Summary

The International Tunnelling Association (ITA) plays a critical role in global infrastructure, ensuring clean water, sewage systems, and transport for millions while contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). But behind the technical achievements lies a deeper challenge—modernizing an industry traditionally dominated by European, American, and Australian professionals.

In this episode of NGO Soul + Strategy, I sit down with Arnold Dix, President of ITA, to discuss his iconoclastic leadership approach in making tunneling a more diverse and inclusive profession. Arnold has actively pushed for greater representation of women, people of color, and young engineers, challenging traditional power structures and advocating for regional voices.

As a leader in a global membership-based professional association, Arnold cannot mandate change—he must influence, persuade, and lead by example. What does it take to challenge entrenched norms, navigate resistance, and truly drive transformation? Listen in to find out.

Arnold's Bio

• President of the International Tunnelling Association (ITA), leading efforts to modernize and diversify the profession
• Lawyer, engineer, and scientist, bringing a multidisciplinary perspective to underground infrastructure development
• Champion for diversity in engineering, working to increase representation of women, young engineers, and professionals from non-Western regions
• Global infrastructure expert, contributing to sustainable underground solutions worldwide

We Discuss

• Reforming a global professional association: How Arnold has worked to decentralize power and amplify regional voices
• Breaking industry norms: Making tunneling less exclusive and more diverse, bringing in women, younger professionals, and engineers of color
• Leading without authority: The challenge of influencing rather than mandating change in a global membership-based association
• Managing resistance: How traditional power centers within the industry have responded to his leadership and reforms
• Lessons in delegation: What Arnold would do differently if he could start again
• The bigger picture: How underground infrastructure development supports global dignity and the UN SDGs

Quotes

“I am a change man.”

Resources

ITA-AITES

Arnold's Book

Connect with Arnold Dix on LinkedIn

Follow Arnold on Facbook 

'International man of mystery’ who saved men from Indian tunnel collapse | Australian Story

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