Women In Rail South Committee Hosts: The Change Within

with Guest Speaker Michelle Perkins from VolkerWessels UK

An interactive and empowering session bringing together the power of women across the industry.

Date: Thursday 28th May 2026
Time: 13:00-14:00
Location: Teams

Session Overview: Empowerment at Work

This session explores what empowerment looks like in practice and how it shows up in everyday working life. The session focuses on the role of our own thoughts and behaviours, how we navigate challenging moments, and how support from others and the wider organisation can make a real difference.

The session is interactive and discussion‑led, drawing on the experience and insight in the room. Participants will reflect on how they show up at work, explore practical tools they can use in the moment, and consider the role of leaders, teams and organisational culture in enabling people to feel confident and supported.

Attendees will leave with clear, practical actions they can apply immediately, both for themselves and in how they support others at work.

The session will be hosted by the WR South Committee.

Michelle Perkins, Volker Fitzpatrick

Michelle Perkins (known as Perks) is a Human Performance Specialist with over 22 years’ experience in the Royal Air Force, working across physical performance, rehabilitation, wellbeing, leadership and team dynamics in high‑pressure environments. She joined VolkerWessels in January as the Learning Delivery Lead, her focus is on leadership development and shaping organisational culture through behaviour, mindset and everyday practice. Perks is passionate about supporting people to be the best they can be and creating workplaces where individuals feel confident, capable and supported to grow. Outside of work, she is an avid football fan, and is passionate about travel and food, she’s also been trying (with mixed success) to learn Spanish for the last ten years, but remains determined to keep going.