In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright is joined by Séverine Trouillet, CEO of STEM Learning—the UK’s largest provider of STEM education and careers support. With a powerful blend of personal insight and sector expertise, Séverine shares what drives her mission to widen participation in STEM, especially for underrepresented communities.

From her reflections on having a “squiggly career” to her determination to change the narrative for girls who feel STEM isn’t for them, Séverine brings clarity, purpose, and action to the forefront. She speaks about the importance of industry collaboration, targeted outreach, and why diversity isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the backbone of future innovation.

What happens when a childhood on a dairy farm fuels a career in engineering leadership? In this episode, we dive into an inspiring journey of challenging expectations, making bold career leaps, and driving change in manufacturing. Emma Knowles shares how a background in agriculture shaped her approach to problem-solving, why she took on a £26M factory build at just 26, and how mentorship and visibility are key to bringing more women into engineering. From breaking industry norms to championing sustainability and inclusive leadership, this episode is packed with insights, real-life lessons, and game-changing advice for anyone looking to carve their own path in STEM.

Dame Dawn Childs shares her inspiring engineering journey, from joining the Royal Air Force for sponsored education to leading transformative roles at Gatwick Airport, Merlin Entertainments, and National Grid. She now heads Pure Data Centres Group, building sustainable hyperscale data centres. Dame Dawn Childs discusses the importance of inclusion and diversity in engineering, drawing on her experiences as a long-time trustee and president of the Women's Engineering Society. She emphasises the critical role of engineers in addressing global challenges and the need to showcase historical stories of pioneering women engineers to inspire the next generation.