International Women in Engineering Day: A Conversation with Monika Dharia

GreenGear becomes B Corp certified

June 23rd marks International Women in Engineering Day, a global initiative that began in the United Kingdom in 2014 and gained international recognition in 2017 with support from UNESCO. This day shines a spotlight on the accomplishments of women in the engineering field and aims to inspire the next generation to see themselves in a profession that has historically lacked gender diversity.

In honor of this important day, I had the opportunity to sit down with our founder and CEO, Monika Dharia. With a foundation in engineering, Monika brings a unique perspective to leadership—one shaped by problem-solving, innovation, and resilience. We discussed how her engineering background continues to influence her journey, both professionally and personally. Here's what she shared: 

Q: Can you share a mantra, quote, or lesson you live by that keeps you motivated?

A: My favorite mantra / quote actually comes from a Batman movie - "It is not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me."

It’s always stuck with me because it’s such a clear reminder that intentions, beliefs, or even credentials don’t matter as much as action. At the end of the day, it’s what you show up and do that counts.

That mindset has really shaped how I lead and build at GreenGear. I’m constantly asking myself, our partners and the team: Are we backing up our values with action? Are we creating real impact & getting things done, not just conceptualizing good ideas? It helps keep me grounded and focused - not in theory, but in practice. Whether it’s about sustainability, ethical decision-making, or how we treat our partners and customers, that quote reminds me that integrity is measured through action, not intention.

Q: What inspired you to study engineering in the first place?

A: Engineering runs in the family: my mom, her sisters and my grandpa studied it, so I grew up seeing it as a natural, empowering path. But for me, it was also a strategic choice. I actually wanted to be an environmental lawyer at one point, like Marshall from How I Met Your Mother. I figured that having a technical background would give me a unique edge since my best subject in high school were my Math & Science classes over my English classes. I saw engineering as a way to build a strong foundation for whatever I wanted to do next. It teaches you how to think critically, solve problems, and understand systems, all of which are useful far beyond the field itself.

Q: What advice would you give to young women considering a career in engineering or tech?

A: My biggest advice is to keep moving forward with confidence and stay true to who you are. Engineering and tech can be incredibly exciting and rewarding, but it’s also totally normal to feel like you don’t always fit into the mold, especially early on. Don’t waste your energy trying to shrink yourself or change who you are just to blend in. The industry needs fresh perspectives, and your unique way of thinking is a strength, not something to hide.

Also, seek out communities where you feel supported and seen. Whether it's classmates, mentors, clubs, or online groups, being around people who uplift and encourage you can make a huge difference. You're never alone, even if it feels that way sometimes. Keep showing up, asking questions, and taking up space. You absolutely belong here, and your contributions matter.

Q: How do you see the experience of women in engineering evolving, and where is there still work to be done?

A: I think we’ve made some great progress in recent years. It's becoming more common to see women entering engineering and tech fields, and even in my own experience, it feels like these spaces are starting to welcome a broader mix of voices and ideas. That said, there’s still more we can do to make sure everyone feels comfortable and confident collaborating, regardless of gender.

From my own experience, I’ve noticed that in classroom settings, people often tend to stick with others who look like them or share similar backgrounds. It’s totally natural, but it can hold us back from making the most of diverse teams. When we’re not mixing perspectives, we miss out on creativity and innovation. I think one of the biggest opportunities ahead is creating environments where men and women feel equally at ease working together, asking questions, sharing ideas, and supporting one another.

This kind of culture starts early, even in school, and it really shapes how we show up in our careers later on. The more we can encourage diverse collaboration, mutual respect, and genuine curiosity about each other’s strengths and experiences, the stronger and more inclusive the engineering field will become. There’s still work to be done, but I’m hopeful about where we’re headed.

 

Q: How does your engineering background influence the way you lead, design, and problem-solve at Green Gear?

A: My engineering background has shaped not only how I think through problems, but also how I see responsibility in design. One of the core takeaways from my studies was learning to analyze systems from every angle. This is something that’s directly influenced how I approach product design at GreenGear. I naturally gravitate toward lifecycle analysis when developing our products, asking how they perform not just at launch, but over their entire life - from production to end-of-life.

But what really stuck with me from my studies were the moments where ethics were woven into the curriculum. I had a few professors who challenged us to zoom out from the technical work and ask harder questions. I remember one final project where we had to design a water system for a region, but every option presented serious ethical concerns. To get an A, you had to recognize that and decline the project entirely. Another professor would sneak an ethics question into the end of every math exam - not something you'd expect, but it forced us to reflect on the broader consequences of our work.

Those experiences trained me to "look up" and to not get so buried in the numbers that I miss the real-world impact. At GreenGear, that perspective helps guide both the business and the design side. We’re not just focused on creating more sustainable products. We’re constantly asking: What’s the bigger picture? How can we align product performance & quality with purpose? I think that’s a big part of what makes GreenGear unique - we’re integrating ethics and environmental responsibility right into the core of our design and decision-making process.

Today, and every day, we celebrate the women who are redefining what engineering looks like, and what it stands for. At GreenGear, that means building with purpose, leading with integrity, and solving problems with the future in mind. There’s still work to do, but with more voices like Monika’s at the table, we’re getting closer to a world where every young woman can see herself not just in the field, but leading it.