As the 2026 Women in Industry Awards approach, two 2025 winners reflect on the impact of recognition.
For more than 10 years, the Women in Industry Awards have recognised the achievements of women across industries, from transport and logistics to mining, engineering and manufacturing.
In Australia, these sectors have long been male dominated. In 2024, BuildSkills Australia reported that women make up just 2.9 per cent of the construction workforce, while broader industry analysis has highlighted ongoing pay gaps and social exclusion in sectors such as mining.
Against this backdrop, the 2026 Women in Industry Awards will once again spotlight the women reshaping these industries. The event will be held at Doltone House Darling Island Wharf in Sydney on June 18, continuing its mission to elevate women’s contributions and create lasting change.
That mission is evident in the experiences of 2025 winners Eileen Breen, Co-Founder of NTEX, and Jennifer Clements, Director and Principal Consultant at Consultex.
Breen took home the Industry Advocacy Award for her work driving sustainability and circular economy outcomes in the Northern Territory. Her journey into the sector was not conventional but rooted in a lifelong connection to the land.
“I’ve always been a sustainably oriented person,” Breen says. “Though I admit I never thought I’d end up in this industry. My background is in horticulture and land management. My parents were farmers, and they instilled in me a strong connection to land.
“To me, caring for country has always been crucial.”
That philosophy underpins NTEX, a demolition, environmental remediation and resource recovery company that converts construction waste into reusable materials for civil projects.
Operating out of its ‘NTEX Code Red’ facility in Darwin, the business also delivers offshore decommissioning, disaster waste management and employment programs for Indigenous youth.
“I’ve been able to bring that side of work to NTEX with a small Aboriginal group called Grassroots Action Palmerston Aboriginal Corporation,” Breen says. “We provide employment pathways and skill sessions for Indigenous youth, and currently have a 23 per cent Indigenous workforce, which we are very proud of.”
For Clements, who was named Rising Star of the Year in 2025, the awards recognised a different but equally critical contribution to the industry. Through Consultex, she has focused on bridging the gap between compliance and construction delivery.
“The award was really a reflection of the growth and evolution of Consultex over the past few years,” Clements says. “We’ve built a business that doesn’t just tick the box on compliance, we’re actively involved in making a genuine difference for our clients.
“What stood out was our ability to bridge the gap between compliance and construction, ensuring systems aren’t just documented, but actually implemented on site in high-risk, real-world environments.”
Clements says the recognition was particularly meaningful given the often-unseen nature of compliance and safety work.
“Personally, it was incredibly rewarding and a big honour,” she says. “A lot of what we do in safety, compliance and construction management can be behind the scenes. It’s not always visible, but it’s critical.
“To be recognised at that level meant a lot, especially as someone who has built this business from the ground up.”
She added that the award reflected the broader efforts of her team.
“Consultex isn’t just me, it’s a group of highly capable people delivering work across multiple states and industries. The award recognised the way we operate as a team, stepping into projects, supporting clients under pressure, and delivering both compliance outcomes and construction support simultaneously.”
For both winners, the impact of the awards extended well beyond the night itself.
“Winning this award was very exciting,” Breen says. “Being a finalist was an honour in itself, and being in a room with some amazing women in all sorts of industries was incredible.”
She says the recognition has helped elevate conversations around waste and sustainability.
“With the platform my award gave me, I’ve been able to get people in the Northern Territory thinking more positively about the opportunities that can come from waste,” Breen says.
Similarly, Clements says the awards play a broader role in shaping the future of industry.
“The Women in Industry Awards are incredibly important,” she says. “They highlight the breadth of roles women are playing across sectors that have traditionally been male dominated.
“The impact goes beyond recognition. It creates visibility, builds confidence, and shows the next generation that there are real opportunities to lead and succeed in these industries.”
Both leaders also point to the importance of persistence in navigating these sectors.
“Any woman who is climbing the ranks in her industry, and particularly a heavy industry, will have experienced challenges,” Breen says. “You don’t get to move up in these spaces without being persistent, creative, and what some may call ‘difficult’.”
Clements echoed that sentiment, encouraging more women to enter and lead within these fields.
“There is absolutely a place for more women in industries like construction, safety and engineering,” she says. “There are still barriers, but they are shifting, and the more women who step into these roles, the more that change accelerates.
“You don’t have to fit a mould to succeed in this industry, you just need to back yourself, stay consistent, and be willing to put in the work.”
Looking ahead to the 2026 Women In Industry event, Clements says she is eager to return.
“For me, it’s about the people and the stories behind the work,” she says. “Hearing what others are achieving across the industry is always inspiring.
“It’s also a great opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals who are passionate about improving standards across industries.”
Breen offered similar advice for future winners, urging them to make the most of the opportunity.
“The awards aren’t just a time to celebrate, they’re also an opportunity to amplify and build,” she says. “These capable women can and should grow their influence and positive impact in their industries through their victories.”
As the 2026 Women in Industry Awards draw closer, stories like Breen’s and Clements’ underscore the importance of recognition, not just in celebrating success, but in driving lasting change across Australia’s infrastructure and construction sectors.
