Evan Barrett stands at the intersection of construction and compassion. As he walks onto project sites across Victoria, he brings more than technical expertise—he brings a deep commitment to people, inclusion, and progress.
A mindset that sparked mentorship
Evan’s path to inclusive leadership began not with a title, but with a mindset.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is the opportunity to connect with impacted stakeholders, understand their needs and aspirations, and actively influence the outcomes they experience.”
That same spirit led him to mentorship. Since 2019, Evan has volunteered as a mentor in the Women in Transport program and the Engineering Pathways Industry Cadetship (EPIC), which supports engineers from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds.
“I aim to help participants recognise their strengths, overcome barriers, and navigate their professional journeys with confidence and purpose,” he says.
Bringing equity to every blueprint
At the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP), inclusion is embedded in how the team works, leads, and delivers outcomes. As part of one of the largest rail infrastructure projects in Victoria’s history, LXRP is not only transforming transport across the state. It is also setting new standards for collaboration, culture, and community impact.
Evan Barrett plays a key role in this transformation as a Design Interface Manager. He brings people together across complex projects while actively championing inclusive practices that benefit both the workforce and the wider community.
“I take pride in shaping outcomes that create real stakeholder value and contribute to broader economic growth,” he shares.
Evan mentors through programs that support women and refugee engineers and contributes to initiatives that create pathways for underrepresented groups. Whether he is influencing design decisions or guiding future leaders, equity is always part of the plan.
Explore how Level Crossing Removal Project supports wellbeing and inclusion
Moments of impact and connection
Through reverse mentoring, data reviews, and cultural celebration, Evan leads with both head and heart.
“Attending unconscious bias training was a turning point,” he reflects. “It revealed blind spots I hadn’t considered.”
From mentoring refugee engineers to supporting cultural observance days, Evan’s allyship is active, reflective, and personal.
He shares a story of supporting a mentee from EPIC who entered a traineeship as part of the program. Evan helped them navigate cultural differences and guided the growth of their internal network, which supported their transition into a different role after the program. “Seeing their confidence grow and their proactive approach to opportunities develop was unforgettable. It reminded me that genuine allyship and support can change lives.”
Allyship that’s more than a checkbox
Many organisations talk about allyship. But Evan and LXRP show what it looks like when allyship becomes leadership.
In contrast to one-off workshops or checkbox diversity programs, Evan’s approach is embedded in day-to-day actions—mentoring, listening, learning, and leading with empathy.
“When organisations embrace structured diversity,” he says, “they unlock richer perspectives, stronger collaboration, and better outcomes overall.”
Evan knows the work of allyship is never done.
“Like a lot of elements of leadership, allyship isn’t a checkbox—it’s a continuous commitment to listen, learn, and lead with empathy.”
