Kristine Orense joined Black & White Engineering just six months ago, but she brings with her eight years of experience in building services, including critical projects in data centre engineering.
Finding Her Path In Electrical Engineering
Her passion for engineering was sparked at a young age. “Honestly, it was largely family influence that sparked my interest,” Kristine says. “I grew up hearing how engineering was a big deal, a field that truly shaped the world and that idea just stuck with me.”
Now working in the Dubai office as an Electrical Engineer, Kristine is part of a growing global team that thrives on collaboration and cross-disciplinary design. That shared sense of purpose is what the International Women in Engineering Day Theme ‘Together We Engineer’ means to her.
“For me, is all about that collaborative energy,” she explains. “It’s knowing we’re all on the same team, bringing our unique skills and genuinely supporting each other to come up with solutions that are effective and innovative. It’s like collaboration on another level.”
Learning, Growing and Staying Focused
Like many women in engineering, Kristine has had to overcome stereotypes and outdated perceptions. Her approach? Stay focused and let her work lead the conversation. “There have been times where I’ve had to push past assumptions,” she says. “But my strategy has always been to let my work speak for itself.”
Mentorship and inclusion have also played a vital role in her career journey. “A strong support network for me means having a team that truly embraces inclusion, where it’s a safe space for brainstorming, and where I get the encouragement and push I need to keep levelling up my skills. Every small step counts, and that has helped me grow.”
Creating Space for Success
Although still new to Black & White, Kristine already recognises a culture that champions growth and flexibility, especially for women balancing different priorities.
“The general atmosphere here really vibes with inclusivity,” she says. “Black & White feels like a place where women engineers can develop and grow. The flexibility around work schedules is a big deal for me, especially as a mom who has recently moved here. That kind of support stands out and shows a real commitment to helping female employees succeed.”
Looking ahead, she hopes that greater gender diversity will simply become the norm. “In the next 5–10 years, I want to see women in engineering leadership so normalised that gender isn’t even part of the conversation. More representation, fewer ‘first female’ headlines. Just brilliant engineers, making moves.”
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