PWD Women’s History Month Spotlight: Bri Conway

For Women’s History Month, we are introducing you to some phenomenal women working at the Philadelphia Water Department, making a difference every day and doing extraordinary things in their careers.

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Explain what you do at PWD. What is something that people would find interesting about the job?

I’m an Engineering Supervisor I in the Green Stormwater Operations Unit. Our team manages the inspection, maintenance, protection, and retrofit of PWD’s green stormwater infrastructure — assets such as rain gardens, tree trenches, and bumpouts designed to manage the city’s stormwater runoff.

One thing I love about my job is that I have the opportunity to be involved in the entire lifecycle of these projects. I started in this role a little over four years ago, and several green infrastructure designs I reviewed at the beginning of my time here in 2021 have since completed construction and are now in PWD maintenance custody. It’s incredibly rewarding to see projects move from a set of plans on paper, through construction, to completed and operational systems that improve our neighborhoods and waterways.

What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself looking to work at PWD in your career field?

I would tell a younger version of myself that pursuing a career in the public sector is a challenging but incredibly rewarding and worthwhile pivot. Before joining PWD, I worked as an engineering consultant on international water resources projects. While that experience was valuable, I realized I wanted to be more directly involved in projects within my own community. A career with PWD is a great way to see the tangible impact of your work.

Do you think there are any barriers for women wanting to do your job? If so, how did you overcome them?

Careers in STEM are still largely male-dominated. It can sometimes feel daunting to step into spaces where you’re one of the only women — especially when supervising field crews or needing to assert technical expertise with confidence.

One of the most valuable ways I’ve navigated this has been through my involvement in PWD’s Women’s Employee Resource Group. Connecting with women across the department, hearing their experiences, and learning from how they lead with confidence in male-dominated environments has been incredibly empowering. Over time, I’ve learned that confidence grows with practice. Being assertive in your expertise and trusting your knowledge becomes easier the more you do it. Having a strong network of women to learn from and lean on makes a huge difference.

Here’s your chance to give a special shout out to a woman in your own life, at work, or in your community who has served as a role model or mentor – who’s getting your praise?

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be inspired by the strong women leading my unit since I started working at PWD. Ashley Willis, my direct supervisor, and Meg Malloy, another supervisor in my unit, have both shown me how to lead assertively, fairly, and empathetically. Watching them navigate complex projects, support their teams, and lead with thoughtfulness has been a great example to learn from as I continue to grow in my own role within the department.

Share your favorite inspirational quote by a woman…

“To love a place is not enough. We must find ways to heal it.”

– Robin Wall Kimmerer