Lydia Gentle

2023 Rising Star Award

Alumni Lydia Gentle is a highly experienced Fellow and Chartered Civil and Structural Engineer. As the youngest Australian to receive Engineering Executive status with Engineers Australia, and the second youngest person to be made a Fellow in her profession, Lydia is far deserving of the 2023 JCU Rising Star Award.

Beginning her career with a Bachelor of Engineering from JCU in 2005, Lydia has gone on to earn multiple qualifications to accelerate her career, including Masters in both engineering science and senior executive business administration as well as a Company Directors Diploma.

Lydia’s career spans the engineering, consultancy, construction and mining industries across multiple continents. In her current role as Portfolio Delivery Manager at BHP, Lydia uses her extensive project management experience to adopt innovative and collaborative approaches to design and product delivery. Lydia’s leadership utilises advanced programs and policies to create sustainable engineering practices.

Lydia was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2019 for her contribution to the field of engineering. She was also the winner for both the Queensland and National awards for Exceptional Women in mining.

She is the Co-Chair of the National Civil College Board, and also sits on the UQ Engineering Civil College Board as well as the Advisory Board for Top 100 Women. Lydia is also a member of both the Infrastructure Advisory Committee and the Professional Standards Committee of Engineers Australia, illustrating her passion and commitment to the engineering community and to increasing the profile of the profession.