For many women in male-dominated industries, finding their voice and speaking up confidently doesn’t always come easily. It often takes time, the right environment, support, and opportunities.
Kym Saunders understands this firsthand, having worked in not one but two industries with a traditionally male workforce. Now, as the Head of Fleet Safety, Environment, Risk, and Quality at Metro Trains, she reflects on her early career self:
“At the start of my career, I wasn’t always confident speaking up. I was often the only woman in the room, and it seemed easier to just sit and observe. After a while, I realised that staying silent meant decisions were made without perspectives like mine. Contributing more helped me see the value of my voice. I have learned that small moments add up, and taking opportunities, no matter how big or small, helps build resilience and leadership.”
Since the start of her career, Kym has well and truly found her voice. She’s also found herself taking on projects and opportunities that she never thought would be a part of her story:
“I never saw myself as someone who would be a voice for Gender Equality. It was something that evolved over my career. When I moved into leadership, and as the only female at a leadership level in our Division, I recognised I was in a privileged position to represent my female colleagues and help elevate their voices. Progress does not happen by itself. If people before me had not pushed for change, I would not have had some of the opportunities I did. I want to ensure the next generation has an easier path. Seeing more women apply for roles and more men step up as allies reminds me it is worth the effort.”
Developing resilience in male-dominated industries
Kym’s career journey began as a FIFO worker in the mining industry, before she realised it was time for a change and a new environment. Reflecting on her early days in mining, Kym recalls:
“As a woman in my early twenties, it felt quite isolated. The industry was very different from what it is today. I was one of only five women at the entire mine and experienced firsthand what a lack of diversity in the workforce can look like.”
After recognising the need for change, Kym made a bold move into rail, where her experiences in mining proved invaluable:
“Working in mining gave me the experience and resilience I needed to adjust to the industry. It can be quite hard to recognise early on in a career what skills are transferable when applying for other roles. I had no prior knowledge of the rail industry when I first applied and saw it as a stepping stone to the next industry; 16 years later, I am still here. There are so many opportunities within rail that I never knew existed, and moving from Perth to Melbourne opened my eyes even more. It’s fun to tell my friends and family who work in the corporate world what some of my days in the maintenance depots entail.”
Shifting industries also provided Kym with opportunities for career growth in dynamic ways. Establishing her career in rail, she progressed through different roles with higher seniority before landing her current role at Metro Trains as Head of Fleet Safety, Environment, Risk, and Quality:
“I’m responsible for ensuring we have systems in place for the safety of our employees who maintain the trains on the network. Making a meaningful difference in this way inspires and motivates me, and the people I work with truly make me enjoy my role and love coming to work each day!”
The value of allyship
When Kym first gained a leadership position, being the only woman at the table was tough. She credits the support she’s had around her, especially from male allies, for helping her grow:
“I hesitated to speak up and share my opinions, but that’s since changed. My colleagues, particularly male allies, were an immense support in this. Many are champions for change, striving to create a more inclusive environment. They empower women by inviting us to share our perspectives, especially on gender equity, rather than waiting for us to find an opportunity to speak.”
When asked what allyship looked like for her, Kym shares that it was the small things that quickly added up and helped her feel seen and valued:
“During a leadership meeting, while no one deliberately excluded me, I had not yet found a way into the conversation. A male colleague simply said, ‘We have not heard from you yet. What do you think?’ It showed me how everyday gestures can foster an inclusive workplace. Actions like this may seem minor, but they’re powerful steps in creating a more inclusive, equitable workplace.”
Small moments often create the most profound impact, and Kym adds the different ways she’s seen this happen at Metro Trains:
“One of the ways my male colleagues are being proactive is by making roles more appealing to women candidates through the recruitment process. They craft inclusive job ads, offer flexible working options, and ensure interview panels feature diverse representatives.”
How does Metro Trains create a positive, inclusive, supportive environment for women?
Throughout Metro Trains and the wider industry, there is growing awareness about why speaking up is essential. Allies also play a valuable role in the company’s DEI working groups:
“There’s always more work to be done educating people about achieving this, including ways to turn themselves from a bystander to an upstander. It doesn’t always come naturally to people. But we have some really great examples of male allies driving this change.”
A fresh approach to DEI working groups
As Kym’s career has progressed, she’s become increasingly passionate about improving gender equality. She considers herself lucky to have had the opportunity to drive many of these improvements.
After leading several local DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives in Metro Train’s Rolling Stock division, Kym was invited to join the Metro Gender Equity Working Group and was elected president shortly after:
“We noticed participation had been gradually declining. So we thought, what better time for a rebrand? We chose the name ‘EmPower’ and have been collaborating closely with WORK180 to set the group up for success.”
So far, the group has strong support from males across the company, including an executive sponsor and vice president, who are leading the way as allies. It has also received more than 80 expressions of interest, including a strong male component.
“It’s been incredibly heartening. The overwhelming response meant we needed to take some time to realign and establish a structure to support everyone interested. We’re excited to relaunch the group on Metro International Women’s Day. While we’ve established goals for our first year that may seem modest, they’re designed to lay a strong foundation for future growth.”
Being recognised and looking ahead for DEI
In recognition of her remarkable contributions, Kym was honoured with the Network Assets and Assurance Role Model Award, a testament to her dedication and leadership in pushing boundaries.
Reflecting on her journey, she says:
“It’s definitely been a bit of a rollercoaster, but I am proud of what I have achieved so far, and I’m looking forward to continuing to push for improvements in the workplace. While there’s still a way to go, all the small changes we’re making add up.”
Kym’s success is not just about personal achievement but about driving meaningful change in the industry. As she looks ahead, her passion for DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) remains at the forefront.
Overall, she hopes her transformation journey can serve as a source of inspiration for others, encouraging them to find their own voice and path:
“Good things don’t come easy. And luck can take you only so far. If you want to have a successful career and personal life, work hard, surround yourself with great people, and choose a nurturing environment to grow.”
