To mark International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating women who inspire at LA Recruitment and our sister company First People Solutions! We sat down with two women who hold senior positions at both LA Recruitment and FPS.

Meet our Ladies
Suzanne Leaf – Director at LA Recruitment with over 10 years of experience across multiple industry sectors, including Energy, Engineering, IT & Infrastructure, Professional Services and Life Sciences

Debbie Riva – Senior Recruitment Consultant with over four years of experience, specialising in Civil & Structural Design Engineering.

We asked them…
What attracted you to your industry?

S: I’ve always been adventurous and had a desire to live overseas, I’m very much a people person.  Working in recruitment allowed me to share my experiences of moving abroad, it’s life changing and rewarding but also has its challenges. Taking opportunities to individuals who may have never considered a move before and helping them to make this life changing decision is still my favourite part of the job.

D: I started my recruitment career at a large American firm, working across multiple sectors. While I gained valuable experience, I felt I hadn’t found my niche. I’ve always been drawn to recruitment because I love helping people find opportunities that genuinely excite them. However, I knew I needed the right environment to really thrive. A friend passed my CV to Scott, the Director at FPS, and that same day, I got a call—followed by an interview the next week. From the moment I met the team, I knew FPS was where I belonged. Since joining the Construction team and specialising in the consulting engineering market, I’ve found my passion, and I couldn’t be happier in my role!

In the early stages of your career, did you have a female role model? Did she help you see a future in your role?

S: I’ve had both male & female roles models throughout my career, I’ve watched, learned and listened and applied what works for me.

D: In the early stages of my recruitment career, I didn’t have a female role model who truly guided or supported me. In fact, it wasn’t until I had a male manager that I finally received the mentorship and encouragement I needed to grow and succeed. That experience showed me the importance of strong leadership—regardless of gender. What mattered most was having someone who genuinely invested in my development, challenged me, and gave me the confidence to progress in my career.

Do you think there’s a gender imbalance in your industry? Have you seen a shift over the years?

S: There is a gender imbalance in Doha just down to the number of male vs female in the country.  There are more females in leadership positions now than there was many years ago. Being one of the few female leaders in my industry in this geographical location, I’ve always naturally stood out and been a bit different.

D: I don’t believe there’s a gender imbalance in recruitment, as there are many highly successful female recruiters who are thriving in the industry. However, I do think there are times when our experience isn’t always met with the same level of confidence as our male counterparts. That being said, I’ve noticed that women are often the ones turned to when a fresh perspective or innovative approach is needed, which speaks to the unique strengths we bring to the table.

What do you love most about being a female in your industry?

S: I love working with younger women, coaching, supporting and encouraging their growth in the company and industry.  Seeing them become successful is so rewarding for me.

D: Recruitment is fast-paced, competitive, and always evolving, and I love that it challenges me to be resilient and adaptable. Every day in recruitment is different. Women bring incredible multitasking skills and emotional intelligence to the table, which are key in managing the complexities of recruitment. It’s exciting to be in a field where those strengths are valued and make a real difference.

Our Commitment

LA Recruitment and FPS are dedicated to providing the right support for our employees to develop themselves and their careers.  We strive to provide a working environment free from discrimination, prejudice and all forms of harassment and bullying.  It is our policy to treat everyone as equals, irrespective of ethnicity, nationality, disability, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age or any other aspect.  We have a number of women in a range of senior positions at LA Recruitment and FPS are proud of our dedication to developing each and every one of our staff.  We celebrate our Women in recruitment not just on International Women’s Day – but every day!