Rebecca Alexandre MCIWEM C.WEM CSci

How long have you been a member of CIWEM?

Chartered since March 2020, Student Member since 2012.

What does being a member of CIWEM mean to you?

Being a member of CIWEM (and participant of CIWEM activities throughout my career) has helped me view my professional journey as exciting. It's given my rich opportunities to both learn from experts in the field and contribute to the progress of others.

What advice would you give to anyone considering starting out on the application process?

Surround yourself with people who will support you and help you prepare for this career milestone!

How do you think your membership/professional registration will support you in your career?

It's given me confidence to reach out for more challenges and heightened my sense of responsibility towards others in my profession and in society in general.

Please describe your job role and day to day activities that your job entails?

I specialise in creating flood data for global re/insurance use. For the past 7 years I've specialised in national-scale flood mapping, but recently I became a strategic lead for our global flood assessment report service. I also have experience evaluating subsidence data research and I will soon be working on projects relating to International Disaster Risk Reduction.

What inspired you towards a career in this sector?

I was inspired by a university field mission I took to Haiti as part of the UN's Haiti Regeneration Initiative in 2011. Haiti's a beautiful land with a beautiful culture and people who sadly experience environment disasters regularly. Learning about the pressures of environmental, social and economic demands and how some environmental programs are helping to alleviate those pressures fueled my desire to have a career in this industry.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Getting Chartered!

What do you see as the biggest changes facing the sector over the next 10 years?

Being adaptable and flexible to change - new opportunities and threats - will be a challenge facing our industry.

Correct as of July 2020.