Once again this year, Mitsubishi Electric Ireland, in partnership with CIBSE Ireland and WIBSE, hosted the annual ‘Women in HVAC&R’ event at its Dublin 22 offices.

Titled “Breaking Barriers: Engineering the Next Generation of Leaders,” the gathering took place in a sector where the tide is definitely turning. What began as a pioneering initiative back in 2022 has now evolved into a cornerstone event for the Irish building services engineering sector. While the industry has traditionally been male-dominated, this year’s assembly proved that talent knows no gender, bringing together a diverse cross-section of female consulting engineers, designers, operations experts, and sales specialists.

The event was hosted by Mitsubishi Electric Ireland Marketing Manager Rachel O’Brien with support from Marketing Assistant Megan Sage.

A major highlight was the presentation of the first ‘Breaking Barriers Role Model Award for Outstanding Leadership in Advancing Women in the Industry’. This prestigious honour was deservedly presented to Susan Cormican, Director, Ethos Engineering, who was celebrated as a trailblazer and a vital role model for aspiring engineers.

Before proceedings got underway, Mitsubishi Electric Europe Ireland Branch President Ciaran Moody was on hand to welcome the high-calibre audience eager to engage with the day’s practical and inspirational programme.

The speaker line-up featured industry leaders and specialists, including Mitsubishi Electric Ireland Business Development Managers April McHale and Siobhan Gilroy, as well as  Margaret Rafter, President, Irish Refrigeration Institute and Consultant Sales Engineer, Mitsubishi Electric Ireland, whose long‑standing involvement has helped shape the event and drive momentum since its earliest days .

They were joined by Lynne Cantwell of the IRFU, leadership strategist Margaret Kennedy, career coach Heather Thompson, and Niamh O’Halloran, Mechanical Engineer, Black & White Engineering and CIBSE/WIBSE committee member. They all shared insights into their personal professional journeys, offering a mix of technical wisdom and leadership strategy.

Commenting on the day, Rachel O’Brien said, “Events like this highlight just how important it is to create space for women’s voices, champion diversity, and continue building a more inclusive future in HVACR. This year’s event was far more than a simple networking opportunity; it was a reaffirmation of a mission started four years ago. By fostering a space where women can connect and learn, we are engineering diversity together.

“The goal remains to encourage and grow the number of women to entering, remaining, and thriving within the HVAC&R industry, ensuring the sector benefits from a full spectrum of diverse talent and perspectives,” Rachel concluded.