Ruby Heard is a versatile and ambitious entrepreneur and electrical engineer with global experience and a penchant for sustainability. She began her career with Arup designing electrical and lighting systems for iconic buildings in Melbourne. In 2015 she transferred to the Arup San Francisco Office to apply her skills to renewable energy systems – complex solar arrays and microgrids.

After she completed a 6-month expedition for Engineers Without Borders in 2018, to support the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees energy team in Ethiopia, Ruby founded Alinga Energy Consulting – a socially conscious engineering consultancy that provides specialist energy services to the commercial, government and ngo sectors within Australia and internationally. Her company has a particular focus on areas where energy accessibility and affordability issues prevent or limit the availability of reliable power. With indigenous heritage originating from the Djaru people of the Kimberley, Ruby is especially driven to find solutions for Indigenous communities.

Ruby will be presenting in Wednesday night’s session.