Published 06/03/26
Celebrating wienerberger’s women in STEM
The month of March marks some powerful celebrations including National Careers Week, International Women’s Day, and British Science Week. We believe this a perfect opportunity to spotlight some of the incredible women working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) roles across wienerberger UK.
These women share their experiences, insights, and reflections on what it means to be a woman in STEM, and why representation and visibility matters.
Katie Barnes, Trainee Process Manager, wienerberger UK, Kingsbury site
“I am proud and motivated to be a woman in STEM, particularly in such a male-dominated industry. I look to my female colleagues who have successfully progressed within the business and feel empowered, with the hope that I can also inspire others. My ambition is that diversity within wienerberger continues to grow, where we see more minority groups in senior positions and across the business.”
Karen Gent – Operations Director, FloPlast. Chartered Mechanical Engineer
“I studied Maths, Physics and Chemistry at A-Level and went on to study for a Mechanical Engineering degree at Liverpool University. At university, I was 1 of only 3 females in a class of 120 students. It’s here where the challenge begins. There’s a misconception that engineering is a male-oriented career, and limited guidance at school-leaver age means this belief often goes unchallenged, resulting in fewer young women entering the industry. This is changing though. With initiatives such as STEM Ambassadors and STEM workshops being introduced, progress is moving in the right direction, and the industry is becoming more open and diverse, which is truly great to see.”
Kim Campbell, Financial Analyst, Building Product Design
“Being a woman in STEM hasn’t been a linear journey for me. With a psychology degree, I fell into the field, starting out in credit control before pursuing further financial qualifications. I quickly realised how much I enjoyed the analytical side of the work—although analysing numbers rather than people! I found the role both interesting and varied. I’ve never felt held back because of my gender; in fact, I’ve been fortunate to have strong female role models as line managers throughout my career. My biggest message is this: never let gender be a deterrent if it’s something you’re passionate about.”
Patricia Conroy, Continuous Improvement Specialist, Pipelife
“When I first began working in Continuous Improvement, I was the only woman in a team of fourteen industrial engineers. At the time, that felt significant. Some colleagues were unsure what to expect from a woman in Industrial Engineering. However, as we worked together, any sense of difference faded. I was judged not by my gender, but by my contribution. That experience reinforced a lesson I carry with me: competence builds confidence, both in yourself and in others’ perception of you.”
Mary Tappenden, Automation Engineer
“My main role is to keep every machine and robot in the Automation department running smoothly. This means that each day is different, I could be doing PLC programming, robot coding, electrical fault finding, mechanical and pneumatic work all in one day. To be a woman in STEM is all I have ever known since leaving school, and although it can be a traditionally male field, I find it very rewarding and I could not imagine working in any other sector. I am very lucky to have had some wonderful mentors throughout my apprenticeship and into working life who have all supported me and helped me become the engineer that I am today. One of the things I love about being in STEM is that I am continuously learning and every day is different.”
Molly Ward, Product Manager- Renewables, and STEM Ambassador
“Throughout my education and career, I’ve been fortunate to have teachers, mentors, and colleagues who never made me feel limited because of my gender. I know that isn’t everyone’s experience, and research shows that by the age of seven, many children already internalise stereotypes about what jobs are “for them,” shaped by factors like gender, social background, and race. That’s why volunteer programmes like STEM Ambassadors are so important. Representation matters and showing young people the breadth of opportunities in STEM whoever you are, can inspire them to imagine a career in the field.”
Judy Lloyd, Research and Development Technician, Laboratory and STEM Ambassador
“As a woman in STEM, I’ve been fortunate to feel consistently supported by my colleagues, and I’ve always known that my perspective is valued. Being part of this field gives me the chance to model confidence and self-belief, and I hope that my example encourages others in the industry to recognise their own capability and strengths”.
Kelly Leaney, Payroll & HR Administrator, Pinxton
"I studied geography at university and with much of that being statistics based, it sparked my passion for data and analytical thinking. In my current role I rely on systems, data, and digital platforms every day, and I love how much there is to learn in this field. I want my daughter to see that learning doesn’t stop at 18 or 21, you can change direction, grow, and keep discovering what you enjoy. Believing in yourself is essential, especially when people sometimes look down on you simply for being female in the workplace; in fact, that bias has only made me more determined to succeed. Thankfully, perceptions are changing for the better, and I’m proud to be part of that shift.”
We are proud to celebrate these talented women driving innovation across wienerberger. Their passion, expertise, and commitment to inspiring the next generation reflect the impact women continue to make in STEM, helping build a more inclusive and forward‑thinking future.
