Alison McGregor: Forging a successful career in male-dominated industries
Alison McGregor, Refinery Asset Manager at Viva Energy’s Geelong Refinery, has built a dynamic 20-year career in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Starting as a graduate chemical engineer with Shell, Alison has navigated a diverse range of roles across project engineering, supply chain logistics, optimisation, and international operations, including eight years at the Pernis Refinery in the Netherlands.
Alison then returned to Australia to take on leadership roles in supply chain and asset management.
Mentors and support systems are key to career growth
Throughout her journey, Alison credits her growth to both structured and informal support systems. From graduate programs and leadership forums to the guidance of exceptional mentors and coaches, she’s found that a culture of support and investment in people has been a key to her development. “One of the key supports has been around coaches and mentors and guides, the culture of Viva Energy really encourages that,” she says.
Creating pathways for women through inclusion, respect and flexibility
Viva Energy’s deliberate focus on developing women into leadership positions has also been pivotal. With policies that promote flexibility and inclusive recruitment, the organisation is working to create balanced opportunities and foster long-term careers. Alison notes that respect training and behaviour standards, and a culture of development, led by a supportive senior management team, are essential to helping women thrive in technical and operational roles.
Thriving in a dynamic and evolving sector
Reflecting on her career, Alison highlights the excitement and challenge of working in a rapidly evolving energy sector. “The career I’ve had with Viva Energy in both supply chain and refining has been really exciting… it is a fascinating environment to work in, with great people who are very intelligent and committed,” she says.
As Viva Energy continues its diversity journey, Alison remains a powerful example of how purposeful support and opportunity can create pathways for women to lead and shape the future of manufacturing.
Five ways to help support women to succeed in male-dominated industries
Invest in structured development, mentoring and support networks. Not only do these initiatives support the women involved in their careers, it enhances retention, improves culture and facilitates recruitment avenues.
Showcase women in leadership roles. This provides the organisation a broader view of what leadership looks like, allowing for range of employees to envision their own pathways through the organisation.
Help create a more inclusive and respectful workplace through training in respectful behaviour. This sets both baseline standards, to support and protect all employees, while demonstrating how this benefits all involved through enhanced mutual understanding and communication.
Promote flexible work policies that support work/ life balance. Support and retention of women mid-career through such policies is critical to driving for more representative, diverse leadership.
Leaders must model inclusive behaviour and respect every day. The business commitment to greater workplace diversity, great culture, and respect and opportunity for all starts with demonstrable leadership practised consistently and authentically that builds trust over the long-term.
Sinead Redmund: Leading with Purpose in Infrastructure Delivery
Sinead Redmund, Head of Infrastructure Delivery at Geelong Port, has built a distinguished career across engineering, construction, and maritime – industries where women remain underrepresented. Her early passion for engineering was sparked on construction sites alongside her father, which laid the foundation for a nearly 20-year journey in complex infrastructure delivery.
From practical beginnings in her family’s piling business to formal qualifications in civil engineering and project management, Sinead has consistently combined hands-on expertise with strategic leadership. Today, she oversees critical infrastructure programs at Geelong Port.
Navigating traditionally male-dominated sectors presented clear challenges for Sinead. Early in her career, she often found herself as the only woman at the table, facing moments of exclusion. “There were moments people wouldn’t even look at you purely because of your gender,” she recalls. Despite this, a network of strong mentors—many of them male—was instrumental to her success. “They never treated me as different, just capable. On tough days, they pushed me forward when I didn’t realise I needed it.”
Their belief in her abilities helped build her confidence and resilience, laying the groundwork for her continued leadership in the field. Key to her development has been inclusive, authentic leadership and workplace flexibility. “You shouldn’t have to choose between career and family—flexibility benefits everyone,” she says.
Her message to emerging professionals, particularly women, is clear: “Come with an open mind—there’s innovation and opportunity everywhere. Don’t let outdated perceptions hold you back.”
Sinead’s career is a testament to the power of early exposure, resilient mentorship, and progressive workplace practices in driving leadership success.