The infrastructure sector is still too much seen as a man's world. Nothing could be further from the truth. More and more women are finding jobs and a place in the world of civil engineering. And we are happy to introduce them to you in detail. In each edition of GWW-Bouwmat, we let a woman from the sector talk about her job and what makes it so great. In this edition, we give the floor to Mara Ririassa, Managing Director of Max Bögl Nederland.
Mara has a financial background. "I started my career at an accounting firm where I mainly did audits on financial statements, including those of a number of construction companies. I was always amazed at the many beautiful projects they were executing and the internal project management involved. That must be a fascinating world, I thought. So I took the plunge into construction and infrastructure. On the client side, at ProRail to be precise. Here I worked for seven years in various roles."
At ProRail, Mara was mainly concerned with preparing projects so that they could be put on the market. "These were often long and intensive projects, but I had little to do with the execution. A pity, because that is actually the best part of it all. At a certain point I really wanted to see the other side of the coin, the contractor's side. And I've enjoyed that so far. You matter right away. I have been working at Max Bögl Netherlands for five years now and was asked by my previous managing director to take on the role of general manager. Quite tough, actually, that he dared to put a young lady with two young children in such a position. But I am living proof that having a career and a family go together just fine."
Mara joined Max Bögl Netherlands in the role of head of business development. "My job was mainly focused on improving business processes and developing a vision of what the Max Bögl of tomorrow looks like. That's something I'm still doing today, just on a different level." And surrounded by a large number of men. "That's true, but especially in this world of men, it helps that a woman, for example, has certain soft skills that a man might have a little less. And those provide connection, so that you perform to the maximum as a team. Incidentally, I also believe that you are judged on your qualities, not your gender."
Mara likes her role within Max Bögl Netherlands as general manager. "I learn a lot, and can't deny that when I have to do something new, I sometimes find it quite exciting. That's human and part of the job. Furthermore, I see it as one of my most important tasks to keep our people stimulated by stimulating, engaging and binding them in the right way. And above all, of course, we operate in a beautiful and dynamic sector. You see outside directly the results of what we do and with our unique propositions in, for example, the energy market and our Modular Viaduct Bögl contribute to the enormous challenges we face as a country."
Mara proves that carrying a beautiful responsibility at work and keeping a family running at home can go hand in hand. "I want to advise other women, but especially the younger generation, to believe in yourself and to be yourself. Then you will come a long way. I also only meet two of the 'famous' seven check marks." True to form.