From industrial engineering and AI to digital transformation, Sook Won Moon, Marion Karanja and Loma Abbas are breaking barriers while encouraging more women to pursue careers in STEM.
As the world marks International Women in Engineering Day on 23 June, three women working in very different areas of engineering are using their experiences to encourage more young women to consider careers in science, technology and engineering.
This year’s theme, Engineering Intelligence, celebrates the creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills engineers bring to some of the world’s biggest challenges—from advancing artificial intelligence and digital transformation to improving industrial sustainability and operational efficiency.
The message comes at a time when women remain underrepresented in the profession. According to UNESCO, women account for just 28% of engineering graduates worldwide and 35% of STEM graduates overall, highlighting the need to inspire more girls and young women to pursue careers in these fields.
Building solutions that make an impact
For Sook Won Moon, Vice President of Engineering Solutions at John Crane, engineering has been a career built on solving complex challenges.
Having joined the company in 1997 as an Applications Engineer, she has spent nearly three decades progressing through technical and leadership roles. Today, she leads global engineering teams developing technologies that help industries improve reliability, operational performance and sustainability.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, she said:
“Engineering Intelligence is about much more than technology. It is about curiosity, collaboration, problem-solving and the ability to turn complex challenges into practical solutions.”
She believes engineering today offers opportunities to tackle issues ranging from reducing emissions and conserving resources to supporting the energy transition through digitalisation, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
“Engineering offers the opportunities to make a real impact. Whether developing new technologies, supporting the energy transition or helping customers solve critical operational challenges, it is a profession that combines technical expertise with creativity and innovation. I would encourage anyone considering a career in engineering to explore the possibilities it can offer.”
From Kenya and Egypt to shaping the region’s AI future
For Marion Karanja and Loma Abbas, now Solution Engineers at Salesforce in the Middle East, engineering has been a journey across countries, industries and technologies.
Originally from Kenya, Karanja credits her father with encouraging her to believe she could pursue any career she chose. She went on to study Telecommunications and Information Engineering before building an international career that took her from Kenya to Germany and eventually to the UAE.
Today, she works with organisations across sectors including travel, transport and hospitality, helping them understand how artificial intelligence can transform customer experiences and business operations.
Looking back on her journey, she said:
“Today, I am an engineer because I was given an opportunity.”
One of her proudest moments came when she delivered a keynote demonstration on AI at Salesforce World Tour Dubai, describing it as a full-circle moment after years of hard work and determination.
Abbas followed a different path. Growing up in Egypt, she was driven by curiosity and a desire to understand how technology worked. After studying engineering at the German University in Cairo, she began her career in network security before making the transition into customer-facing technology consulting.
The move required stepping outside her comfort zone, but she says it proved to be one of the most rewarding decisions of her career.
“Looking back, I’m proud that I never allowed fear of change to limit my growth.”
Today, she helps organisations explore how artificial intelligence can streamline operations and solve business challenges while allowing people to spend more time on creativity and strategic thinking.
Encouraging the next generation
Although their careers have taken different paths, all three women share a common belief that diversity is essential to the future of engineering.
Sook Won Moon believes attracting more women into engineering will bring broader perspectives to solving global challenges, while Karanja and Abbas emphasise the importance of mentorship, representation and creating opportunities for future generations.
For young women considering engineering, Abbas offers simple advice:
“Don’t wait until you feel completely ready. Confidence often comes after action, not before it.”
Karanja adds that women should never feel discouraged if they are the only woman in the room.
“You do belong, and you are not alone, because others came before you and others will come after.”
Their stories demonstrate that engineering is no longer confined to traditional industries. Today, engineers are helping shape the future of artificial intelligence, sustainability, manufacturing and digital transformation—creating careers that combine technical expertise with creativity, innovation and real-world impact.
