Speakers

With more than 20 years’ experience in the civil construction industry, Isolde ('Issy') Piet has worked on mega infrastructure projects around the globe, including in the Netherlands, Turkey and more recently in Australia.

Isolde is one of the world’s first female tunnel boring machine (TBM) pilots, and is a strong supporter of attracting more women into the construction industry.

As tunnels lead on Suburban Rail Loop between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley, Isolde will be leading the construction and operation of the tunnels, and the tunnelling crews, including the world’s first all-women TBM crew.

A keen surfer, Isolde’s fascination for surfboard design led to an early interest in technical design, construction and engineering. She holds a Master of Science (Civil Engineering, Underground Construction) from Delft University of Technology.

Her first role out of university was working on what was considered the largest tunnel at the time - the Groene Hart Tunnel.

In Australia, Isolde set up a precast factory to manufacture tunnel segments in Brisbane and has most recently worked on the North East Link project.