The #NAWO 100 Women in Operations Wall of Fame recognises women nominated by their peers for their contribution to operational roles. By sharing real stories, it shows how gender equality strengthens organisations and helps leaders and individuals see what’s possible.
Today, we’re delighted to introduce Hilda Kambewa, Reliability Engineer at Sydney Water.
After completing her undergraduate studies in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Hilda began her career as a Graduate Engineer in the power generation industry. There, she worked on key power plant projects, including upgrades to Turbine Protection Units and Distributed Control Systems.
Hilda later moved into the mining industry as a Reliability Engineer, working across highly mechanised environments with responsibility for electrical, mechanical and civil assets. During this time, she expanded her expertise beyond electrical engineering to include mechanical assets, achieved Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional status, and completed postgraduate studies in Engineering Management.
Now at Sydney Water, Hilda continues to thrive in the asset strategy and reliability management space, applying her skills to improve performance and long-term outcomes.
A key message from Hilda:
“In my early career days, my mentor said something to me that has resonated ever since: ‘Challenges help you grow.’ I try to embrace every challenge that comes my way.”
Hilda has been nominated for:
- Being instrumental in leading maintenance optimisation reviews at three of Sydney’s largest Water Resource Recovery Facilities.
- Proactively improving asset performance to deliver stronger environmental outcomes while minimising maintenance costs.
- Boosting equipment availability by 14% and delivering multi-million-dollar reliability projects in her previous role.
Congratulations, Hilda, and welcome to the NAWO 100 Women in Operations Wall of Fame 👏