To mark International Women’s Day 2026, Sequana Group hosted a virtual panel discussion exploring the theme “Shared Success: How We Build Opportunity Together.” The conversation brought together leaders from across the group to reflect on how advocacy, mentorship and inclusive leadership shape both individual careers and stronger project outcomes.
Moderated by Zoe Walsh (Director – Brand, Marketing & Communications), the panel featured Clarissa Toh (Lead Engineer – EC & I), Dani Brunton (Senior Project Manager), Molaí Madden (Senior Project Engineer), and Sofia Anagnostaras (Practice Lead – People & Landscapes).
Together, they shared personal stories about pivotal career moments where someone chose to advocate for them, provide visibility, or create opportunities that accelerated their growth.
Across sectors including infrastructure, humanitarian engineering and social performance advisory, the conversation highlighted a common theme: success is rarely achieved alone.
For Dani Brunton, one of those defining moments came when a senior leader entrusted her with responsibilities she initially felt unprepared for. “Someone saw potential in me before I saw it in myself,”
She described how stepping into unfamiliar leadership roles early in her career helped build confidence and capability. “I was given opportunities before I felt ready for them, and stepping into those spaces ultimately shaped almost a decade of my career.”
For Molaí Madden, early advocacy can make a profound difference when entering new environments or industries. “Having someone advocate for you early in a new environment can completely shift your confidence and credibility.”
She also highlighted the power of sponsorship and the impact of leaders who actively create space for emerging professionals. “When someone gives you a seat at the table early, it shifts your confidence and helps you build credibility much faster.”
Inclusive Leadership Strengthens Technical Outcomes
Beyond career development, the panel explored the important relationship between inclusive leadership and technical excellence.
In complex engineering and infrastructure environments, better outcomes are achieved when diverse perspectives are welcomed and encouraged.
As Clarissa Toh explained, “No single person sees the full risk picture. Diversity of thinking helps uncover blind spots and strengthen solutions.”
Creating an environment where people feel comfortable raising ideas or concerns is also critical for safety and performance. “When people feel safe to speak up, teams solve problems faster and deliver stronger technical outcomes.”
From a social performance perspective, Sofia Anagnostaras emphasised that inclusion helps teams identify risks and opportunities that might otherwise be overlooked.
“Some of the most important project risks come from voices that aren’t always present in the room — inclusion helps ensure those perspectives are considered from the start.”
She noted that inclusive teams often produce stronger outcomes for clients, “Inclusive teams ask better questions, challenge assumptions and ultimately produce stronger advice for clients.”
The Power of Opportunity
Throughout the conversation, panellists reinforced that leadership is often expressed through small but meaningful actions that create opportunities for others.
For Sofia, one of the simplest but most impactful leadership behaviours is curiosity about people’s goals and aspirations, “Sometimes the most powerful leadership act is simply asking someone what they aspire to and helping create the opportunities to get there.”
These small gestures – whether sharing networks, inviting junior team members into important conversations or recommending colleagues for opportunities – can have a significant impact on someone’s career.
As Molaí reflected on her experience on project sites, “When people genuinely feel heard, they’re far more likely to raise risks and challenge unsafe situations.”
Similarly, Dani highlighted the importance of strong, cohesive teams when operating in complex or high-pressure environments, “When you’re leading in complex environments, diverse teams are essential. Different perspectives help you respond faster and make better decisions under pressure.”
Building Opportunity Together
Ultimately, the discussion reinforced a simple but powerful message: building opportunity for others is not a subtraction – it’s a multiplier.
When people are supported, trusted and empowered, confidence grows, capability accelerates and teams perform better together.
As Clarissa reflected, “Confidence grows through experience, especially when someone trusts you to take ownership of complex work.”
And Danielle summarised the leadership mindset that underpins shared success, “Leadership is about giving people enough challenge to grow while making sure they always know you have their back.”
As the Sequana Group continues to grow, the panel’s message was clear: by intentionally opening doors for others, the organisation strengthens its people, projects and partnerships.
Because when we build opportunity together, we build better outcomes together.
