The scale of the work at VIDA Roads creates real opportunities for the organisation’s people. Delivering projects that shape how Victorians move across the state, gives our people opportunities to try new things, stretch their skills and grow their careers. The organisation’s impact reaches far beyond roads, it reaches people, development and the future of the infrastructure industry itself.
In 2025, awareness of this impact led to the creation of something deeply significant. The Women’s Development Fund was launched on International Women’s Day to give women at VIDA Roads access to dedicated resources, tailored guidance and the freedom to choose what they need to grow at a pace that suited them.
The concept is straightforward. The impact is anything but.
Across its first year, 11 women received up to AUD $5000 each to invest in their professional development. They were also granted access to coaching and opportunities to connect directly with the organisation’s executive leadership team . What makes the initiative stand out is the support offered as well as the trust placed in each participant to decide how that support would be best used.
For many women in infrastructure, that level of autonomy is rare.
Traditional development programs often rely on fixed criteria that do not always recognise the wide range of career stages, goals and challenges women face. The Women’s Development Fund was created to offer something different: room to choose, room to grow and room to define your own next step.
A response to real barriers
The infrastructure sector is rich with opportunity, and like many industries, women continue to encounter barriers that can slow or stall career progression. Access to targeted development, sponsorship and leadership visibility can differ across the sector and pathways into senior and technical roles can be unclear.
The Fund was implemented change that. By removing rigid expectations and providing practical resources, VIDA Roads created a structure that adapted to the individual rather than asking individuals to adapt to the structure. Each participant could seek out the development activity most relevant to her goals, supported by coaching and genuine engagement from senior leaders.
The impact in women’s own words
The results from the first year have been immediate and personal. For Contract Manager Erin McCarthy and Commercial Coordinator Emma Checker, the value came from being trusted to choose what mattered most.
As Erin explained:
“What made it meaningful was the personalised approach. There were no rigid rules about what we had to learn, which meant I could focus on what I truly needed. Sharing the experience with Emma made it even more special. The Women in Leadership course gave us tools, confidence and perspective that we will carry forward.”
Project Safety Coordinator Annalise Bellicanta used the funding to complete a Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.
“The program helped me bridge the gap between theory and practice and strengthened my confidence to handle real-world challenges. As a young woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, this experience showed me that when women are supported and encouraged, they can shape safer and stronger workplaces.”
For Mira Herath, Project Manager for Social Value, Inclusion and Capability, the Fund opened doors that are often difficult to access.
“The Women’s Leadership Symposium I attended was inspiring and gave my confidence a real lift. Working with a career coach has sharpened my skills, but the most powerful part has been the sponsorship from our Executive Leadership Team and CEO. Their support affirmed the positive culture for women at VIDA Roads and helped me step into new opportunities with clarity and purpose.”
Roxy Shirvani, Director of Commercial, used the fund to deepen her leadership capability.
“The experience has underscored that coaching is valuable at every level of an organisation. At a senior level, having an external perspective challenges assumptions, enhances self-awareness, and drives more intentional leadership.”
“Participating in the fund has been transformative, deepening my self-awareness, strengthening my leadership capability, and opening new opportunities to influence positive change within the organisation.”
These stories demonstrate the breadth of the program’s impact. Though each woman used the funding differently, the outcomes share a common theme of confidence, capability and connection strengthened through choice.
What makes this initiative different
Many organisations provide leadership development programs, but few hand the reins fully to the people they are trying to support. The Women’s Development Fund stands out because it avoids a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, it acknowledges that women’s career journeys are diverse, and so the support must be as well.
The combination of financial backing, personalised development, structured coaching and direct engagement with senior leaders created a holistic experience. It also sends a clear message that women’s growth a shared organisational priority.
A step towards a more inclusive industry
The Women’s Development Fund may be in its early stages, but its influence is already clear. It has created pathways, amplified voices and shown what is possible when women are equipped not only with resources but with trust, support and visibility.
For the women who took part, the Fund marked a moment of investment in their future. For VIDA Roads, it marked a commitment to shaping a more inclusive industry. And for those watching from across the sector, it offers a reminder that when you remove barriers and give people room to grow, they go further than expected.
