The initiative is supported by a small group of volunteers drawn from organisations in different parts of the sector. This group has been established to steer the four stages of our work. Going forward we plan to establish a more formal committee of all genders and at various levels of seniority to ensure we represent the members we serve.
Eventually we would also like the group to be able to focus on wider aspects of diversity than simply gender.
Amy Shaw
Environment Agency
Amy is the current lead for Women in FCERM, having sat on the steering group for several years, and previously co-leading the WiFCERM group mentoring programme, which supports women in the sector with their personal and professional development. Amy is a flood risk manager at the Environment Agency.
angela barber
Environment Agency
Angela has been co-lead of the WiFCERM group mentoring programme since 2021, and part of the committee since 2022. Working in the FCERM sector for the last 15 years, Angela has seen first-hand how the programme and other wider WIFCERM events support women to develop and grow.
emily blaney
arup
Emily has six years’ experience in flood risk management. She joined the Midlands and Anglian committee in 2018, is passionate about gender equity and keen to make a local impact in the industry. Emily now leads the Midlands and Anglian regional committee, offering local networking opportunities and events.
alex cutler
environment agency
Alex has worked in the FCERM sector for 8 years and is FCERM lead on climate change and strategic business lead for the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme. Alex joined the committee in 2023 as co-lead for the WiFCERM affiliate membership. Alex has also taken part in the WiFCERM mentoring programme.
Sophie Dunajko
CIWEM
Sophie is the Head of Membership at CIWEM and provides a link between WiFCERM, CIWEM and other professional institutions and their members, supporting their professional and personal development.
becky george
environment agency
Becky has worked in the FCERM sector for 16 years and joined the WiFCERM committee in 2022. Becky leads on organising the annual WiFCERM Awards which celebrate inspiring professionals and organisations which champion gender equality across the sector.
meredith hanson
binnies – an RSK company
Meredith joined the committee as the Secretariat for the Women in FCERM National Steering Group in December 2023. She has also been a member of the Midlands and Anglian WiFCERM Regional Committee since 2022.
priscilla haselhurst
lower medway internal drainage board
Priscilla joined the committee in 2022 and provides a link between WiFCERM and the Association of Drainage Authorities, the Internal Drainage Board sector, as well as the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.
CLARE MILLS
OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Clare is a chartered Engineer and Environmentalist and has worked in the industry for over 23 years, working across areas including designing of surface water systems, river engineering, planning and regulatory areas as well as flood risk assessment, business case development and resource management.
Kathryn Pettit
Environment Agency
Kathryn has worked in the FCERM sector since 2011, and joined the WiFCERM Committee in 2019, alongside co-leading the successful WiFCERM group mentoring programme.
ANTONIA MACDONALD
Environment Agency
Antonia joined the WiFCERM Committee in 2024 to co-lead on Communications and Engagement. Working generally in the FCERM sector since 2018, Antonia has worked in both the private and the public sector, from flood catastrophe modelling to operational hydrology.
JANE SELLARS
JACOBS
Jane has worked in the water sector since 2019 as a hydraulic modeller in both a consultancy and client setting. One of her goals since joining the committee in 2023 is to understand and tackle the major problems faced by women across all levels within the flood risk industry.
NERINGA JAKIMAVIÄŚIĹŞTÄ–
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
Neringa is a chartered Geographer (GIS) and has worked in the environment sector since 2015. Neringa joined the committee in 2024 as a co-lead for the WiFCERM Communications and Engagement and has also taken part in the WiFCERM mentoring programme.
womeninfcerm.org 