Worldwide, talented women continue to be changemakers in technology and innovation across their workplaces and communities.
Forging Change Via Technology speaks to how technology and education in the digital age empower women of all ages.
When we asked our team who they felt represented this International Women’s Day theme – the stories came flooding in!
Here, we share stories of inspiring Seequent women and their amazing impact across our four key regions, North America (NAM), Latin America (LAM), Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific (APAC).
Lisa Sarazin, Senior Director of Brand and Marketing
A strategic, empathetic and empowering leader
Giving her incredibly talented team the right tools to amplify their success is how Lisa describes her leadership role.
“Whether that’s providing clarity of vision, the removal of a roadblock, or a new process to streamline efforts, I believe being solution-focused and open to feedback influences our team in a really honest and positive way,” she says.
Since joining Seequent in November 2021, the native Canadian has quickly established herself as a conscientious, creative force.
“Our ambitious goals and high expectations should never lead to micromanagement or making solely data-driven decisions over connecting with people,” says Lisa.
Lisa balances her busy global team leadership role by connecting with nature and exploring the great outdoors together with her husband and German shepherd, Flora.
Climate change warrior
A choice rather than a chance led to Lisa’s role as Senior Director, Brand and Marketing at Seequent.
“This is the first time in my career I’ve actively sought employment in a company that promotes sustainability and works on solutions for a better tomorrow,” says Lisa.
“Knowing my work at Seequent promotes technology that’s helping create a better world for future generations has given me new hope and keeps me motivated in my personal life.”
Following in Maya Angelou’s footsteps who said, “When you know better you do better,”
Lisa is busy expanding her knowledge – reading and listening about how large enterprises and political parties influence climate change, and actively seeking open and thoughtful conversations on climate matters.
She has made major lifestyle changes, including purchasing only products that align with her values, reducing waste and recycling, picking up garbage when walking her dog and participating in A Greener Future’s Butt Blitz.
“And it’s driven me to think more critically about how I can make a difference; for example, recognizing how healthcare, women’s rights, and social policies can create a cycle of poverty that is not only fundamentally unfair but that contributes to climate change.”
Lisa’ view: Skills trump bias
Lisa believes women are gradually becoming more comfortable and confident about what they have to offer rather than trying to conform to the outdated moulds of the male-dominated workplace.
While progress has been made, she urges leaders to continue to identify and challenge their biases to accelerate changemakers regardless of their genetic makeup. As a result, she advocates recognising value and potential without bias.
“It’s vital my team feel appreciated and trusted, and I’ll continue to invest time in discovering new techniques to achieve a genuine sense of their feeling valued.”
Lorraine Godwin, Regional Director – Environment, Civil and Energy Business Development (NAM)
“My goal is to foster critical thinking, cultivate communication and presentation skills, and encourage teamwork and leadership. It’s so rewarding to watch young people’s personalities and confidence expand and grow. They are all future changemakers!”
“We initiated WLC to ‘pay it forward’ and create a space to expand leadership skills, provide mentorship, and help other women unlock their true potential.”
Lorraine and members of the NAM team (2023)
“It’s the marrying of great science and innovative software together with talented, passionate people who share the vision to create a better world that keeps this company thriving!”
“When we don’t see ourselves reflected in certain roles, it’s hard to imagine yourself there. We’ve come so far in terms of gender equity but it’s still a work in progress.”
Jo Knight, Chief Customer Officer, Executive Leadership team
Chief Customer Officer, Jo Knight is a ‘highly motivated champion for equality and diversity.’
An integral part of the Executive Leadership team, Jo also leads the Customer Experience team working to the mandate of delivering seamless and intuitive experiences that matter to our customers.
With Seequent for the past six years, she brings 25 years of experience in marketing and consulting (public and private sectors) to her role.
Alongside a packed work agenda, and being a busy mother of three, Jo is serious about shifting the balance of equality and empowering women to be more confident and self-assured leaders.
In 2020, she co-founded Seequent’s thriving Women’s Leadership Circle (WLC) now with over 200 members and counting.
“We wanted to create a community for meaningful relationships, to expand leadership skills and career paths, provide mentorship, support, and inspiration and to improve diversity, inclusion, and equality,” says Jo.
“It’s blossomed into something really great, and we’ve joined forces with other groups (both inside and outside of Bentley) to continue to expand our network and build relationships.”
Jo’s convinced each interaction enhances people in different ways, “We learn so much from all the amazing people involved and the many experts who have joined our sessions and inspired us.”
Jo and the Seequent team at the Bentley 2022 Going Digital Awards.
Empowering women to be their best
Jo regards her senior executive position as a privilege that allows her to serve as a role model and mentor to other women aspiring to be successful leaders.
“If I can inspire just one woman to become a great leader, I will be happy,” she says.
Jo never runs out of enthusiasm and ideas. She believes encouraging and inspiring young women to pursue STEM subjects should begin at a grassroots level, in schools and colleges.
Research points to the many advantages of gender diversity in the workplace. She suggests evaluating ways to distinctly hire women, search for tactics to enhance their development and provide impartial career openings.
“Programmes such as the Women’s Leadership Circle are fantastic because when you build a community, great things happen and raising up voices that perhaps haven’t been heard before is powerful and inspiring to watch,” says Jo.
Jo with Geraint Burrows Founder and CEO – Groundwater Relief
Jo’s view: Facilitating change for a better tomorrow
Jo is fascinated by Seequent’s unique pool of people with diverse thinking and experiences from multiple industries. She views this “rich assortment of different brains” as key to the company’s agility in solving complex technical problems and innovating on the edge.
As part of the Seequent team, she can directly promote the creation of crucial technologies that contribute to a better understanding of our earth and a more resilient future.
“I thrive on being part of a business that can help address such challenges,” she concludes. “And grateful to Seequent for such an amazing opportunity to help make a difference.”
Senior Technical Leader, Julia Oliveira is ‘impressively active and determined’
Julia Oliveira
As Senior Technical Leader of Latin America, Julia supports her team to be their best, gives guidance on product best practices and helps customers conquer their unique challenges.
Originally from Brazil, Julia moved to Chile twelve years ago and has recently parted with her family to embark on a 6-month secondment in Vancouver, to share her expertise with the NAM team and learn more about North America’s market.
Impressively active and determined, she has a Taekwondo black belt 3rd degree, and taken on tremendous physical pursuits like the Torres del Paine – a challenging 11-day non-stop circuit walk.
Even when she’s exploring new sports and activities, her motto is to simply, “face the fear of failing.”
Julia hiking in Chile
Julia has been with Seequent for over 8 years, making her mark as one of two women in the LAM management team. She is recognised as a technological changemaker for her courageous move to Vancouver, highlighting just how passionate she is about her role.
Starting her career in the mining industry, she is always open to facing her challenges bravely and supporting her peers to do the same.
“I believe that challenges help us grow and be better beings. I do my best to listen to people and support others in achieving their goals; a rule is to always lead by example and be genuine and kind!” she says.
Inspired to be a technological disrupter
Julia acknowledges Seequent as a company that is “always being disruptive about our technology,” and inspires her to be a changemaker in other areas of own life.
Starting her journey as a Seequent customer in the original Leapfrog era, she realised the technology was a game-changer, paving a new way for the market to think about modelling and evolving day-to-day workflows.
“Every day, I’m inspired by the phrase ‘complexity to clarity,” she says,
In all areas of her life, Julia has her sights set on finding the path to clear solutions, even through the complexities of change.
No doubt this inspiration supports Julia as she currently works to finish her MBA, majoring in Technology, Leadership and Management 4.0.
Julia presenting at PDAC for 10 years of Leapfrog (2023)
Julia’s view: Inspire more women to work in tech
Being amongst the few women to work in exploration and MRM (Mineral Resource Mining), Julia believes that,
“We need to inspire more girls to be in tech, more ladies to be leaders and face the challenges, and how we do that is by sharing experiences and vulnerabilities.”
Sharing these experiences and vulnerabilities shows the true nature of the challenges we face and how it’s always possible to see them through with encouragement and hope.
Brazil Country Manager, Daniela Ximenes is ‘a passionate leader, mentor and mother’
As Brazil Country Manager, Daniela is responsible for business development and revenue across the region.
As her team’s mentor, she encourages, “looking forward and bravely adapting to the changes we face in our company – and in our lives.”
Daniela challenges and empowers her team to believe in themselves, be positive, think big, and have a growth mindset. ‘Mindset: The New Psychology of Success,’ is a book she highly recommends reading.
“It’s rewarding to see people grow more confident and transform professionally and personally to achieve their full potential, especially those who may have started out shy or with, ‘impostor syndrome.’
Outside of her role at Seequent Daniela also mentors a women’s group in Brazil, called “Us for Them”. a mentoring program for women working to inspire, enhance, strengthen, and transform the personal and professional development of women seeking support.
As of May, 2022, Daniela is also a member of the board of directors of the LANZBC (Latin American New Zealand Business Council)
And her advice for women in tech?
“Women can do anything. Be bold. Be fearless. Believe in yourself and pursue your dreams.”
Customer Solutions Specialist, Elisenda Rodriguez Perez is ‘an advocate for women in technology’
Eli is a strong advocate for elevating women in technology, in both her professional and personal life
As Imago Regional Champion, Eli is driving Cloud Data Solutions implementation and leads awareness campaigns across LinkedIn, as well as multiple in-person events, globally.
Based in the UK on the EMEA team, she is always looking for the best ways to shine a light on our talented women helping to forge change in technology.
Eli says she strives, “to echo the important role of women in the mining and tech industry to boost diversity and inclusion in the sector.”
Eli, seen here at the special clay mines in Mexico, brings Mining, Geomodelling, and Data management expertise to her role
Outside of her professional role, Eli is a co-founder of Quipiya, a Mexico-based non-profit focused on bridging the digital divide by engaging and empowering local schools and communities with access to digital tools.
Eli explains, “We founded Quipiya with the belief that access to education and technology are key drivers of social and economic development, and that everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from them, regardless of their background.”
Elisenda’s view: Create positive change in the world
Eli acknowledges that to build a brighter future together, we must all foster a workplace in which everyone feels valued and respected.
“As a woman in technology, I am acutely aware of the challenges that we still face in this industry. But I’m also inspired by the incredible women who are leading the way and breaking down barriers.
At Seequent, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of these women, and to be part of a community that supports and uplifts one another.”
Eli is a co-founder of Quipiya, a Mexico-based non-profit focused on bridging the digital divide
Project geologist Nicole Casilla, is a ‘force to be reckoned with’
From organising multiple gatherings for women in her region, or sharing resources highlighting gender-related issues, to empowering women to Dress for Success, Nicole supports women to thrive in work and in life.
“It’s a privilege to work alongside her,” says Nicole’s team who describe her as inquisitive, open-minded and resourceful.
“With the curiosity, courage and initiative to see and do things differently, and bring positive change for women in the mining and technology industries.”
Since starting her Perth, Australia-based role in August 2021, Nicole has worked to ensure a positive and valuable experience for Leapfrog customers. She addresses enquiries, provides training and collaborates with our technical team to develop a better workflow.
Nicole and the team at the APAC (Asia Pacific) women’s lunch.
Raising awareness about some of the challenges women face was recently top of mind for Nicole after a friendly discussion about gender pay inequality in Australia. It led her to think about how she could approach this sensitive subject in a positive way.
“Gender doesn’t define who can be a changemaker and this has inspired me to be a catalyst for change and positivity. I hope that this mindset can inspire the people in my life – change starts from within,” she says.
Nicole’s view: The future of women in tech
The future is bright – and I’m keen to be part of it! However, we’re still a long way from getting there. Her advice is to start with something small that can equate to something big in the future;
Encourage professional development: Endorse women to continue to develop their skills and knowledge through training and workshops. Support their professional growth and help them reach their goals.
Be a mentor: Offer guidance, support and share your own experiences with other women in our team and industry – this will help them navigate future challenges.
Be an advocate: A mentor can take many forms, such as a friend or co-worker, and can help you think through how to navigate your career more effectively. An advocate, on the other hand, is someone who will actively create opportunities for you to succeed. Be that person for anyone in your team – so they feel more valued personally and professionally.
Create a safe space: Create an environment that is supportive for women, and men, in the workplace, where they feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns without fear of judgment.
Nicole at Everest base camp, surrounded by colorful Nepali prayer flags.