Anna-Lise Nanton, BSc. (Civ.Eng.)
Meet Geotechnical Engineer, Anna-Lise Nanton, Miss World T&T 2024.
Anna-Lise is a National Scholar who pursued a career in Engineering, following in the footsteps of her father. A First-Class Honors Civil Engineering graduate, she is an Engineer with a Purpose, who moved comfortably from Construction Sites to Catwalks or perhaps from Soil to the Stages and captured the Crown of Miss World T&T 2024. An avid reader, sportswoman and fitness enthusiast, she was ensnared by the specialist field of Geotechnics in her first engineering internship assignment, and now practices her engineering at the Geotechnical Engineering Consultancy firm of Earth Investigation System Limited (EISL), headed veteran Geotechnical Engineer, Dr. Derek Gay.
By excelling in both engineering and the pageant world, Anna-Lise demonstrates that women can succeed in diverse fields, and pursue their interests, no matter how varied they may be. Her example is that of how to balance multiple roles and commitments, inspiring young women to pursue their dreams without feeling the need to choose one path over another.
We know that our best science students pursue careers in engineering and now we can confirm, the most beautiful as well. The Engineering Community therefore wishes Anna-Lise every success in managing her career in engineering while fulfilling her responsibilities as Miss World T&T. As a representative of diversity in both her professional and pageant roles, she can advocate for greater inclusion and representation of women in various fields, helping to create a more equitable society.
The BOETT had a Chat with Anna-Lise, in which we discussed her inspiration to pursue a career in engineering, her motivation to participate in the Miss World T&T pageant, her advocacy and future goals and her personal interest and aspirations.
Q1. Congratulations on winning the Miss World T&T 2024 crown! How does it feel to represent your country on such a prestigious international platform?
Thank you so much! It still seems a bit surreal, but I feel incredibly honored to have this opportunity and am very excited for the journey ahead! I’m a very proud Trinbagonian and representing my country has always been a dream of mine. It’s a special feeling to see that come true!
Q2. Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in engineering and more specifically geotechnical engineering?
My father is an engineer and I always knew I wanted to follow in his footsteps. At one point I was drawn to Architecture because I loved Art but I also really liked Math, Physics and Geography. Civil Engineering seemed like the best of both worlds. Geotechnical Engineering is a specialized field within Civil Engineering, which I actually fell into by chance. I was fortunate to win an open scholarship which allowed me to undertake my undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Bath. As part of my degree, I undertook a one-year internship with an engineering consultancy in the UK called Arup. I was randomly assigned to the Geotechnics team and ended up loving it! After graduating I rejoined Arup for two years before returning to Trinidad last year. I now work as a Geotechnical Engineer for a local engineering firm called Earth Investigation Systems Ltd. I think Geotechnics is really interesting because every work-site is very unique (you never know what’s buried underground) and you get to work on a wide range of projects from offshore to high-rise buildings.
Q3. How did you balance your demanding career in engineering with your preparation for the Miss World pageant?
A lot of prioritizing and sacrifices. I had to keep a very tight schedule and allocate my time very wisely. There were some very late nights, but I am lucky to have a job that allows me to work remotely. I would often carry my laptop with me to the Miss World training!
Q4. How do you think your engineering background has prepared you for the challenges of the Miss
World competition?
I think my engineering background has equipped me with a unique set of skills that will definitely help me with the challenges of the Miss World competition. Engineering is all about problem solving, and I think that’s crucial in a competition like this, where quick thinking and adaptability are key. Presenting projects and collaborating with colleagues has also significantly enhanced my communication skills, enabling me to articulate my thoughts clearly and confidently in public speaking engagements and interviews.
Q5. What message do you hope to convey about women in STEM fields through your participation in
Miss World?
I want to show young girls and women that we can be anything we want to be! Historically women have been seen as less capable or less intelligent, and sometimes we can even doubt ourselves. But that’s not true. We are more than capable! I also think there’s this idea that to be taken seriously in STEM fields you have to suppress your femininity. I myself used to feel that way. But I think that’s so wrong, I think it’s really inspiring when you own who you are, and I actually think my colleagues respect me more for it. In fact, I know they do!
Q6. What motivated you to participate in the Miss World Trinidad and Tobago pageant?
It’s something I thought about doing since I was a teenager. I went to see one of the Miss World final
pageants and was blown away by the confident, glowing women I saw on stage. As time went on I
ended up focusing more on my academic pursuits and actually won an open scholarship, which I used to complete my undergraduate degree in the UK. I had just returned to Trinidad last year when I saw the advertisement for the Miss World T&T screening on social media. I loved how the pageant had evolved into something far beyond just ‘beauty’. Miss World is about having purpose. Delegates are judged on public speaking, debate skills, community impact, fitness and talent. I love the message of ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ and as someone who has always been involved in charitable work, I felt like the Miss World Trinidad and Tobago pageant was an opportunity for me to give back to my community and make a positive impact in Trinidad and Tobago on a much larger scale.
Q7. Can you share some highlights or memorable moments from your journey in the pageant so far?
There were many special moments, but I particularly enjoyed enacting my Beauty with a Purpose project. Every week the primary school girls who participated in my ‘Sisters Strong’ project would run up to me in excitement as soon as I arrived. And there’s no feeling more rewarding than helping to improve someone’s day. I felt so proud watching them become stronger – both mentally and physically – and more confident in themselves each week. They were all super excited to join a sports club when they go to secondary school! Some of the girls have serious potential and I can’t wait to see the incredible athletes they’ll one day become!
Q8. How do you plan to use the Miss World platform to further your personal and professional goals?
For me, the Miss World platform was never about receiving, it was always about giving. I think I have a lot to give and I’m extremely passionate about changing the way we build in T&T. If I could help to improve or change the way we think about infrastructure, such that if there is greater focus on aligning with sustainable development, building to suit our climate, our culture and our people, it would be a dream come true. For example, I was driving past a bridge on the way to a site one day and my manager commented that the bridge used to be wooden and it had become a common liming spot for fishing and relaxing – just to look at the view of the river. The bridge had been replaced by a concrete structure which was a huge contrast to the surrounding natural beauty and blocked the view of the river. That cultural aspect of the bridge as a lookout point was now lost. We need to be more mindful of the way we build. These structures will remain sometimes for decades and even generations. I do believe our infrastructure can play a huge role in shaping our way of life. And it’s the role of an engineer to do just that!
Q9. Miss World emphasizes “Beauty with a Purpose.” What is your purpose or advocacy, and how do you plan to implement it on a global scale?
Outside of being an engineer I’m also an avid sportswoman and an outdoor person. I am a football player, former track and field athlete and touch rugby player. My passion for sport was actually the inspiration for my Beauty with a Purpose project “Sisters Strong” which seeks to empower women and girls through sport. The mental and physical health benefits of sport and exercise are profound and I actually think playing sport has had a huge role in my success. Sport taught me to be resilient, determined, dedicated and also gave me an incredibly supportive community. Through Sisters Strong I started offering free rugby coaching sessions to the Standards 3 to 5 girls at Santa Cruz RC School in partnership with a national rugby player, Coach Blossom Stewart and the School of Rugby. The aim of these sessions was not just to teach the girls the sport but also to empower them and give them the confidence and belief in themselves that they are capable of doing anything.
Sports can also offer incredible opportunities and allow those who may not be academically inclined to take advantage of their other skills. I think that sport is something that’s often neglected when it comes to girls but is so incredibly beneficial. I’m currently developing my project further and am also looking at extending my project to target sustainable development and climate issues. I can’t wait to share more in the coming months!
Q10. What role do you think engineering and technology can play in addressing some of the world’s most pressing issues, such as climate change and sustainability?
It plays a huge role! The construction industry is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions. There needs to be more emphasis on switching to renewable energy sources, building energy-efficient structures, and using sustainable building materials.
In Trinidad and Tobago, a mistake that’s often made is not building to suit our climate. While this approach may be chosen to save costs, it ultimately results in higher expenses over time. By integrating nature into our landscapes and focusing on sustainable development, or better yet, making it a legal requirement, we can achieve long-term benefits.
For example, Singapore has successfully implemented green building practices, resulting in reduced temperatures, energy consumption, improved air quality, and enhanced urban living conditions. Prioritizing green infrastructure can significantly mitigate environmental impact and promote a healthier, more sustainable future.
Q11. What advice would you give to young women who aspire to pursue careers in engineering and also participate in beauty pageants?
Go for it! Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. I’ve always loved the saying, “shoot for the moon, even if you miss you might land among the stars”. To me it represents that every experience can teach you something and even if you don’t achieve exactly what you set out to do, you never know what might be waiting around the corner. But if you don’t try, you’ll never succeed.
Q12. Outside of your professional and pageant responsibilities, what are some of your hobbies and interests?
I love sport and fitness! I am currently a football player with the Queen’s Park Women’s Team and am also an avid hiker. I feel most at peace in nature. The Paria Waterfall hike is a personal favourite of mine! I’m also a huge bookworm and love to sit at the beach and get lost in a good book.
Q13. Finally, what message would you like to send to young girls and women in Trinidad and Tobago who would look up to you as a role model?
I want to redefine the way we view beauty. True beauty is not just about appearance. It is about having a purpose and living with intention, great intentions. It is about who you are on the inside and how you choose to use your gifts and talents to make a positive impact on the world around you.
To all the young girls and women in Trinidad and Tobago I want to say “embrace your uniqueness and never underestimate the power of your inner beauty”. Focus on developing your character, your values, and your skills. Remember that your worth is not determined by external standards but by your actions and the difference you make in the lives of others.
Pursue your passions with determination and courage. Whether it’s in academics, arts, sports, or any other field, believe in your abilities and strive for excellence. Don’t be afraid to dream big and work hard to achieve your goals.