EMPOWERING WOMEN IN ENGINEERING: A CONVERSATION WITH SARAH BONNICI, CEO OF ARYIUM

The field of engineering, long dominated by men, is witnessing an inspiring shift led by visionaries like Sarah Borg Bonnici, CEO of Aryium. Sarah’s story is not just a testament to her resilience but also a blueprint for fostering inclusivity and collaboration in an industry ripe for evolution. During our conversation, she shared her experiences navigating neurodiversity, reshaping leadership norms, and creating a company culture that empowers individuals to thrive.

Sarah’s journey began with a strong foundation in architecture and structural engineering, which she pursued with determination, despite the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry. After earning her qualifications in Malta, she moved to the UK to expand her horizons, working with high-profile firms and eventually co-founding Aryium. The company specializes in multidisciplinary consultancy services for life sciences, solving complex problems with innovative solutions.

Her career path underscores the importance of perseverance and adaptability. “The most precious resource we’ve got in this industry is people,” she emphasised, highlighting her commitment to nurturing talent and challenging traditional norms.

Diagnosed with ADHD two years ago, Sarah’s approach to leadership is formed by her neurodivergence. Her ability to hyperfocus, process information quickly, and multitask has become a superpower in managing Aryium’s diverse projects. However, she acknowledges the challenges: “You have to retrain your brain to get the same sort of dopamine hits from ongoing processes as you do from immediate problem-solving.”

This self-awareness allows her to lead by example, demonstrating that neurodiversity is not a limitation but an asset. By designing a flexible work environment, Aryium accommodates different working styles, ensuring that employees can perform at their best. “It’s about working with your brain, not against it,” she explained.

As a female leader, Sarah provides a unique perspective on collaboration and problem-solving in engineering. She believes that women often excel in fostering communication and teamwork, essential traits for managing multidisciplinary projects. However, she also pointed out systemic barriers that women face, from imposter syndrome to societal expectations.

“Women are trained to support and bridge agreement, but we also need to assert our convictions,” she noted. By balancing empathy with decisiveness, Sarah exemplifies how women can lead with authenticity and strength.

A hallmark of Aryium’s ethos is ‘true collaboration’. Sarah described her approach to teamwork as “you and the people you’re with against the problem,” shifting the focus from individual achievements to collective success. This mindset is particularly crucial in life sciences and construction, where diverse expertise is needed to address complex challenges.

Contracts and traditional project structures often hinder collaboration, but Sarah believes in redesigning these frameworks to foster trust and open communication. Her anecdote about a ‘contingency pot’ in a Cambridge University project illustrated how shared responsibility can incentivize teams to solve problems proactively rather than passing the buck.

Imposter syndrome affects individuals across genders, but Sarah’s candid reflections highlight how it manifests differently in women. “I don’t have imposter syndrome because I’m female,” she said. “I have it because I think, ‘What on Earth am I doing around these people?’” Her advice to young professionals is simple yet powerful: assess your strengths and weaknesses honestly and build a support network that encourages growth.

Sarah’s emphasis on self-awareness and continuous learning demonstrates how leaders can turn doubt into a catalyst for improvement.

Having lived and worked across the globe, Sarah has a deep appreciation for cultural diversity in engineering. She noted how cultural norms influence communication, decision-making, and hierarchy in teams. “How you communicate to every person is different,” she emphasised, stressing the importance of adapting to individual and cultural contexts. This adaptability has been instrumental in Aryium’s success as a global consultancy.

At Aryium, leadership’s not about ego but about achieving the best outcomes for clients and employees. Sarah’s humility and willingness to listen have fostered a company culture where feedback and collaboration thrive. Her commitment to creating a supportive environment extends to recognizing when a project might not be the right fit for Aryium. “Sometimes the right team may not be us, and that’s okay,” she explained.

This mindset, coupled with her drive to make engineering more inclusive and equitable, positions Aryium as a trailblazer in the industry.

Sarah’s insights offer invaluable lessons for women aspiring to leadership in engineering. She advises embracing individuality and building resilience while challenging outdated norms: “The most impactful leaders are those willing to take risks and make decisions, even when it’s uncomfortable.”

Her final piece of advice to young professionals experiencing self-doubt is to look around analytically. “Understand your strengths and weaknesses, and work to bolster what you need,” she said. This focus on self-improvement and collaboration forms the cornerstone of her leadership philosophy.

Sarah Borg Bonnici’s journey is a reminder that success in engineering is not just about technical expertise but also about creating spaces where people can bring their whole selves to work. By leading with empathy, fostering collaboration, and championing diversity, Sarah is redefining what it means to be a leader in the 21st century.

Her story is an inspiration to women in engineering and beyond, showing that by embracing challenges and supporting others, we can build a more inclusive and innovative future.

In a competitive talent market, it’s essential to make sure your business is inclusive and welcoming to all. It’s also the right thing to do. Check out our resources page and download our free guides to understand how to make sure your business is on the right track to becoming an employer of choice in the life science industry.