On International Women’s Day, the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA) celebrates the women whose skills, leadership and determination are shaping Victoria’s major infrastructure projects and the many different pathways that bring them into the industry.
Across our three project offices of health, roads and rail, women are contributing to complex projects which deliver lasting benefits for communities. Their journeys show there is no single way into construction or engineering, only a willingness to learn, take opportunities and back yourself.
Translating healthcare needs into built environments
For Kate Fatovich, Project Director on the Barwon Women’s and Children’s, construction became a way to improve healthcare outcomes at scale. The major project will expand health care facilities for families in the Geelong area.
‘Working in healthcare, I developed a genuine passion for improving healthcare outcomes, access and the environments where care happens,’ she says. ‘Construction – particularly in the health infrastructure space – offered a pathway where I could combine problem solving, collaboration and translate the way hospitals and healthcare work into a built form to create meaningful, long lasting impact for communities.’
Kate’s career did not follow a traditional or linear construction pathway. Instead, she leaned into roles which challenged her and exposed her to increasingly complex projects.
‘Rather than following a linear or traditional route into the construction industry, I leaned into roles that challenged me,’ she says, describing experience across clinical service redesign, capital planning and hospital commissioning. Over time, this reinforced construction as a field where she could both grow professionally and make a difference.
Working on major health infrastructure projects at VIDA Health has broadened Kate’s exposure to multidisciplinary teams and complex delivery environments.
‘Working closely with a diverse range of people from all different professional backgrounds – construction, architectural, engineering, clinical and operational experts – has been an incredible learning experience,’ she says.
‘VIDA Health has created an environment where that happens every day.’
From engineering to environmental leadership
For Mamode Osikoya, Environment Manager at VIDA Roads, engineering was always about solving problems – but her pathway evolved as her interests deepened.
‘I was drawn to engineering because I love solving problems,’ she says. After studying chemical engineering at university, Mamode developed an interest in water systems, wastewater treatment and resource management, which naturally expanded into environmental engineering through work in waste management and sustainability.
Her entry into construction came through opportunity – and curiosity.
‘I got into construction because the opportunity presented itself. I took it and I got hooked,’ she says. ‘I love the fact that you can see a project from the beginning to the end, with a tangible deliverable.’
Mamode credits VIDA Roads with providing opportunities which support her professional growth, including access to networks and further study. Through the Women in Transport network, she received a fully funded scholarship to complete a master’s degree in environmental engineering, which she completed in 2025.
‘The scholarship didn’t just support me financially it expanded my opportunities,’ she says. ‘It gave me access to specialised knowledge in environmental systems, mentorship, and a network of professionals focused on sustainability.’
Combined with her chemical engineering background, these experiences have positioned Mamode to understand how design and engineering decisions translate into real-world and environmental outcomes – insight gained by working across multiple projects from start to finish at VIDA Roads.
Her advice to other women considering the industry is direct: ‘Just do it. The industry needs more women.’ She also emphasises confidence and advocacy: ‘Your voice matters. If there is no seat at the table for you, pull one up and speak up.’
Starting out and building toward leadership
For Sarah Gaedke, Graduate Civil Engineer at VIDA Rail, the Big Build Graduate Program provided a clear entry point into major infrastructure.
‘My pathway into construction was the Big Build Graduate Program,’ she says. Motivated by a desire to make a difference, Sarah applied for the program to work on large projects with positive community.
Since joining VIDA Rail, Sarah has been supported through rotations across different disciplines, mentoring and structured learning opportunities that have helped shape her early career.
‘Learning and development is part of the culture at VIDA Rail,’ she says, describing supportive teams which care about graduate goals and ambitions.
‘As part of the program, graduates are matched with an experienced professional from the organisation who offers their expertise and insights learnt from many years in the industry.’
This exposure has encouraged Sarah to think beyond her immediate role and consider future leadership pathways. ‘I’ve been challenged to think of the bigger picture and have been encouraged to practice leadership despite only recently finishing my studies,’ she says – this experience has motivated her to pursue management or leadership roles in the future.