Women in MEP: In Conversation with Noor Sakr, Fawaz Group

Meet Noor, a former Masdar WiSER pioneer who leverages strategic assertiveness to lead the way

What are some of your personal achievements in the industry that you are particularly proud of?

I find immense pride in my contributions to establish international HVAC and MEP brands throughout the UAE market. Strategic business development activities enabled me to support various global manufacturers as they obtained vendor permits and built strong consultant connections to boost brand exposure in this intense business environment. The ability to handle industry challenges in my male-dominated career field represents another professional accomplishment that I feel proud about. The combination of strong relationship management with market insights and strategic communication has allowed me to effectively position brands which led to new business development opportunities.

A career-defining moment unfolded when I was selected as a Masdar WiSER (Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy) pioneer. The experience deepened my dedication to leading industrial changes that support diversity and sustainability as it facilitated essential interactions with international leaders discussing energy system and engineering sector advancements.

Has the focus/importance of diversity/inclusion improved within the industry over the past year?

Progress has been made toward recognising diversity’s value yet full inclusion requires extended work. The majority of organisations now adopt diversity policies, yet women face limited opportunities to lead within MEP departments.

The true measurement of diversity efforts depends on concrete steps that create mentoring programs and leadership positions and implement policies for professional growth of women engineers and business professionals.

What are the unspoken challenges women face in the industry that aren’t often discussed? How do you stay resilient when faced with subtle (or not-so-subtle) biases, if any?

Women must continually demonstrate their expertise level when participating in technical meetings or decision rooms or leadership positions. Female professionals frequently need to demonstrate their expertise in response to unconscious stereotypes which cause project selection biases against them and ensure their professional accomplishments are overlooked.

To maintain my resilience I work on enhancing my credibility through expert knowledge and professional practices as well as developing strong connections. My dedication to execute results demonstrates that capability surpasses bias because successful achievement earns genuine professional respect. My source of power arises from mentorship connections and business networks that bring empowerment and assistance.

What advice would you give your younger self about entering and thriving in this industry?

You should know that both strategic planning and confidence bring equal value to your understanding of things. People who actively learn and adapt while maintaining strong assertiveness will find success in the MEP industry despite its challenges. Always ask for the things you deserve whenever you want a promotion or any leadership position or wish to occupy a place at the table.

How can companies design workplace policies to ensure not just inclusion but true belonging for women?

Pure belonging extends beyond female employee recruitment because it means creating spaces where women can have their voices heard along with achieving value and leading possibilities. Companies should:

• Establish programs which pair junior or senior staff with more experienced professionals for career development assistance.
• Organisations must provide equal chances for leadership positions in addition to all types of work assignments.
• The organisation should maintain open pay tables and clear rules for professional development growth.
• The organisation should institute a workplace system which respects multicultural thinking in its choice-making activities.

A company must develop workplaces that offer inclusive resources which allow women proper growth opportunities beyond mere diversity initiatives.

If you were mentoring a new generation of women in these fields, what unconventional advice would you give them?

“Master the art of strategic assertiveness.”

Women in MEP tend to hold back from taking space while true success requires assertive posture backed by confident leadership. My advice? Success should not rely on recognition because you need to place yourself in decision-making environments today. Stand up for yourself by negotiating against all challenges and avoid being hesitant to pursue opportunities that push your boundaries. Creating a powerful personal brand requires women to network in their field and demonstrate leadership and make their accomplishments noticeable to others. Your public standing serves as your most valuable asset because you must build it through honest practices and deep knowledge and meaningful direction.