An international leadership journey

25 February 2026

Youvrani Thimmegowda, winner of the CIWEM Presidential Ripple Award and Women in FCERM’s Equality Leadership Award 2025 reflects on her career journey from India to the European water sector

I have often reflected on where my determination and love for water and the environment come from. The answer always leads me back to my parents – and to my hometown of Chikmagalur in southern India, a place defined by forests, hills and rivers. Growing up surrounded by this landscape made nature feel not like a resource, but a responsibility.

My mother, especially, was truly unstoppable. She was a cyclist, a karate instructor and even acted in a movie. At the age of 55 she went back to college and earned her master’s degree in political science, showing me that it is never too late to grow and pursue one’s passions. My mother shaped my earliest understanding of equality. In our home, there was no distinction between what a girl or a boy could or could not do. My siblings and I shared responsibilities equally, and through these everyday actions, I learned fairness, accountability and respect, values that continue to guide my professional life.

Early career in the water sector

My father instilled in me the discipline of consistency. As a chief officer in the Municipal Office, he would often take us to water treatment plants. Watching complex systems transform raw water into a vital public resource fascinated me – and I learned early that water is more predictable than humans, which is why I stuck with engineering. Those visits planted the seed of my lifelong interest in the water sector.

This curiosity led me to pursue environmental engineering and after completing my degree, I joined an NGO where my professional foundation was truly shaped. I worked alongside scientists, farmers, students and women’s self-help groups, teaching sustainable water practices and supporting the implementation of rainwater harvesting systems at the community level. This work required not only technical understanding, but empathy, communication and trust – skills that continue to define my approach today.

It was also during this time that I experienced first-hand the gender bias that still exists in technical fields. On several occasions, I was told, “You are a woman, go back. You are not an engineer.” My response? To smile and do my work better than anyone else. Over time, these spaces became platforms for change. By being visible, leading projects and sharing my experiences, I inspired young girls and students to see that engineering and environmental careers are spaces where they belong.

Seeing girls ask questions, get excited about water systems and consider engineering careers made all those early dismissals worth it. As my confidence grew, so did my sense of responsibility. I wanted girls to see that engineering is not defined by gender, but by curiosity, capability and commitment.

Becoming chartered with CIWEM

I joined Atkins after a year’s career break for maternity leave. My professional journey took a defining turn during my time at Atkins as assistant engineer. In 2013 I attended a chartership journey presentation delivered by Viswanatha Bachireddy, which deeply inspired me. But there was a significant gap in professional development opportunities for water and environmental practitioners, with no structured programme to support individuals progressing toward chartership.

Taking initiative, I led and established the first CIWEM training programme at Atkins India, becoming its first trainee. I collaborated with senior UK colleagues and organised a landmark session led by Tim Simms, then director of membership and professional standards at CIWEM. I am also proud to be the first woman at Atkins India to achieve chartered membership with CIWEM.

Leading a school awareness course

Along this journey, I was fortunate to have the guidance of my mentor, Gurucharan Singh, who has been a constant guiding light, then and now. At moments of uncertainty, his clarity, encouragement and belief in me helped me find direction and confidence. He did not just guide my career; he shaped my outlook on leadership, responsibility and service. Watching the way he invested time and trust in others taught me that true professional success is measured not only by personal achievement, but by how we uplift those around us.

Because of his influence, mentoring has become an integral part of my journey. Giving back – supporting, guiding and empowering others – feels like a natural extension of the light he once shone on my path.

My commitment to mentoring and developing others continued to grow after joining AECOM Ireland as principal engineer and hydraulic modelling lead. I actively supported CIWEM mentoring initiatives and worked closely with AECOM teams, guiding professionals through the chartership process and helping them build confidence in their competencies. In 2024, I delivered a series of in-depth CIWEM competency sessions to the AECOM Bangalore team. This inspired many to pursue membership, resulting in increased engagement and CIWEM membership uptake. The sessions also proved that adults sometimes need guidance too – especially when the word ‘chartership’ can sound scarier than a final exam.

Achievement and recognition

As my involvement with CIWEM deepened, I took on the role of accreditation assessor, supporting the evaluation of professional submissions and CPD records. I also became an active member – and now secretary – of the CIWEM Republic of Ireland branch. In this role, I have worked to grow CIWEM’s visibility and membership, organising high-impact events including a collaboration with Engineers Ireland’s Water and Environment Society.

Featuring then CIWEM president Hannah Burgess, the event focused on embedding resilience in infrastructure and environmental systems – an increasingly critical challenge in the context of climate change. Under my leadership, member engagement and participation within the branch have increased.

Pictured with CIWEM president John Curtin at Drapers' Hall in London

Looking back, every achievement and recognition has been rooted in the values I learned early on: equality, discipline, consistency and service. The recognition I have received, including the CIWEM Presidential Ripple Award and the Equality Leadership Award at last year’s Women in Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Awards, is not an endpoint, but a milestone in a journey defined by purpose, mentorship and a commitment to building a sustainable future.

Looking ahead I would like to achieve fellowship with CIWEM and to increase the visibility of the institution in Ireland by organising more events. If nothing else, I hope my success shows that determination, a bit of humour and a love for water can take you from Chikmagalur to the world stage.

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Nominations for the Women in Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Awards 2026 close at 18:00 on Friday 06 March 2026. It is free to enter either yourself or a colleague – enter here.

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Youvrani Thimmegowda is an associate director at AECOM