In this episode you’ll hear from Kat Parsons, Group Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Centrica.
Kat reflects on her childhood love for the outdoors, which led her to the challenging field of contaminated land management. She describes making ‘mud pies’ as a child, only to end up doing the same thing as an adult in a more professional capacity!
Kat’s story of discovering the power of authenticity is inspirational. Working in male-dominated industries like construction Kat explains how she adopted the ‘chameleon effect’, becoming more masculine and swearing to try and fit in.“I'd turn up to site, put my hard hats and rigger boots on and I'd be a different person”, Kat says. She would also shy away from being honest about her sexuality.
Kat moved from Construction to facilities management, and was surprised to learn the organisation had an LGBTQIA network, something she hadn’t experienced previously. She also reveals how this was the most diverse workforce she has ever been a part of; “It was actually just such a breath of fresh air that I could be the same person inside and outside work”. Kat then became Head of Diversity and Inclusion and, with insight from her own personal experiences, took the company to Highly Commended at the European Diversity Awards.
To learn more about STEMazing, and this week’s guest, head to https://www.stemazing.co.uk/podcast