Emma Molobi, 35, is a principal engineer at Transnet Freight Rail, where she leads an ISO 17025 and Transport Canada-accredited testing facility. She earned her BSc, MSc and PhD in engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand and later attained qualifications in welding engineering and leadership programmes in South Africa and the US. Emma oversees a multidisciplinary team and directs cutting-edge work in metallurgy, materials innovation, failure analysis and non-destructive testing for the rail sector. A highlight of her career was establishing an in-house rotating machines shaft manufacturing and refurbishment line — an achievement that improved operational efficiency and reduced costs. Beyond her professional life, Emma is a mentor through the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a chapter ambassador for Women in 3D Printing, promoting gender inclusivity in STEM. As a guest lecturer at the University of Pretoria, she bridges industrial insight with academic learning. Driven by a passion for lifelong learning and creating a more inclusive, solutions-oriented South Africa, Emma shows up every day with a desire to build a better future.