Celebrating Beca women at the 2024 NAWIC Excellence Awards

We are thrilled to celebrate Priyani de Silva-Currie who received the Helen Tippett award at this year’s National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Excellence Awards, held at Tākina in Wellington on 19 July.

From her remarkable beginnings as a refugee to rising as a Technical Fellow at Beca, Priyani is an advocate for women in infrastructure and gender equality. She has 30+ years of technical expertise across numerous infrastructure sectors.  Priyani has not only designed governmental policies but has fervently championed diversity and inclusivity, tirelessly working to empower all women and amplify the small and minority voices that need to be heard. 

In the Student Excellence category, Sariah Hann was awarded a special merit. Sariah grew up in Christchurch amidst the city's reconstruction, and this instilled in her an appreciation for the power of engineering. Her commitment and skills are key to delivering Beca's projects on schedule and to client satisfaction.

Also, in the Student Excellence category we had finalist Cayla Warner. Cayla is currently in her third year of Mechanical Engineering at Waikato University, and she aspires to collaborate on developing imaginative solutions for New Zealand's infrastructure challenges. 

In the Rising Star – Site category, Georgia Hayden was recognised as a finalist. Georgia has been excelling as an assistant Engineer’s representative for the State Highway 2, Waihi to Omokoroa project, working to reduce the risk of death and serious injury on this road for the wellbeing of our communities.



A big congratulations to these remarkable women for their recognition at the awards, and notable contributions to Beca. Beca also acknowledges the other extraordinary winners, finalists and nominees from across the industry for their achievements.  
 
About NAWIC:

NAWIC brings together women from across the construction industry, and gives them a space to share experiences, connect and learn from one another. The Excellence Awards are an important way to work towards bridging the gender gap in the New Zealand construction industry, and to create somewhere for women to be acknowledged and celebrated in a variety of different award categories.

For more information on the NAWIC Excellence Awards, click here.