International Women’s Day is a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. At Delta-Q Technologies, we are proud of the talented women who work here and their contributions to our company. This year, we interviewed Sarah MacKinnon, Hema Nanjundaiah, and Akanksha Kapil to learn more about what they do at Delta-Q, their experience as a woman in the engineering and technology field, and their advice for other women.
What do you do at Delta-Q Technologies?
Sarah: I am the Co-CEO and CFO, which means I co-lead all aspects of the business at Delta-Q. Together with Steve, our other Co-CEO, I am responsible for setting multi-year and annual strategies and objectives and ensuring we have the team and processes in place to deliver results against those strategies.
Hema: I work as a Software Test Engineer in the Software Department at Delta-Q. I am responsible for software validation which requires me to uncover and identify the erroneous behaviour of the software.
Akanksha: I am the Content Marketing Manager at Delta-Q. My primary responsibilities include planning, developing, and implementing our company’s overall content strategy.
What excites you most about your role at Delta-Q Technologies?
Sarah: I love being able to have an impact in a growth company that is helping create a sustainable future.
Hema: A positive environment, support from my team members, and the opportunity to continuously learn about different charger products keep me motivated. I am electrified to see the EV industry grow and am pleased that our company is advancing in this sector.
Akanksha: I feel fortunate to work at a company where I can identify and showcase our work and how we are making the world a cleaner and more sustainable place. I learn from our customers and see the futuristic technology coming up in their industries. For example, at a construction trade show in 2020, I saw a demo of these autonomous robotic dogs that were created to work in remote, dangerous, and unsafe site conditions. It’s fulfilling to be in an industry where our company and our customers are innovating, looking to combat climate change and make a positive impact, rather than sticking to the norm.
What inspired you to work for an engineering tech company?
Sarah: I have spent most of my career in technology companies. It’s really important for me to be working in a company that is making a difference in the world by designing and manufacturing their own products and positively impacting the planet. At Delta-Q, we are enabling vehicle electrification, which contributes to lowering carbon emissions by eliminating the use of internal combustion engines. Equally as important, I love working at a company where those around me are equally passionate about what they do for work.
Hema: It is mainly my educational background in Engineering. I had the opportunity to work in the aerospace and transportation (railways) field, and now here I am, working in the electric automotive field.
Akanksha: I always wanted to work for a company that is making a difference in the world while learning and being challenged by the complexity of the products. Coming from a non-engineering background, learning about the complexity of how battery chargers and battery technology work was very intriguing. Especially since these aren’t concepts I would have learned on a regular day. At Delta-Q, I learn about a wide range of topics from the technologies developed by our company, partners, and customers to industry trends and regulations. I then share those stories and educate our customers in various content formats while playing a prominent role in charging the future and making the world a more sustainable place.
What do you think is the best part about being a woman in the engineering/tech field?
Sarah: I don’t often think about the male versus female question at work despite generally being one of the few women at the leadership table during my career. I have been fortunate that I have worked in companies where my gender has not impacted my career development. At Delta-Q, we are all one team, and (I believe) aren’t differentiated internally by our gender. However, celebrating International Women’s Day at Delta-Q has led me to think about this question more as, although we have a strong diverse workforce at Delta-Q, we have a low percentage of women in engineering and related departments. This highlights that this industry has a lot more to do to encourage women to consider engineering as a career and to make that path more attractive and welcoming. At Delta-Q, this is something we are working to influence more through our co-op programs.
Hema: In the current era where technologies evolve overnight, I am excited and glad to see that we are able to contribute towards a better future, make a significant impact, and excel.
Akanksha: I get to be a part of this innovative industry where we can also be role models for future generations of women. Although we are in a predominantly male-dominated field, we can showcase that women have made and are making a huge difference in this field and are at the forefront of change. I am also glad to work with some knowledgeable individuals who can create technologies that are truly transitioning the world in a better direction.
If you could give one piece of advice to women looking to enter the engineering/tech industry, what would it be?
Sarah: Go for it! The world needs more women in engineering and tech companies. These are companies that are defining our future and solving big problems that our planet is faced with today. Joining this industry is an opportunity to make a difference!
Hema: Explore your interests and don’t stress yourself. Put in some time to get more information about the industry and/or the company you are applying to. An eagerness to learn or an appetite for knowledge will take you a long way and will help you build your confidence in this field.
Akanksha: Be yourself, honest and confident. Take advantage of networking opportunities with other women in the industry to see what their experiences have been like. Don’t doubt yourself, and if this is something that you are interested in, pursue it! Also, don’t be afraid to join a company where there may be fewer or more women, as it’s truly about who you are, the work you do and the value you bring to a company and vice versa.
