In this first episode of 2025, Tiffany Sprague sits down with Pallavi Kunwar, an environmental engineer at Engineers Without Borders in Nepal, to explore what it means to lead with purpose in water resource management and sustainable development. Pallavi shares how a childhood dream of being a hero shaped her career path, and how she learned to navigate the delicate balance between progress and preservation. Through candid stories of successes and setbacks, Pallavi highlights the critical role of empathy and collaboration in addressing complex community challenges. She reflects on the resilience required to tackle obstacles, the unique strengths women bring to engineering, and why creating safe spaces for women in STEM matters. With wisdom and heart, Pallavi offers advice for aspiring engineers on staying curious, solution-oriented, and persistent in the face of adversity. This conversation is a powerful reminder of how purpose-driven work can inspire meaningful change.
Access full transcript in English here.
