Rachel Blair Winkler
Rachel is a Vice President & General Manager at Trimble, managing Viewpoint’s construction-specific ERP business. She has been with Trimble for over 15 years, with experience in Enterprise Transportation, Civil Construction, Surveying and Mapping. Rachel holds a BSE in Operations Research & Financial Engineering from Princeton University. In 2005, Rachel was a US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Grand Challenge finalist, a competition to develop a fully autonomous vehicle capable of completing a 212km desert trek. Her experience has centred around the use of disruptive technology to transform industries with measurable customer ROI and she is a passionate advocate for how technology can be used to create a better, safer and greener future for infrastructure globally.
Rachel is currently undertaking the Construction Engineering Masters at the University of Cambridge, which she considers a significant step to taking her passion for infrastructure and making its future more sustainable and equitable.
What sparked your interest in engineering? Is it the same that inspires today?
My father was an architect. Driving around and seeing his buildings inspired me to dream big about what I could build myself one day. I remember him sketching on napkins at every single breakfast, lunch or dinner table. I grew to have that same curiosity, constantly seeking an answer to a tricky problem, learning to appreciate the fun of the journey. The problem-solving process, or sketching on the back of a napkin, is often more satisfying than the finished product.
What challenges do women face in the Engineering professions? Do you think there is a stereotype of Women Engineers?
I cannot tell you how often I have been told you have to work harder as a woman. There is sadly some truth in this, but this narrative is now self-limiting. It's time for us to change the story. We have equal footing and different and complementary skill sets to men. Bringing more women into engineering will create a more balanced and complete team of problem solvers. I am confident more diversity in engineering and construction is going to make the future better, faster and greener.
Bringing more women into engineering will create a more balanced and complete team of problem solvers. I am confident more diversity in engineering and construction is going to make the future better, faster and greener
Rachel Blair Winkler
What is the ratio of females to males in your workplace?
29% women and 16% women in leadership... but the percentage of women goes down the higher the leadership positions go. Focusing on the leadership pipeline and development of all kinds of diverse talent is more important than ever before.
What does a typical day in your job involve? What is the most exciting thing about your job?
Working with customers! Every day brings a new challenge and what gets me out of bed in the morning and sometimes wakes me up at 3am is thinking about our customers' challenges and how we can solve them.
You are currently studying for the Construction Engineering Masters at the University of Cambridge. What inspired you to take this course at this stage of your career?
Personal growth! I'm a huge fan of American Psychologist, Carol Dweck, and her "Growth Mindset" work. I believe you can learn or do anything you choose to do. This was a great step for me to take my passion for infrastructure and want to make the future of it more sustainable and equitable to the next level.
What kind of impact would bring you great satisfaction in your work?
Seeing my team thrive. At a certain point in your career, and I would argue right from the very beginning, it's not about your efficiency, it's about your effectiveness. Seeing your team grow, conquer challenges, and work together is the greatest reward.
What are your hopes for the future of Engineering?
50% women in engineering! I would like to see the entire field more representative of the world it serves. When we do that, through all kinds of diversity, I am confident we will have more sustainable and equitable solutions.
What advice do you have for the next generation of women interested in engineering?
Every step along the way, including failures, is a learning opportunity. Celebrate the successes as a team and learn from each other to laugh off the rest. Go, go, go and don't look back... You've got this!