An inspiring force, Sladjana Lazarevic refused to let any challenges stand in the way of her goals. As a single mother, a female in a male-dominated profession, and a foreigner navigating diverse cultures, her journey spans continents, showcasing strength, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of her dreams.
Sladjana’s Story
From a young age, I was captivated by art and mathematics, making architecture seem like the perfect blend of my interests. However, my parents encouraged me to pursue something more practical, leading me to structural engineering. I soon discovered that this field beautifully combined my artistic inclinations with my technical abilities.
I studied structural engineering in Serbia, completed a five-year program, and later earned my master’s degree while working in Germany. During my studies, I participated in competitions, achieving second place in an architectural contest. These experiences deepened my appreciation for the beauty of well-designed buildings as true forms of artistic expression.
For the first six years of my career, I worked in Serbia and Germany as a structural engineer. However, in 1998, I made the bold decision to move to Botswana as a single mother with two young children, aged four and six. I approached this move with excitement and trepidation, determined to build a better life for us.
Unfortunately, my first experience in Botswana was a setback when my employer, a Nigerian company, stopped paying my salary. This pushed me to start my own business, an intimidating but necessary step. Fortunately, my reputation in Botswana’s close-knit community opened new doors. I remained persistent and kept a positive outlook, trusting in the goodness of others despite the challenges.
Building connections in Botswana came naturally to me. My children’s private school helped me form friendships, and I met more people through tennis and golf. These social circles led to invitations to private parties where I met potential clients.
Despite these connections, I faced significant difficulties with clients who refused to pay for my work—both local clients and fellow Serbians. Ironically, my biggest hurdle wasn’t being a white, foreign female structural engineer, but rather getting paid for my hard work.
As I advanced in my career and became an employer, I often found myself as the only woman in meetings or on large projects. There were moments when my opinions were disregarded, or I faced disrespect due to my gender. Rather than letting this discourage me, I used it as motivation to excel and prove myself.
In 2006, I remarried and began working on several exciting projects in Dubai, including Masdar City, the world’s first carbon-free city. In 2011, I moved to Australia, where I worked on major projects in mining, oil, gas, and bridge construction. Currently, I’m involved in building an underwater tunnel.
Aside from engineering, art has always been essential to my life. Over the years, I’ve participated in exhibitions and sold my designs globally. For my birthday, my children gave me a touching gift—they took the stories I had written for them as children, translated them into English, and bound them into a book, complete with my illustrated art. This gesture meant the world to me. During the COVID pandemic, my son encouraged me to write a children’s book. Inspired by my stories, I published two children’s books featuring my illustrations and plan to write more.
Despite my busy life as a structural engineer, artist, and author, I maintain an active lifestyle, enjoying tennis, stand-up paddleboarding, and salsa dancing.
To young women entering male-dominated fields, I offer this advice: stay true to yourself. Be strong without compromising your identity, and always respect yourself and others. Speaking up when something is wrong is crucial, as both men and women can struggle with this. Authenticity is essential, especially in environments that may expect conformity.
Looking back, I realize my journey has been one of courage and determination. I strive to be a role model for my children, showing them that despite the obstacles we face, we can rise above them and create a life filled with art, love, and stories. I embrace my identity as a superwoman—one who thrives in the face of adversity.
