With a Master’s in Civil Engineering (MEng), Savanna-Réi has delivered major infrastructure projects across the London Underground network, developing a reputation for blending technical excellence with emotional intelligence. Her work across the transport and engineering sector has connected her with organisations including Transport for London, Network Rail, Balfour Beatty, Keolis, and the Permanent Way Institution, where she has contributed both as an engineer and as a speaker shaping conversations around culture, inclusion, and leadership. Savanna-Réi’s has served as a British Transport Police Special Constable, working on the frontline of public safety and strengthening her belief that trust and empathy are fundamental to leadership. As a qualified teacher (PGCE), she has also worked with young people to transform their confidence and academic outcomes, helping students turn GCSE grades from Ds to As, while opening their eyes to the opportunities available in STEM. As a neurodivergent thinker and being part of the 1% of Black females in the engineering industry in the UK, Savanna-Réi’s journey has not always been straightforward. She has experienced the realities of bias, pay inequality, and burnout because the industry is still grappling with representation and equity.
Over time, the pressure to constantly prove her credibility began to affect her health, a moment that forced her to reflect on what kind of workplaces we are truly building. That breaking point became her breakthrough. From that moment, The People’s Engineer was born as a movement rooted in empathy, empowerment, and equity. Savanna-Réi made a commitment to speak openly about the challenges many people face but rarely discuss, using her voice to ensure others feel seen, heard, and supported. Today, she delivers impactful keynotes and workshops that shift mindsets and spark meaningful conversation. She has spoken to more than 3,000 professionals and students, inspiring audiences from apprentices and early-career professionals to senior leaders. Her work has been recognised through her nomination as a finalist in
Transport for London’s “You Matter” Awards for both Individual Diversity & Inclusion and People’s Choice, celebrating her influence in driving awareness, wellbeing, and belonging across the transport industry. Savanna Réi regularly speaks at corporate events, STEM initiatives, and schools, where she combines vulnerability with practical insight to help people build resilience, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Her talks empower individuals to adopt “can-do” mindsets, recognise their value, and challenge outdated norms that limit progress.
Her mission is clear: to empower the next generation, particularly those who may not yet see themselves represented, to pursue careers in STEM, and to support organisations in retention and building cultures where differences are valued. For Savanna-Rei, engineering has never been just about concrete or steel. It is about connection, courage, and creating a world where people are stronger than the infrastructure they build.
