Shivani Hundiwala, one of Dover’s woman engineers, shares how she feels empowered in the workplace and how winning an industry award inspired her both personally and professionally.
At Dover, one of our core values is “respects and values people.” We believe that cultivating an inclusive culture where employees feel valued for their diverse backgrounds and experiences, as well as their contributions, is vital for our continued success and innovation. Our engineers are best-in-class, and we encourage them to continuously learn and grow, advancing our innovation.
As a part of that commitment, Dover is proud to partner with and support the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). We are aligned with SWE’s mission of empowering women to achieve their full potential in careers as engineers and leaders. One of our own, Shivani Hundiwala, a SWE member and recent Women MAKE Award winner, exemplifies that shared mission in action.
The Women MAKE Awards, presented by the Manufacturing Institute
— the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers — recognize women in science, technology, engineering, and production careers who are making a lasting impact in the manufacturing industry. These honorees demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication in their fields. Shivani began her journey with Dover as a manufacturing engineer at Dover Food Retail, one of our operating companies, and recently transitioned into an operations role. In just three years, her career has flourished. Reflecting on her early interests, Shivani says her path to engineering was rooted in curiosity and a drive to solve problems. | 
Shivani Hundiwala |
“I always liked problem-solving, even when I was a kid and at home, I just always felt that need. If something was broken, it was my job in the house to fix it. I was also very interested in organization and efficiency,” she explained.
Throughout her time at Dover, Shivani has observed the leadership’s commitment to making sure she and her fellow team members are respected and recognized for their hard work.
“That’s what I like here. Everyone is encouraged to have a voice. You are visible to everyone, and that’s one of the qualities that I haven’t seen in previous experiences.”
Jeffrey Yehle, Dover’s senior vice president & chief human resources officer, affirms the company’s commitment to inclusion and empowerment. “We are proud to empower our employees and encourage them to break barriers in innovation and leadership every day,” said Jeff.
Shivani is also thankful for her mentors who provided opportunities for continued learning and gave her projects to gain experience in new spaces.
“When I started here, I did not have the skills that I have now. It’s awesome to have leadership who guides you and challenges you. I never imagined a career in operations, but I was encouraged because they saw where my strengths could shine,” Shivani shared.
Regarding her Women MAKE Award, Shivani explains how this honor has impacted her both personally and professionally. “It feels nice to get recognized. It is validating to receive something that was given to me by the Manufacturing Institute and to be acknowledged not just by somebody that knows me here. It has reminded me that what I’ve done is meaningful, and it’s worth it.”
Shivani also had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., where she attended a gala, received her award, and participated in a leadership program with fellow honorees. The experience left her inspired to pay it forward.
“I feel encouraged to lift others as I grow. I’ve been given the opportunity to succeed, and now I can help create those same opportunities for others. We should all give back and drive meaningful changes within the industry,” Shivani explained.
As she looks to the future, Shivani shares advice for women entering the field of engineering.
“My mom told me that you don’t really have to fit in a mold. You need to break the mold to truly flourish. That always stuck with me. Then, just be yourself. Ask questions and be bold. I don’t think women should hesitate. There’s no reason why anyone should hesitate.”
For more information about Dover and available career opportunities, please visit our website or our LinkedIn page.
This article originally appeared on SWE's All Together Blog.