"Believe in yourself and your opinions, your voice is as important as anyone's": success stories from Applus+ female employees for International Women's Day

Maria Forsberg joined Applus+ Bilsyn in January 2022 as Project and Communications Coordinator in Denmark, a position she still holds today. She and her colleagues support each other in expressing themselves in the workplace, something that makes a big difference due to the low female representation in the sector. “In a male-dominated industry like automotive, it can be a challenge for younger women to propose changes and improvements. However, if you present your ideas in a well-structured and well-founded way, there will always be space for them. Believe in yourself and your opinions, your voice is as important as anyone else's.”

Jayashri Patkar joined Applus+ in August 2022 as a Graduate Engineer. She now works in India as a Project Engineer and actively participates in initiatives that promote work-life balance, such as Swanadi, a forum dedicated to women sharing their thoughts and experiences openly. “I hope to see future generations of women rising to leadership positions, managing teams effectively and promoting significant changes in the workplace. I believe that, with continuous progress, we can build a space where everyone is valued for their skills and contributions, regardless of gender.”

Samar Salman Salem Algashmari began her journey at Applus+ six months ago in Taif, Saudi Arabia. She currently works as a Data Entry Specialist and acts as a communication intermediary between engineers, managers and other employees. “Success in the workplace requires a great deal of courage. Many women still feel that they are not ready to speak up and express themselves in their professional careers,” says Samar, who highlights the remote work opportunities offered by Applus+ as an example of a commitment to diversity, enabling the inclusion of talent that might otherwise have been excluded. She is convinced that these inclusion efforts contribute to the creation of more stable and collaborative teams.

In 2008, Carolina Joselyn Troncoso Fernández joined Applus+ as an Integrated Systems Auditor and later took on the role of Technical Director. In 2018, she had the opportunity to serve as General Manager, a position she currently holds in Chile. When Carolina started her career in 2008, the team consisted of only eight people. Today, it has grown to 24, with 70% of the Applus+ Certification team now made up of women. “Although Chile has made progress in terms of gender equality, there are still significant challenges in the labour market. Issues such as the glass ceiling, gender pay gap, discrimination and gender-based violence must be addressed.”

Josefin Landgren began working as an Inspection Technician at Besikta, a Swedish vehicle inspection group that is part of Applus+, in March 2021. Her career in Sweden took her from Kristianstad-Hammar to Bromölla, and she now works in Sölvesborg. Over the years, she has earned certifications that allow her to inspect all types of vehicles, including motorcycles, cars, trucks and buses. “I believe that Besikta has a very solid foundation for being considered an inclusive and equitable workplace. There are women at all levels of the company and the recruitment process is open to people of any gender, age or background,” says Josefin.

Mona Alquzi joined Applus+ in Saudi Arabia in September 2024 as Human Resources Business Partner. In her role, she is responsible for aligning all employees with the company's objectives. As a mother and working woman, she says she does not face challenges in balancing work and domestic responsibilities and manages both smoothly without negative impacts. Mona feels deeply connected to the women in her team and is committed to supporting and collaborating with the female workforce in the workplace. “Believe in your abilities, face the challenges and never stop learning. Confidence, strong relationships and perseverance are key to success,” are her recommendations for supporting other employees.

Fernanda Saad joined Applus+ in October 2021 as a Computational Fluid Dynamics Engineer. Last year, she took on a new challenge as Head of Innovation for Business Process Services in Brazil. Fernanda played a key role in developing a strategic plan aligned with the company’s policies to improve gender diversity across all business areas. “I want to see a world where diversity is not only accepted but celebrated. While we are making progress, we still face unconscious challenges, such as the gender pay gap and the constant expectation that women must balance their career with family life,” considers.

In 2012, Jacquelyn Haggerty joined Keystone Compliance, an Applus+ brand, as an Administrative Assistant. She now holds the position of Program Manager in the Electromagnetic Compatibility Department in the United States. Her responsibilities include project coordination, workflow management and strengthening client relationships. She expresses that factors such as age, culture or motherhood can have a significant impact on a person’s professional experience, and in many cases, these factors not only affect opportunities in the workplace but also influence how expectations are managed within an individual’s career and how their personal situation is perceived externally. “What truly matters is that every person is evaluated based on their skills and performance,” highlights Jacquelyn.