"We're seeing the equipment, we're seeing the protective—we're not seeing the personal." – Katherine Evans, Founder of Bold as Brass

Jo Phillips is joined by Katherine Evans, founder of Bold as Brass, to talk about why personal protective equipment (PPE) is still failing women—and what we can do to fix it.

From ill-fitting safety gear to the invisible barriers women face in male-dominated industries, Katherine shares her powerful story of challenging the status quo in heavy industry and designing PPE that actually fits women's bodies, identities, and needs.

They explore how something as ‘practical’ as workwear can either protect or dehumanise—and why seeing the person behind the PPE is the first step to systemic change.

(02:10) – Katherine’s mission behind Bold as Brass

(03:40) – The problem with “unisex” PPE: when protection becomes exclusion

(07:20) – Why representation matters

(10:00) – PPE and the body: why gear designed for male frames puts others at risk

(14:25) – What does truly personal protective equipment look like?

(19:10) – Catherine on bringing her whole self to an industry that wasn’t built for her

(24:00) – The language of change: why words like “grit” and “resilience” just don’t cut it

(29:30) – Advice for women in male-dominated sectors

Katherine Evans is the founder of Bold as Brass, a Linkedin group designed to provide inclusive, dignified, and genuinely protective PPE for women and underrepresented groups in heavy industry.

Having worked in sectors where safety and identity are often compromised by one-size-fits-men gear, Katherine launched Bold as Brass to redefine what safety looks and feels like. She’s a passionate advocate for visibility, safety, and systemic change in workplaces where women have too often been treated as an afterthought.

Follow Katherine on LinkedIn

Join Bold as Brass

About your host: Jo Phillips

Jo coaches ambitious women like you to break through career barriers, own their worth, and finally get the career and salary they deserve. Through 1:1 coaching, Jo helps you identify what’s holding you back, to build an unapologetic strategy for success, cheerleading you every step of the way—because you already have what it takes. It’s time to stop waiting and start moving with audacity…

Connect with Jo:

Website: The Woman Behind The Women

Socials: Linkedin / Instagram: @thewomanbehindthewomen

'The Chat Womb' is hosted by Jo Phillips and proudly produced by Decibelle Creative: