In recognition of International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the women who are integral to our Company’s operations.
Kascia DaSilva: OHSE Coordinator, OHSE
Kascia has been with BELCO for five years and is currently the Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHSE) Coordinator.
Since starting at BELCO, Kascia said she has had the opportunity for continual professional development through several training and certification courses. She said: “While I began my tenure at the Company in an environmental role, I would have never expected that my aspirations would shift into a field that I had never considered throughout my youth or higher education. My background is in Environmental, Marine and Natural sciences. However, over the last few years I have pivoted my focus towards gaining more knowledge, experience and training in the health and safety field.”
Kascia is currently a member of the Wellbeing Committee and says that overall health and wellbeing is an important aspect of her lifestyle that she strives to be better at each day. Being a part of this committee means that she can be actively involved in assisting coworkers with leading an overall happy, healthy, comfortable career and life.
Kascia says that her favorite part of the job is being a member of the OHSE team. She said: “In OHSE we are passionate about ensuring that the Company’s health, safety and environmental culture is maintained at a high standard. Although there are days that can be trying and stressful it’s always a good feeling to know that you have a team that will have your back and ‘go to war’ with you.”
When asked if her field is male dominated, and if this has presented any challenges, Kascia said that working in an industrial environment is inherently male dominated which means that working in health and safety tends to be male dominated as well.
However, she added: “although many inherent stereotypes and unconscious biases are bound to exist, I don’t believe that this has negatively impacted my career. If anything, I believe that this has helped to propel and challenge me further. I believe that with challenge comes opportunities to learn and grow. I accept that I don’t know everything and having the ability to rely on other’s skills, expertise and knowledge means that we can figure most things out together. As a female, developing these relationships in the workplace is important to solidify your place as simply a coworker not a female coworker.”
Asked if her gender has ever held her back, Kascia said that she does not believe her gender has held her back in her working life. She has, however witnessed other women being impacted by gender bias and unfortunately, by another woman.
Kascia said: “Because society has further perpetuated a power gap between men and women for decades, woman can often be seen to have biases against other women as well. In the struggle for equity in society and the workplace, women must stick together to bridge the gaps that have existed. This is why I believe groups such as the Liberty Women’s Initiative Network are so important to help women to stick together to drive positive conversations to create a fully inclusive workplace.”
Kascia says her greatest asset within her role at the Company is her willingness, hunger and ability to continue to learn, grow and affect change in a constantly evolving industry. She lives by the quote from John C. Maxwell: “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.”
Outside of work, Kascia says family is the most important part of her life, being the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend that she can be and unapologetically caring and showing up for those she loves.
A sports enthusiast, Kascia enjoys playing field hockey and football as well as watching sporting events live or on TV. She also volunteers as a field hockey coach for the junior hockey programme with the Bermuda Hockey Federation (BHF). She has represented Bermuda on several occasions for both field hockey and football and is currently training with the Bermuda women’s national field hockey team in preparation for the CAC Games in June.
Other hobbies include spending time on the water boating, swimming, fishing and scuba diving. A self-described foodie, she also loves trying new cuisines as well as travelling and spending time with family.
Kascia was born in Bermuda and attended Bermuda Institute and then left the island to complete her undergraduate degree at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Following her undergraduate degree, she moved on to complete her master’s degree at Dalhousie University. Kascia currently holds a BSc. Honors Biology, MSc. Marine & Environmental Management. She has five years OHSE experience as well as several professional designations including IOSH Managing Safely Certificate, ILM 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management by City & Guilds, Rescue Diver, SAFESTART Instructor, ISO 14001 Lead Implementor, ICS 100 & 200 Training, CPR & First Aid Training, ETA Method 9 Field & Lecture Certification, Trainer for GAT, HMIA, Spill Response, Asbestos and MEPP.
Kascia says she has benefitted from female mentors in the past and is keen to develop this aspect of her career to connect with more female mentors and leaders. Kasica says being a wife and a mother are by far two of her favourite titles she holds and getting married and becoming a mother would top the list of a few of the coolest things she’s experienced. Another memorable experience was being selected as a leader for the US Department of States International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) in 2017. This programme brought together current and emerging leaders in the environmental field from around the world who were able to travel across the U.S for three weeks meeting with various state and private sector representatives in support of the foreign policy goals of the US. During this time, she was able to network and share her experience while building relationships with people with similar interests from over 20 different countries.
As far as advice or encouragement for other women looking to get into her profession, Kascia said: “Be sure about who you are and what you can achieve, find something you are passionate about and put everything you have into it.”
In five years, Kascia sees herself having more professional designations and being in a leadership role. As time progresses, she aims to always be better than she was the day before, always working on “raising my floor”, continually working on a strong foundation that can be built upon.
She said: “I want to be able to look back and see every barrier I have broken, every obstacle I have overcome, and every step that has been taken towards success. “We do not rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training,” Archilochius.”
Kascia feels that in the five years she has been with BELCO she has matured both personally and professionally.
She said: “I have gained more understanding on how to motivate, support and provide clear direction to my peers and those that I will lead in the future. I have also been able to self-reflect and be accountable for my faults and celebrate small wins.” Kascia looks forward to taking on leadership roles within the Company and said: “I have confidence that I possess several leadership qualities that I believe will help to strengthen the Company culture and continue to grow the business.”