join OWE?
Stay open, curious and willing to learn, trust your abilities, never give up and see change as a very welcome sign of development.

Martina Zhu

What is your favorite part about working at OWE?
My favorite part of working at OWE is the opportunity to learn and grow professionally. At OWE I have the chance to work on a variety of projects, ranging from the automotive industry to consumer goods. The daily challenges we encounter allow me to constantly learn and acquire new knowledge. Additionally working at OWE has helped me discover my full potential, which I was not previously aware of and I’m grateful for the chance that OWE has given me to develop my skills.

What is an achievement with OWE that you are proud of?
I am proud to bring a unique skillset and deep industry knowledge to OWE. While OWE has a deep understanding and experience in automotive industry, my background in the consumer goods industry and my expertise in Industry 4.0 bring a more diverse and versatile professional capability to the company.

What advice would you give to a woman who is just starting out in the engineering field or wants to join OWE?
Although overcoming challenges in a male-dominated field is difficult, it is important to maintain confidence in your abilities and not doubt your worth. It is important to remember that you are capable and can achieve success.

Severine Huin

What is your favorite part about working at OWE?
Working at OWE provides a unique opportunity to delve into diverse industries and sectors, including automotive, railway, and consumer goods. This exposure allows you to gain valuable insights and knowledge across a wide range of technical topics. From working on locomotive car bodies to automotive harnesses, foaming machines to hybrid gearboxes, and truck braking systems to high-end customer appliances, you are immersed in a rich variety of projects that surpasses what a typical engineer job offers.

What is an achievement with OWE that you are proud of?
I take great pride in working on projects that have a meaningful impact on our clients. Among them, the project that holds a special place in my heart revolves around addressing a technical issue related to locomotive car bodies. During the manufacturing process, these car bodies were experiencing significant distortion, posing a significant challenge. The situation was further complicated by a contentious environment between a supplier and an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Over the course of a year, they had been grappling with the problem, believing in a possible root cause, resorting to reworking all the locomotives that fell out of specification. The escalating costs had led both parties to engage in legal discussions.

OWE stepped in as a last-ditch effort to find a solution. Armed with a fact-based approach, structured problem-solving strategies, we were able to identify the underlying issue. In just two months, we implemented corrective actions that not only brought the car bodies back into specification but also alleviated the tension between the parties involved. The cost of rework was significantly reduced, thanks to the implementation of an easy workable rework solution.

This project was particularly rewarding as it encompassed both fascinating technical aspects, involving deep dives into welding and distortion, and the crucial soft skills required to resolve conflicts between two parties. It showcased the power of combining technical expertise with effective communication skills. Being able to deliver a successful outcome by bridging the gap between technology and interpersonal dynamics was a truly gratifying experience. Also, we encountered an interesting twist: the root cause we discovered was entirely different from the initial explanation provided by the client and supplier at the project's onset.

What advice would you give to a woman who is just starting out in the engineering field or wants to join OWE?
The breadth of experience and exposure you gain at OWE is unparalleled. You not only tackle technical challenges specific to each industry but also witness and learn from the best practices employed in various sectors. This comprehensive understanding of different industries equips you with a holistic perspective and a deep appreciation for the nuances and intricacies of each domain.

Moreover, your interaction with clients in research and development (R&D), manufacturing, supply chain, quality, maintenance, test and validation offers a complete picture of their business operations. You become intimately familiar with the entire lifecycle of a product or service, from concept development to manufacturing, quality assurance, and post-production support. This end-to-end exposure enables you to comprehend the complexities and interdependencies involved in running a successful business.

Samantha Theissen

What is your favorite part about working at OWE?
I love the team spirit that we have as a group. No matter how challenging a situation might be, we face it together and have each other’s backs.

What is an achievement with OWE that you are proud of?
During my time at OWE, the practice has evolved a lot. We have expanded our capabilities, learned from mistakes, and stayed open to change and new ideas. In doing so, we have become stronger and more successful each year amid several major global crises. I am proud to be part of that journey.

What advice would you give to a woman who is just starting out in the engineering field or wants to join OWE?
Believe in yourself, stay curious and don’t be afraid to make bold choices.

Elena Chiappa

What is your favorite part about working at OWE?
Working on technical projects across all industries. My background is automotive but through OWE I’ve developed expertise in other industries including aerospace and rail. The projects I work on as part of OWE let me take concepts or best practices from one industry and apply them to identify opportunities in another.

What is an achievement with OWE that you are proud of?
We had a client who was considering the purchase of a company that made equipment for manufacturing semiconductors. The client asked us to help them understand how precisely this equipment functioned and where it fit in terms of innovation. I was, at the time, not very familiar with this manufacturing process but was able to learn from our internal experts and very rapidly learn the processes involved and how the equipment worked to, with the team, provide the client with a holistic view of the technical landscape and where the target company fit. I am especially proud of how quickly we were able to educate a non-technical audience on detailed content to allow them to make a fully informed decision.

What advice would you give to a woman who is just starting out in the engineering field or wants to join OWE?
My first piece of advice would be to ask “why?” about everything. So often we think we understand what is going on or how something works when we are missing some amount of the context or background. Asking why helps you correct misunderstandings or get that extra information that you would otherwise miss.