Utilities

Celebrating Women at Rullion: Stories of Resilience, Growth, and Support

Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Industry "I was called a trailblazer. That moment stuck with me and fuelled my determination to break barriers." – Aoife Cawley, Head of Quality & Audit Starting out in a male-dominated field, Aoife embraced every opportunity to grow, network, and learn. Early in her career, she often found herself as the only woman in the room. Instead of seeing it as a setback, she saw it as an opportunity to pave the way for others. Her advice? “Seek out every opportunity and go for it - you never know where it might take you.” Rebuilding Confidence and Finding Belonging "Within three months, my confidence was fully back. I truly love my job and working remotely." – Jane Hardman, Candidate Services Administrator Returning to work after an 18-month break, Jane felt uncertain about stepping into a new industry, working remotely, and being surrounded by younger colleagues. But the right team can make all the difference. With support from her colleagues, she found her confidence again and realised that she was exactly where she was meant to be. “If I’d been in another company, things could have been very different. I’ll always be grateful.” The Power of Support in Overcoming Challenges "My manager said, ‘We’ve got your back.’ Those words changed everything." – Karon Cascoe Port, Senior Business Services Administrator Struggling with self-doubt, Karon found comfort in the support of her manager and colleagues. That encouragement gave her the confidence to prioritise her wellbeing and make changes that improved her health and mindset. “It’s a reminder that looking after ourselves - both mentally and physically - is just as important as the work we do.” Balancing Career and Motherhood "Balance isn’t about perfection - it’s about knowing that different times call for different priorities." – Sammie Jones, Service Delivery Manager Returning from maternity leave, Sammie grappled with the challenge of balancing her career with family life. Reducing her working days helped, but she soon realised that true balance required flexibility, support, and self-compassion. “We can be successful in both our careers and personal lives if we’re kind to ourselves and recognise that we are enough, just as we are.” Why These Stories Matter These experiences highlight the importance of a workplace culture that values support, resilience, and making space for each other to succeed. Whether it’s breaking into a new industry, finding confidence after a career break, or balancing work and family, every woman’s journey is unique - but the need for encouragement and empowerment is universal. The Rullion Musketeers are the voices behind these stories - the individuals who help create an inclusive and supportive environment within our business. At Rullion, we believe that everyone is unique. Our vision is to “unlock the potential in all of us”, and at the heart of this is inclusion. We’re proud to create an environment where people feel supported, inspired, and empowered to thrive. Let’s continue to recognise and celebrate the women around us - not just during Employee Engagement Week, but every day.Want to be part of a team that champions inclusion and personal growth? Join us at Rullion.

Shaping the Future of Nuclear: A Conversation with Jenifer Avellaneda

From Passion to Profession Jenifer’s enthusiasm for nuclear energy is contagious. She describes her role at Westinghouse as a commitment to something bigger than just a job.“Everybody shares the same passion,” she says. “It’s not just another day of work. People are excited to take on challenges, mentor others, and collaborate across departments.” That shared enthusiasm fosters an environment of continuous learning, with employees encouraged to expand their knowledge and skills across diverse areas. Jenifer exemplifies this spirit as she balances her full-time role while pursuing a Master’s degree. Though demanding, the combination of challenge and support makes her journey rewarding. Breaking the Myths Around Nuclear One of Jenifer’s missions is to debunk common misconceptions surrounding nuclear energy. Through her social media platform on X as Nuclear Hazelnut, she engages with the public, offering clarity on common concerns and correcting misinformation. “If I had a magic wand, I would erase the negative and false narratives about nuclear,” she says. “We need to engage in open conversations. Most questions are easy for industry professionals to answer; it’s about making the information accessible.” Jenifer advocates for transparency, urging nuclear professionals to engage openly and invite the public into the discussion, “We need to stop shutting the windows and start opening the doors.” The Future of Nuclear: Innovation and Expansion Jenifer envisions nuclear energy as a cornerstone of the clean energy transition. From small modular reactors to fusion research and even space exploration, the possibilities seem endless. “The industry is evolving quickly,” she shares. “I can’t wait to see a micro-reactor in my neighbourhood or in commercial buildings.” However, for nuclear to reach its full potential, the industry must continue attracting new talent from diverse fields. Jenifer is particularly passionate about helping people from all sectors - including marketing, communications, and finance - recognise that nuclear isn’t just for engineers. “There are so many career paths in nuclear,” Jenifer says. “It’s not just about science and engineering - it’s an industry that needs experts in all fields. People often don’t realise that.” Join the Nuclear Renaissance With a global push for clean energy, nuclear innovation is at the forefront, and the need for collaboration and talent has never been greater. Whether you’re an engineer, communications expert, policymaker, or project manager, the nuclear industry needs your skills. Any questions about nuclear? We have a team who are just as passionate - contact us! -- Watch the full interview here.