Our #STEMsation Spotlight is on the amazing Freda Palm Muyambo!

Who is Freda Palm Muyambo?

She is an award-winning career ambassador and the founder of Hulu Consulting Ltd. Her mission is to help organizations, professionals, and entrepreneurs enhance Africa’s growth efforts by turning ideas into reality. Trained as an Electrical Engineer and a Strategic Program and Project Management Expert, she possesses 20 years of international experience across Australia, the UK, and Africa.

With a strong background in empathetic leadership and coaching, she has successfully managed multi-million dollar public and privately financed capital programs, as well as donor-funded projects. Additionally, she has co-authored two internationally published books, The Science of Spice and Black Food, and is a passionate advocate for preserving African foodways.

Job Title/Duties	Years
Consultant	12

Special Awards:

Making a Difference Award - Women in Transport (100 years of Women in Transport Campaign 2016)

Specialized Training/Education:

MSc in Construction Economics and Management
Electrical Engineering

How did you choose to pursue this field?

I really enjoyed maths and science, particularly physics. I could intuitively figure out solutions to maths problems.

But it wasn’t until a mining company visited my school and told us that girls could pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics that I started considering an engineering career. I was probably 15 at the time.

Who was your inspiration or role model that guided you to this field?

At the time I pursued electrical engineering, I did not have a lot of information on the career or women who pursued this career so I put a lot upon myself to figure out my path and perhaps be the role model I never had for others.

I am so glad to say that I wasn’t the only one rising up to the challenge of being a role model for female engineers.

Did you always have the desire to work in this field?

Until I was 15 and heard about engineering as a career for women, I had actually not thought too much about my career except coming up with a hundred reasons why I did not want to be a doctor.

My parents used to mention being a doctor to me quite often but that did not sit well with me.

My career and field is something I figured out as I went along. Sometimes I wish I had had a role model to emulate because many times it felt like trial and error. But I am pleased that this made me want to search for a reason to be an engineer.

I went looking for it at work and outside of work where I volunteered for disaster relief engineers, engineers without borders and an organization called STEMNET who gave me the opportunity to speak to kids about careers in engineering.

In a way all that helped me to fill the gap of “why engineering.” And I found it was not the love of how machines worked but what these machines did for humanity in making the lives of men, women and children better, especially in developing countries.

It was my work in speaking with children in schools that lead to my Making a Difference award.

What do you love most about your job?

I am a thinker and problem solved so I really enjoy the mental challenge of coming up with sustainable solutions to make communities live a little better.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your job or career?

The knowledge that I am literally changing lives and the future outlook of community by helping them to keep their lights on.

I have now taken it a step further by pivoting to renewable energy (solar power plants) as this particular strategy is what most African countries with chronic power problems need; a decentralized power distribution strategy. And that’s what solar farms can provide.

What things would you change about your job?

I would definitely make it a friendlier and more welcoming and encouraging environment.

All you need is one person to believe in you and that alone can change one’s sense of self belief and confidence.

What has been the most difficult or disappointing aspect of your job?

I took some time for a career break (a career shift in reality) to care for my young children. Coming back to my career has been challenging, and knocking on many doors only for them to remain shut has been a knock to my confidence.

To overcome this I turned to the entrepreneurial and consulting route. This has helped me find a routine and framework for processing information in a systematic manner and I am now charting new territory for myself by leading a 100MW solar project for one of my clients.

Of course I had moments in the workplace where I knew I was not welcome, particularly because I am a woman. But I did not give much attention to that.

I also had great colleagues who continued to appreciate my presence as a female engineer.

How have you combated the stigma of being a "woman of color" in STEM?

I continued to show up regardless of the opposition I faced. Sometimes it meant I worked twice as hard and made sure I gained even more qualifications.

But I did not let any negativity or opposition stop me, even when I felt discouraged. I found strength in being a beacon of light and encouragement for others, especially when I spoke in schools, inspiring children into engineering careers.

I am also someone who would rather speak up than remain quiet, even if it meant moving on to another organization.

What tips would you offer for anyone thinking about entering into your profession?

Definitely connect with the bigger picture of why engineering is important.

For me, I connected with the fact that good engineering saves lives and improves the livelihoods of the most vulnerable in society, often women and children.

Imagine that just having light in the home can make or break someone’s education and future prospects. Or that having access to clean energy ultimately helps communities live longer, free of respiratory diseases from having to inhale smoke from fires.

What advice would you give your younger self about your career journey as a "woman of color" working in a predominantly white, male-dominated field?

Don’t pay attention to the haters because there are more guys who are happy that you stepped up to challenge and appreciate you being in the room with them.

That would be a great thing to focus on. The positives. The wins. The progress.

Can you provide some words of wisdom to young ladies considering entering a STEM field as a career choice?

STEM fields makes so much of a difference to other women less capable than you. If you got the mind to solve problems you can do it and make a difference to others who can’t.