Marilyn Adesina

General Info

What will be your most valuable contribution to your TechWomen mentorship?

I hope my most valuable contribution to the TechWomen mentorship experience will be bringing a unique perspective on water resources challenges in Sierra Leone and western Africa, especially in the context of climate resilience and sustainable development. By sharing my field experience, policy engagement and community-driven approach, I aim to enrich cross-cultural learning and contribute to meaningful discussions on applying technology for global impact. I also hope to inspire fellow participants by demonstrating how engineering can be a powerful tool for social change, particularly in under-resourced regions.

The Top Three Things I Would Like to Learn or Experience During my Mentorship

1. Explore advance skills in GIS and remote sensing and also explore innovative water management technologies.
2. Learn effective advocacy for water policy reforms and enhance data-driven decision-making skills and have a great experience in tech-industry work.
3. Enhance public speaking skills.

Mentorship Characteristic

• Visit an office or attend a site-visit
• Participate in a skills-building course, either provided by my mentor’s company or identify a free resource online
• Identify workshops or certificate programs to further my learning after the program has ended
• Focus on technical skills building
• Identify a short-term project I can work on at the partnering company

Ideal Company Type

As a senior water resources engineer, my ideal mentor is an experienced professional in sustainable water or environmental technologies, working in a mid- to large-sized company focused on smart infrastructure, climate resilience or green innovation. The industry should value expansion, knowledge-sharing and collaborative leadership. I seek a mentor who blends technical expertise with strategic thinking and has a passion for solving global water challenges through technology. An impact-driven work culture is important one that encourages innovation, supports women in STEM and fosters global partnerships. Ideally, the mentor should be committed to empowering professionals from emerging economies through mentorship and exchange.

What are three adjectives that best describe you in the work place?

1. Resilient
2. Assertive
3. Reliable

What impact will your mentorship have on your career and professional path?

I hope that the 15-day mentorship with mentor will provide me with hands-on exposure to cutting-edge technologies and approaches in water resource management. This experience will help me sharpen my technical and leadership skills, especially in areas like smart water infrastructure, data-driven planning and climate resilience. I also look forward to learning best practices in project implementation, stakeholder engagement and innovation within a global context. The mentorship will open doors to new opportunities, expand my professional network and strengthen my capacity to design and lead impactful water projects that address critical challenges in Sierra Leone and beyond.

After participating in the TechWomen program, how will you leverage your mentorship experience to make an impact in your home country?

I will leverage my mentorship experience to drive innovation and strengthen water governance in Sierra Leone by applying the skills and knowledge gained in technology, leadership and sustainable water management. I plan to integrate new approaches into ongoing projects, improve stakeholder collaboration and advocate for smarter, data-driven decision-making in the sector. Additionally, I will share insights through capacity-building workshops, mentor young professionals, especially women in STEM, and support policies that promote climate-resilient infrastructure. This experience will enable me to champion more impactful, collaborative and future-ready solutions to address water challenges in Sierra Leone.

Work History

Years of Full-time Work Experience

10

Primary Professional Focus

• Civil, water or environmental specialist
• Design or CAD
• Energy, renewable technology or green technology

Education History