International Women’s Day: three women at Forze share their story
While we value them every day, today we take the opportunity to give the word to the women of Forze. Three female engineers who are essential for our team tell their stories!
The women of Forze Team XVI, from left to right: Anouk van den Bulk, Marit Woudstra, Lily Krams, Cecilia Calegari, Carlotta Lichtenauer, Ana Maria Mekerishvili, Clara Babic, Lucrees Talsma, Annemijn Stokman.
Carlotta Lichtenauer, Chief Embedded Systems
Tell a bit about yourself. What is your study background and why did you choose to spend a full-time year at Forze?
I studied Computer Science and Engineering at the TU Delft. Personally I always really liked Forze throughout my bachelor's. Because of the topic but also because you were able to work in a team. I noticed that the best projects were not when you had the smartest people grouped together but really a strong structure and organisation in the team. I always really liked to take on this role in teams and received good feedback. Therefore, I wanted to try out the role of a technical manager in a more professional and bigger environment. Forze seemed perfect for me. It is a big team working on a difficult but also extremely exciting project.
“You should not downplay yourself only because it is not normal for you to pursue this career.”
What do you like most about your position as Chief Embedded Systems specifically?
The diversity. Especially because I have a lot to do with other departments but also with all kinds of people. Keeping a good and structured overview is essential when building such a complex system. Furthermore, I really enjoy working with all the people in my department.
Does having a diverse team contribute to the success of the team?
Yes for sure, diversity in the study background and cultural backgrounds definitely helps. Everyone has already had different experiences which can help in making decisions.
How can we encourage more women to pursue technical roles in their careers?
Definitely by not listening too much to what society tells you to do. Just pursue the field you are interested in and also always remember that every human has insecurities and things they are proud of. So you should not downplay yourself only because it is not normal for you to pursue this career.
Cecilia Calegari, Fuel Cell Integration & Cooling Engineer
Tell a bit about yourself. What is your study background and why did you choose to spend a full-time year at Forze?
I’m Cecilia and I am 22 years old. I am Italian and this past summer I completed my degree in Aerospace Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Milan. When I achieved this goal, I knew that I wanted to experience something new and challenge myself, even by living in a foreign country. Furthermore, I felt I needed to gain some practical experience, as my university in Italy had a strong theoretical direction. I knew about the student teams in Delft as my sister has been studying here for 4 years, so I decided to apply for Forze.
What do you like most about contributing to building a racecar?
One of the things I enjoy most is competition. I believe that the prospect of a competition at the end of a journey gives the team an extra push to strive for excellence, and knowing that you will have the opportunity to prove yourself against others makes everything more exciting. Until this year, I had never been particularly interested in motorsports, but I am now learning more about it and definitely enjoying more and more all the advanced technology involved.
“I think that diversity is the spark that can make each team unique.”
Does having a diverse team contribute to the success of the team?
I think that diversity is the spark that can make each team unique. So yes, having a diverse team can definitely contribute to its success. Diverse teams bring different perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the table, which can lead to more creative and innovative solutions. In a field like engineering, where problem-solving and out-of-the-box thinking is crucial, having a diverse team is vital.
Marit Woudstra, Electrical Engineer
Tell a bit about yourself. What is your study background and why did you choose to spend a full-time year at Forze?
My name is Marit Woudstra and I’m halfway through my bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. When I started uni I knew I wanted to join a student team, after my first year I came across a recruitment post from Forze and I applied for a part-time position. After a year of being a part-timer, I wanted to join the team full-time for a year, so I could get a more in-depth understanding of the rest of the car.
What do you like most about your function as Electronics Engineer?
I get to have a better understanding of how electronics work in the real world. In the courses that I follow at university, we often assume the ideal situation for our circuits, while in real life this is not the case.
“Just go for it, do not be discouraged by the male-dominated nature of the industry. Find a supportive community of women in engineering or automotive fields. You can learn from their experiences, share your own, and gain valuable insights into the industry.”
What did you dream of doing when you were little?
For a long time I wanted to be an architect, I was even planning on studying architecture. But when I started researching universities I needed a backup plan for when I didn’t get into the study I wanted. But that backup plan turned into the study I actually wanted to do, and gave me an opportunity to do something I wanted to do since I was a little girl, work in motorsport.
Who is your female inspiration and why?
A few years ago I started to follow Amelia Lewis on Instagram, she is a performance engineer for McLaren racing. She shares her experiences with working in motorsport, makes informative videos about what she does in F1 and gives advice about how to get into motorsport yourself. She is a role model for other women, by promoting diversity and inclusion in the sport.
How do you think Forze Hydrogen Racing is contributing to the development of sustainable transportation, and what role do you see hydrogen cars playing in the future of transportation?
We show that hydrogen-powered race cars can easily compete with petrol-fuelled cars. And with this, we definitely show the potential hydrogen has in becoming part of sustainable mobility. Next to this, we need renewable energy sources. And while there are other great technologies such as solar, wind and hydropower, we need hydrogen as well. And it’s great to be able to contribute to this.
As a female engineer in a male-dominated field, what advice would you give to other women who are interested in pursuing careers in engineering or automotive?
Just go for it, do not be discouraged by the male-dominated nature of the industry. Find a supportive community of women in engineering or automotive fields. You can learn from their experiences, share your own, and gain valuable insights into the industry.
How can we encourage more women to pursue technical roles in their careers?
There needs to be a better representation of women in these fields. Give young girls a role model who looks like them so they know that there is a place for them in the industry. For example, create more opportunities where women stand in front of a classroom, whether this is in university, high school or elementary school.
