Women in Engineering 2025: Kasia Kolanko

Hi Kasia, we understand you work for one of the fastest growing sectors in Actemium – EV charging. Can you please tell us a bit about your role?

Yes, of course. I am a Maintenance Sector Contracts Engineer, and my role involves overseeing the full maintenance process – from scheduled preventative work to unexpected repairs. I manage contracts and costs while working closely with field engineers, suppliers, and contractors to ensure everything runs smoothly.

For me, playing a part in keeping EV charging infrastructure reliable—especially as it supports the move toward cleaner travel—is genuinely really rewarding! I enjoy putting my strengths in financial management, organisation, and problem-solving to good use, and I actually like the challenge of building solid plans that help us get the job done efficiently.

You have probably heard that the theme of Women in Engineering this year is “Together We Engineer”. Do you see this a lot of this in your day-to-day work?

Well, collaborative working is something that defines pretty much every day at Actemium. Maintenance in the EV world means constant teamwork – between project managers, field technicians, customers, and external contractors. We depend on each other to keep service levels high and downtime to a minimum. Ultimately, it is collaboration that helps us meet client expectations and keep the EV infrastructure running smoothly and reliably.

Seeing as you are thoroughly enjoying your career in engineering, what advice would you give to other women considering it at the moment?

Step into it with confidence – your skills, perspective, and leadership are in demand. Engineering and Project Management, especially in fast-evolving sectors like EV infrastructure, is as much about clear thinking, communication, and decision-making as it is about technical know-how. If you’re driven, solutions-focused, and enjoy making a tangible impact, this is a space where you can certainly thrive and grow.

So what or who has helped you grow your career at Actemium?

During the many years I spent working as part of the admin-finance team at Actemium, I had the privilege of teaming up with experienced engineers and project managers. Their guidance gave me invaluable insight into balancing technical demands with commercial realities.

My university degree in Project Management has also been instrumental in providing a solid foundation in planning and financial oversight, which has been key to managing complex maintenance projects effectively.

Beyond formal education, I believe much of my growth is down to my own perseverance, ambition, and a strong willingness to take on challenges. I’ve always been driven to improve, step up when needed, and push for results – even in high-pressure situations.

This combination of mentoring, learning from others, and drawing on my personal drive has played a crucial role in shaping my career path to-date.

We sense a very strong team spirit in your business unit. How do you all support each other — personally and professionally?

Our Maintenance team is made up of people from a wide range of professional and educational backgrounds – and that is one of our biggest strengths. We have a culture of constant learning from one another and approaching challenges from different angles. As a result, there’s a strong sense of mutual respect, support, and contribution across the board.

Could you please share a moment you felt proud to be part of a team at Actemium?

It’s hard to pick just one moment—I’ve felt proud so many times. Whether it’s the team pulling together to solve a tricky issue under pressure, someone speaking up to make a positive difference, or seeing new colleagues settle in and do well – those moments really show the strength of our team. I also feel a real sense of pride when we get positive feedback from our customers—it’s a great reminder of how much effort and commitment everyone brings.

At the end, what is your career moto?

Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t belong in engineering. We’re not just here to take part – we are truly shaping our industry.