Dr. Natalie Wride is a Chartered Senior Geotechnical Engineer and Register Ground Engineering Professional at Mott MacDonald with 9 years’ experience. Her PhD examined the effects of cyclic loading on soft soils, awarded the Best Academic Poster at the BGA Annual Conference 2019. During her time at Warwick University, she undertook higher education teaching, with a focus on inclusion and widening participation of learning within the engineering curriculum. She has continued this involvement as a mentor for the Social Mobility Foundation and has featured in the Ground Engineering Magazine and on the ‘Breaking Ground’ podcast discussing the importance of social mobility and the need for an inclusive workforce. Since returning to industry, she has pursued a career with a focus in geotechnical numerical analysis. Natalie currently works on HS2, implementing the observational method using digital solution Daarwin to facilitate real-time back analysis with machine-learning algorithms. She is one of two Global Early Career Professionals for the Observational Method at Mott MacDonald promoting the integrated and interactive design and construction control method and is passionate about ensuring projects achieve improved societal outcomes for clients and end-users. At the 2021 Ground Engineering Awards, Natalie was ‘Highly Commended’ for the Rising Star Award.