Celebrating women for IWD – Purnima and Shannan
All week we have been putting a spotlight on some of our fantastic female colleagues in the lead up to International Women’s Day 2024. In the last article in this year’s series, we are speaking to Purnima Rambaran and Shannan Bhandal.
Purnima
What do you do at the Hub?
I am currently working as Net Zero Programme Manager at the Hub and mainly working on the Midlands Regional Retrofit Skills Pilot programme. The programme is looking at how we can scale up supply chain in order to deliver levels of retrofit to decarbonise homes and make significant progress towards meeting our Net Zero target.
What made you want to get into the net zero sector?
I have always been very passionate about protection of our environment in my personal life and find it extremely rewarding that I am able to contribute to making this world a better place for us as well as our kids professionally too.
What has your greatest success been?
My proudest success is being capable to fulfil my duties as a daughter, a sister and a mum whilst having a rewarding career. It’s not always easy but my faith, beliefs, and positive attitude keep me going.
What role has the Hub played in supporting your journey?
It is an absolute pleasure working at the Hub. Our efforts are always appreciated, and we are given plenty of equal opportunities for career progression as well as personal development.
Do you have any advice for women who want to work in sustainability?
As women, we have the strength, empathy and resilience to make a positive difference to lives of the previous, current and future generations. We just need to believe in ourselves and keep going no matter what life throws at us.
Shannan
What do you do at the Hub?
I am a Principal Building Decarbonisation Project Officer. My role involves supporting local authorities to access funding to decarbonise their estates.
What role has the Hub played in supporting your journey?
It’s great being surrounded by so many passionate people who you can see are really advocating for change. The Hub is a collection of really supportive people who have helped me learn a lot in a short space of time from their varying backgrounds and areas of expertise.
Do you have any advice for women who want to work in sustainability?
Working in sustainability is so rewarding and has many opportunities for growth in different career paths. There is room for all women with diverse backgrounds and skills who are needed to overcome the many challenges faced in working in sustainability. Go for it and make your impact on the world!
