🌟 NAWO’s 100 Women in Operations campaign celebrates women making an impact across operational roles – showcasing their achievements, career journeys and the vital part they play in shaping Australia’s industries.
Today we celebrate the exceptional career journey of Michelle Howard, Delivery Leader, Operational Contracts at Sydney Water, whose career reflects both the evolution of women in operations and the vital role they play in shaping essential community services.
Starting out as one of the few women in an operational role to now leading a team of around 20 Contract Officers and Contract Managers, Michelle has seen first-hand how the landscape at Sydney Water has transformed. She’s proud to now see a workforce filled with talented young women driving meaningful change across the industry.
Michelle began her career as a trainee surveyor, working on sewer and stormwater adjustment surveys before moving into stormwater and sewer operations – experience that laid the foundation for her current leadership role overseeing key programs that keep Sydney Water’s assets running smoothly. Her work also involves responding to emergencies and collaborating across teams to ensure continuous service to customers while protecting the environment and waterways.
What she enjoys most is that no two days are the same – each brings a new challenge and opportunity to make an impact. Having received guidance from many knowledgeable mentors throughout her career, Michelle is now passionate about sharing her own experience and supporting others to grow and succeed.
Nominated for:
- Her outstanding contribution across almost 40 years of service with Sydney Water and her widely recognised expertise in operations and maintenance.
- Leading a program of contracts with an annual spend of approximately $60 million, demonstrating exceptional knowledge, dedication, and persistence in achieving successful outcomes.
- Her genuine commitment to sharing knowledge and supporting the growth and development of others across the organisation.