Together We Engineer: Voices of Women Shaping the Future at Middough

At Middough, we believe engineering is more than technical skill—it’s a collective force for innovation, sustainability, and progress. In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), we’re spotlighting the talented women at Middough who are building that future with us.

Women in Engineering Day is sponsored by the Women’s Engineering Society. This year’s theme, “Together We Engineer,” reflects the strength we gain when diverse voices come together to solve the world’s most complex problems. In an industry still largely dominated by men, the stories and successes of women engineers are not only inspiring—they’re essential to shaping a better, more inclusive future.

We invited several of our women engineers to share their journeys—their proudest achievements, their biggest challenges, and their hopes for the next generation of women in engineering

Meet the Women Engineering a Better Future

What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?

"My father worked in engineering, so when I decided to pursue a career, I applied to the company where he was employed—without mentioning I was his daughter—and worked my way up from receptionist to Procurement Manager."

— Tracie Culler, Procurement Manager (Cleveland)

“I was interested in the STEM classes in high school and naturally migrated towards engineering in college. This has shaped me into a problem solving professional.”

— Erika Reed, MSCE, Portfolio Manager (Cleveland)

“From pipefitter apprentice to journeyman pipefitter, moving to piping and mechanical design seemed like the natural progression for someone that has always been interested in the STEM fields.”

— Paula Bowling, Senior Specialist/Estimator (Ashland)

“I got my start in the refinery industry as a Lead Safety Administrator, and the responsibilities and experience I gained in that role have shaped the career path that led me to where I am today.”

— Erin Zapata, Project Controls Coordinator (Toledo)

“I decided to pursue a career in engineering after completing my high school chemistry class. I loved the material and experiments and wanted to explore a field where I could apply that knowledge to real world scenarios.”

— Haley Mason, Senior Engineer (Chicago/Madison)

“From a young age, I was inspired to pursue a career in engineering. While in middle school, I had a mentor who attended a STEM-focused high school, and her experiences sparked my interest. Motivated by her journey, I decided to attend a high school that not only emphasized STEM education but was also partnered with Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). This partnership allowed me the opportunity to join Tri-C's Youth Technology Academy Robotics Team, where I contributed to the design, construction, and programming of a robot. After three years of hands-on experience and collaboration on the team, I recognized my passion for engineering and my desire to pursue a career in the field.”

— Avionne Weaver, Engineer (Cleveland)

“I was inspired by my high school chemistry teacher to pursue a career in engineering—specifically chemical engineering. She fueled my interest in chemistry and sparked a belief in my potential, laying the foundation for my journey into the field.”

— Lillian Bennett, MBA, Process Engineer (Chicago/Madison)

Can you tell us about a project or accomplishment you’re especially proud of?

“I worked on a project in Moundsville, WV, where I was one of the first people on site. I was involved in obtaining every piece of equipment on site, including every trailer, uniforms, cranes, etc. I prepared the laydown yard and managed all purchasing until the staff was fully established. It was incredibly rewarding to see everything on site and running smoothly, knowing I was the one who made it all happen.”

— Tracie Culler, Procurement Manager (Cleveland)

“I am particularly proud of the project execution techniques I have gained from managing a wide range of projects. I have managed many engineering teams to deliver quality packages on time.”

— Erika Reed, MSCE, Portfolio Manager (Cleveland)

“In general - just being in the industry of engineering / refining as a whole has been rewarding.”

— Erin Zapata, Project Controls Coordinator (Toledo)

“I’m proud to have achieved over $1 million in Accelerated Continuous Improvement (ACI) savings at my previous plant. Our team developed impactful cost-reduction projects that significantly enhanced the plant’s overall performance.”

— Haley Mason, Senior Engineer (Chicago/Madison)

“In a previous position, I worked on the optimization of a newly developed specialty pizza oven. I had the opportunity to present the pizza oven to a group of "influencers" where I walked through the pizza making process (while making artisan pizzas) and the science behind it. I become very knowledgeable about the oven, its capabilities, the heat transfer process between the cooking surface and the pizza, and the chemistry behind making the perfect pizza dough. It was a very fun and unique opportunity that became a successful event for the company to promote this new product.”

— Lillian Bennett, MBA, Process Engineer (Chicago/Madison)

What obstacles have you faced as a woman in engineering, and how did you navigate them?

“I was often brushed off as a secretary simply because I was a woman, but once my role was made clear, there was usually no additional confusion.”

— Tracie Culler, Procurement Manager (Cleveland)

“Working in a male dominated field is not always easy. You need to remind yourself that you are where you belong and stay motivated.”

— Erika Reed, MSCE, Portfolio Manager (Cleveland)

“The best way to overcome any obstacles as a female in the engineering field is to win your naysayers over with your integrity, knowledge, skill and hard work. Also, don't be afraid to stand up for yourself.”

— Paula Bowling, Senior Specialist/Estimator (Ashland)

“In my previous role as a Safety Administrator, I conducted safety audits. Working in a predominantly male industry, you're not taken seriously until you prove you do know your job and are able to confidently demonstrate your expertise."

— Erin Zapata, Project Controls Coordinator (Toledo)

“I have faced obstacles such as being talked over in meetings, having my ideas not listened to as a young engineer, and experienced comments about my physical appearance at work. If someone does something that is inappropriate or upsets me, I make sure to have a 1:1 conversation with them to let them know how it made me feel. This will help them learn where I am coming from and prevent an issue in the future.”

— Haley Mason, Senior Engineer (Chicago/Madison)

“As a female engineer, one experience I often encounter is being mistaken for an intern rather than a qualified engineer when visiting client sites. Many times, clients assume I am there in a support role, despite my position and expertise. This assumption highlights the challenges women face in the engineering field and reinforces the importance of breaking down stereotypes and promoting greater diversity and inclusion.”

— Avionne Weaver, Engineer (Cleveland)

“I have experienced several instances where people did not believe in me or told me I could not become an engineer and live the life I desire outside of engineering. Luckly, I have an amazing support system of family and friends who do believe in me. They constantly remind me that I am capable, encourage me to work hard, and help me live the life I want outside of engineering.”

— Lillian Bennett, MBA, Process Engineer (Chicago/Madison)

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to be engineers?

“Go for it! It's a highly rewarding field with lots of opportunities..”

— Tracie Culler, Procurement Manager (Cleveland)

“Take the risk, embrace the challenges, and celebrate the successes! You got this!”

— Erika Reed, MSCE, Portfolio Manager (Cleveland)

“Don't hesitate. Careers in the engineering field offer financial security, an avenue to channel your creativity, and you will never have to worry about being bored because no two projects are ever exactly alike. If I had to offer one caveat, it is that you must be able to perform under the pressure of a looming deadline. Some of us thrive and do our best work under pressure and some others, not so much.”

— Paula Bowling, Senior Specialist/Estimator (Ashland)

“Do you! Don't Settle. You Can!”

— Erin Zapata, Project Controls Coordinator (Toledo)

“Just do it. Don't let anyone say you can't do it because you absolutely can.”

— Haley Mason, Senior Engineer (Chicago/Madison)

“To young women who aspire to pursue a career in engineering, my advice is simple: don’t let go of your dreams. There will be difficult moments—times when you might question if it's worth it or consider changing paths. But if you stick with it and push through those challenges, the reward is incredible. You'll not only achieve your dream career, but you’ll also find yourself in a field that excites you every day—where work doesn't feel like work at all.”

— Avionne Weaver, Engineer (Cleveland)

“I would advise any young woman who is considering a career in engineering to try it! I believe that anyone can become an engineer as long as you have a strong desire to make it happen, work really hard, and find a support system who can cheer you on!”

— Lillian Bennett, MBA, Process Engineer (Chicago/Madison)

What impact can women have in engineering?

“Women can play a crucial role in shaping a more innovative and equitable world.”

— Tracie Culler, Procurement Manager (Cleveland)

“Women view things differently than men. We often view things on a greater scale and our intuitions are strong.”

— Erika Reed, MSCE, Portfolio Manager (Cleveland)

“Just being a woman in general—no matter the career path—means knowing you can do anything anyone else can. Showing up, standing your ground, and believing in yourself is all it takes to make a meaningful impact”

— Erin Zapata, Project Controls Coordinator (Toledo)

“The greatest impact that women in engineering can have is showing the world that we are the same as our male counterparts. There is no need to look at gender in this field because we are capable of everything. We will continue to show future generations that they can be a woman in engineering with no fear of being treated differently. We will pave the way for them.”

— Haley Mason, Senior Engineer (Chicago/Madison)

“The greatest impact women can have in the field of engineering is bringing diverse perspectives.”

— Avionne Weaver, Engineer (Cleveland)

“I think women bring a unique perspective to the engineering field. Women are strong, resourceful, adaptable, and creative. Their presence drives diversity, inclusion, and problem solving that is essential to the engineering field.”

— Lillian Bennett, MBA, Process Engineer (Chicago/Madison)

What changes would you like to see in the field?

“Encourage more women to pursue engineering careers, perhaps improve family caregiving policies, and address any existing wage disparities if they exist.”

— Tracie Culler, Procurement Manager (Cleveland)

“Increase the number of women in executive roles, ensure transparent and equal pay, and recognize that job titles and roles should be based on merit—not just years in the field.”

— Erika Reed, MSCE, Portfolio Manager (Cleveland)

“I believe that there have been many improvements over the years to advance women in the field of engineering but there is still much work to be done. We can keep advancing by recognizing that there are strong and capable women that are up to the challenges that are posed by a career in engineering. Listen to their input and offer them a seat at the table. We rise by lifting others.”

— Paula Bowling, Senior Specialist/Estimator (Ashland)

“I’d like to see more education and open dialogue about women in engineering, especially with our male colleagues. Often, it’s hard for them to fully understand our experiences, so it’s valuable to show them how they can be allies and better support not only us, but also the other women in their lives.”

— Haley Mason, Senior Engineer (Chicago/Madison)

“I would like to see more mentorship opportunities between women within the same company and outside the company. More STEM networking events would also be beneficial for intellectual collaboration, self-growth, and fun!”

— Lillian Bennett, MBA, Process Engineer (Chicago/Madison)