Women in Aluminium: The challenges behind progress and the milestones that followed

In the first part of the “Women in Aluminium: Real Stories. Real Shifts” article series, we explored the beginnings of these women’s journeys, starting from their first jobs to the roles they occupy now, highlighting the pivotal moments that led them into this field. Now, as we dive into the second part of the series, the story unfolds about the challenges they faced along the way as well as the projects and milestones that not only signify progress but also embody their sense of purpose.

One theme is the common and uncommon challenges faced by these women and how they overcame them.

The journey within the global aluminium industry, be it a leadership position, operational success or taking a strategic decision, is always built on a fundamental question that often goes unasked: What did it really take for them to reach where they are standing now?

What stood out most in shaping their career is the perfect blend of opportunities, valuable lessons and shifting expectations. But, considering the industry to be male-dominated, earning credibility over time has been most challenging while making one’s mark within the industry.

Amy Bird, Founder of Women in Recycling, stated, “The most obvious barrier has been operating in a traditionally male-dominated industry where credibility is often assumed rather than earned, unless you’re a woman, in which case you earn it daily.”

Another challenge faced while navigating through their journey was maintaining pace with the ever-evolving dynamics of the industry. Conditions like market shifts, adapting new technologies or coping with sustainability demands, adaptability has been the key solution for most.

Véronique Dufour, the Supervisor of Operations at EPIQ Digital, said, “At the beginning of my career, being more technical and less involved with non-technical people, I faced a few challenges while interacting with them, because I was not used to putting myself in their shoes and understanding their perspective.”

After years in the industry, tackling these challenges has become a part of their journey. How? By being committed to continuous learning, expanding their skillsets and embracing every role that came on their path to stay connected and blend with the hooks and nooks of the industry.

Lucy Thomas, the Raw Materials Procurement Manager at Norsk Hydro, commented, "I invested time in learning, taking courses, visiting suppliers’ yards, walking the plant floor, and understanding how the scrap I purchased was used in operations."

Apart from these, some uncommon challenges faced by these women were the times of uncertainty, which were not much about the ability, but rather moments of doubt. As per these women, there have been times when proving one’s worth felt just as crucial as actually doing their assigned roles.

Because in many cases, the question was never “Is this possible?”, but rather, “How do I make this work despite the barriers?”

As stated by Julie Lessard, the Executive Director of REEL. "During my years as a Project Manager, the most notable challenges were being taken seriously as a young woman in a traditionally male-dominated environment."

Another theme explored here is the projects and milestones that these women are proud of

As these women roared through various challenges and barriers, they did not navigate them but scaled up and marked their importance within the industry.

In the current scenario, the women in the global aluminium industry are leading projects that create a difference in their day-to-day operations as well as drafting long-term strategies for the business.

From enhancing production processes to playing a key role in sustainability initiatives, these women, with each day, became more and more in tune with the direction the industry is taking.

Inga Simonenko, the Head of Market Intelligence & Low Carbon Solutions at RUSAL Marketing, said, "The most meaningful milestones, personally, are customer moments. When a conversation moves from a general sustainability intention to a concrete, verifiable pathway, it creates real progress."

Many of these women have spearheaded major operational projects and others played key roles in driving innovation, embracing digital transformation and boosting efficiency. Alongside this, women also took initiatives like building a strong team, mentoring new talents and influencing the decisions within the firm.

Sara Strand, the R&D Engineer at ABB, stated, "I am particularly proud of contributing to development projects that have led to measurable improvements in product quality and performance."

These achievements are significant not just for what they are, but for what they symbolise: A shift from merely participating to truly leading, from just being present to making a real impact.

Stay tuned for the third part of the series, where we will explore the most valuable lessons they gained in their journey and what changes they believe will shape the industry in the coming years.