The Power of Kindness in Leadership: A Conversation with Maira Bana

In a world where corporate culture often revolves around policies and performance metrics, Maira is advocating for something far more human: kindness. 

An accomplished engineer at RED (UK), she is championing a workplace culture where empathy is not just an add-on but a fundamental pillar of leadership and collaboration.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Maira as part of SF Recruitment’s Inspiring Women series, where we explore the journeys, challenges, and insights of exceptional women across industries. Our conversation spanned career reflections, workplace culture, and the need for genuine support systems that go beyond written policies. What emerged was a compelling case for embedding kindness into the fabric of the modern workplace.

As we prepare to share this interview on 8th March for International Women’s Day, Maira’s insights serve as a timely reminder of the power of support, empathy, and resilience in shaping inclusive workplaces.

The Role of Kindness in Workplace Culture

Maira is deeply passionate about the power of respect and tough empathy in leadership. “Policies are important, but they only go so far. What truly defines our culture is the way we treat one another day to day—the way we, with our colleagues and leaders, create an environment where everyone feels heard, valued, and accountable,” she explains.

She believes that kindness should be intrinsic to workplace dynamics.

So how do we embed this philosophy into company culture? “Of course, it starts with leadership setting the tone and valuing kindness to the point that it trickles down,” Maira says. “But it’s also about personal responsibility—everyone, at every level, has the power to make their workplace supportive and inclusive.”

Breaking Barriers and Creating Change

As a woman in engineering, Maira is no stranger to breaking barriers. But she’s quick to point out that inclusivity isn’t just about increasing numbers—it’s about ensuring that underrepresented groups feel genuinely supported and valued throughout their careers.

“If we want more women in engineering, we need to look beyond recruitment and consider retention,” she says. “Are women being given the same opportunities for progression? Are they being mentored effectively? Do they feel like they belong? These are the questions companies need to be asking."

“This is more important now than ever—we’re at a time when the term DE&I seems to need explanation so that it is not conflated with ‘quotas’, and when advocating for minority groups is being incorrectly perceived as a demand for ‘positive discrimination’.”

If she could change one thing about the engineering sector? “I’d like to see more value placed on emotional intelligence in leadership. Technical skills can be taught, but the ability to lead with empathy is what really drives long-term success.”

A Lighter Note

Of course, no Inspiring Women interview would be complete without some light-hearted moments. When asked about her advice to aspiring engineers, Maira focuses on demonstrating how engineers think rather than simply what they know.

“The art of deduction is as big a tell on your engineering intellect as your knowledge.”

A friend of hers recently pointed out that this sounds like something spoken by a true Agatha Christie fan—an observation Maira is more than happy to own!

The Importance of Sharing Stories

Our conversation ended on a reflective note, with Maira emphasising the importance of platforms like Inspiring Women. “When we share our stories, we make it easier for others to see themselves in spaces they might not have considered before. Representation isn’t just about seeing people who look like you—it’s about hearing voices that resonate with your own experiences.”

At SF Recruitment, we couldn’t agree more. Our Inspiring Women series is designed to do just that—amplify voices, spark conversations, and celebrate the real stories behind careers.

As we release this interview in celebration of International Women’s Day on 8th March, Maira’s insights serve as a powerful reminder that kindness, support, and shared experiences are key to creating workplaces where everyone can thrive.

A huge thank you to Maira for sharing her journey with us. We can’t wait to see what she does next!

About Maira

Maira Bana is an accomplished Chartered Mechanical Engineer and Head of Computational Engineering at RED Engineering Design. With deep expertise in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), she specialises in analysing and resolving cooling and airflow challenges within the data centre industry.

Beyond her technical expertise, Maira is a passionate advocate for equity, diversity, and mentorship in engineering. She actively works to foster inclusive and empathetic workplace cultures, championing the importance of kindness in leadership.

Maira is a Trustee of SheCanEngineer, a past Chair of the IMechE Construction & Building Services Division, and a dedicated volunteer within the engineering community. Her contributions to the industry have been widely recognised, including being named one of the WES Top 50 Women in Engineering 2024 and featuring on the King’s New Year’s Honours List in 2025.

SheCanEngineer is a charity working to close the gender gap in engineering industries by showcasing the accomplishments of female engineers, raising awareness around issues relating to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I), and promoting engineering to children.