Mariette Smit is a pioneering South African commissioning engineer, technical program manager and quality assurance/control manager, and multi-award-winning sportswoman with over 30 years of experience in marine engineering, defence shipbuilding, power generation, and petrochemical industries.

She holds international qualifications in systems engineering, quality management, leadership, project management, and multiple marine engineering disciplines. Mariette is a professional member of RINA and SAIMENA, where she became the first woman in South Africa to pass the RINA professional panel interview and the first woman elected Honorary Secretary of SAIMENA after the association has been male dominated for 70 years..

Her career milestones include:

• First woman to serve as a lead commissioning engineer at a power station, oil and gas industry and first of class hydrographic survey vessel built in SA
• First civilian and woman honoured by the SA Navy with an engine named after her
• First woman to lead international commissioning system rollouts in France and Germany
• Leadership roles in SAS Amatola (F145), SAS Isandlwana (F146), and Hydrographic Survey Vessel projects

Mariette has consistently navigated male-dominated industries, breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes. She has had to adapt to environments where women were often underestimated, ensuring her success by remaining positive, resilient, and focused. For her, it has never been about being the first of any achievement, but about ensuring she is not the last — opening doors for other women to follow. Her leadership demonstrates how perseverance, credibility, and expertise can inspire the next generation of women in engineering and technical fields.