We are proud to announce that Astrid van der Laan, Principal Computational Designer at Zutari, has been named the 2025 Extraordinary Woman in BIM, a prestigious recognition proudly sponsored by Autodesk and Baker Baynes.

This award honours women who are leading innovation, driving digital transformation, and inspiring others in the built environment through the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and cutting-edge technology. Astrid emerged as this year’s winner for her outstanding technical achievements, strategic mindset, and her commitment to empowering teams through smarter workflows.

Transforming the Built Environment Through Collaboration and Innovation

At Zutari, Astrid has played a pivotal role in developing computational design workflows that bridge the gap between disciplines, driving project delivery forward. One of her most notable accomplishments includes co-developing a workflow that helped deliver 16 bridges in just eight weeks, a system that has been adopted on multiple projects across Africa.

Leveraging the power of the Autodesk Architecture, Engineering & Construction Collection, Astrid combines creativity with clarity, making complex digital processes accessible to broader project teams. She’s not only solving problems, she’s enabling others to do the same.

“If you come to work every day and you know exactly what you need to do, then I’ve achieved something,” Astrid shared in her finalist interview, a reflection of her people-first, systems-thinking approach to BIM.

Honouring the Top 3 Finalists

While Astrid claimed the top honour, we’re proud also to celebrate the two other exceptional women who made it to the Top 3 in this year’s competition:

Anien Nauta, Senior BIM Manager & Model Coordinator at AECOM, is recognised for her strong focus on architectural design and her hands-on approach to BIM management across complex building projects. With a deep understanding of model coordination and information flow, Anien ensures that design intent is clearly communicated and consistently delivered across multidisciplinary teams. Her passion for accuracy, process, and training has made her a trusted leader in elevating BIM practices within the architectural space.

Elna van der Merwe, Engineering Digital Manager at DRA Global, is recognised for her leadership in advancing digital practices across large-scale industrial and mining projects. With a focus on implementation, model coordination, and multidisciplinary integration, Elna plays a key role in aligning global engineering teams through BIM workflows. Her ability to drive digital adoption while supporting local teams has made her a standout champion for practical, people-driven digital transformation.

All three women exemplify what it means to be extraordinary in BIM, combining innovation with influence to elevate the industry.

What’s Next for Our 2025 Winner

As the 2025 winner, Astrid receives an all-expenses-paid trip to Autodesk University in Nashville, USA, where she’ll connect with global thought leaders in design, engineering, and construction. This international opportunity, sponsored by Autodesk and Baker Baynes, celebrates her contribution to digital transformation in South Africa.

“I am extremely excited to be attending AU in Nashville, USA, in person this year. While virtual passes have provided valuable access to cutting-edge conversations in the AEC space, nothing compares to the energy of being there in person. Connecting face-to-face with fellow industry professionals, exchanging ideas, and experiencing innovation first-hand.

There is a unique momentum that builds through live lectures, hands-on activation events, and the many social and networking events AU offers. I am especially keen to see the latest developments from Autodesk and return to my team with fresh insights, inspired and motivated to raise the BIM tide,” says Astrid.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 competition saw an overwhelming number of entries, each one highlighting the incredible talent, resilience, and impact of women across the built environment. To every nominee, thank you for sharing your journey. The selection process was no easy task, and if you weren’t selected this year, we encourage you to enter again in 2026.

Together, we’re building a stronger, brighter, more inclusive future, one extraordinary woman at a time.