Engineering a career: Winnie Lai’s inspiring story

Career transitions rarely follow a straight line, especially when moving from technical roles into leadership positions. For many engineering professionals, the path from project management to strategic business development can seem daunting. However, with the right support and organizational culture, these transitions can become opportunities for remarkable professional growth.

Meet Winnie Lai, Business Manager for Asia, whose career exemplifies how engineers can successfully evolve their roles while maintaining a strong technical foundation. In her position, Winnie oversees the strategic development and operations of the Asia region, driving company growth through innovative business strategies and operational excellence. While she also leads efforts to secure new projects as part of the Win Work function, her role encompasses much more, focusing on broader strategic initiatives and organizational change management. Recently elected as Vice Chairperson of the Institution of Civil Engineers Hong Kong Association (ICE HKA) in 2025, Winnie's career trajectory highlights the potential for engineering professionals to expand their impact through leadership, determination, and strategic thinking. Her story offers valuable lessons for anyone aspiring to balance technical expertise with impactful business leadership.

From technical focus to strategic vision

Winnie's professional journey began in a familiar place for many engineers: managing government projects with a strong technical focus. Her initial role centered on project execution, requiring technical input, stakeholder coordination, and ensuring deliverables met both timeline and scope requirements. This foundation provided essential skills that would later prove invaluable in her leadership transition.

The shift toward strategic thinking didn't happen overnight. As Winnie gained experience in project management, she developed a growing interest in the broader commercial and strategic aspects of engineering work. This curiosity led her to pursue an MBA while continuing her full-time engineering responsibilities, a decision that would fundamentally reshape her career trajectory.

The MBA experience broadened Winnie's perspective significantly, introducing her to business strategy, financial management, and organizational leadership principles. This educational foundation enabled her to gradually take on responsibilities in business development, bridging the gap between her technical expertise and commercial acumen. Her evolution demonstrates how engineers can leverage their analytical skills and project management experience as stepping stones toward leadership roles.

Organizational support makes the difference

One of the most remarkable aspects of Winnie's story is the consistent support she received throughout her career transition. While pursuing her part-time MBA, senior leadership and colleagues showed understanding and flexibility, particularly during exam periods and class schedules. This accommodation reflects a company culture that genuinely invests in employee development.

The support extended beyond academic pursuits. When Winnie expressed interest in business development early in her engineering career, AtkinsRéalis provided opportunities for cross-functional collaboration. These experiences gave her valuable exposure to different aspects of the business, helping her understand the career path she wanted to pursue. Rather than requiring her to figure everything out independently, the team actively facilitated her exploration of new roles and responsibilities.

Perhaps most significantly, when Winnie decided to fully transition into business management, the organization supported this career pivot. This kind of internal mobility demonstrates a workplace that recognizes and nurtures talent, allowing employees to grow in directions that align with their evolving interests and skills.

Professional development beyond company walls

Winnie's involvement with the Institution of Civil Engineers Hong Kong Association represents another dimension of professional growth that AtkinsRéalis actively encourages. Her recent election as Vice Chairperson reflects both her professional standing and the company's commitment to supporting employees' industry leadership roles.

This external professional development creates a positive cycle. Winnie's industry involvement enhances her expertise and network, which ultimately benefits her work performance and the organization's reputation. The company's encouragement of such activities demonstrates sophisticated thinking about professional development, recognizing that supporting employees' growth in professional communities strengthens both individual careers and organizational capabilities.

Mastering work-life integration

Balancing multiple commitments, full-time work, MBA studies, and professional association leadership requires exceptional organizational skills and supportive workplace policies. Winnie manages this integration through careful planning and open communication with her team about scheduling needs and commitments.

The company's flexible culture enables this kind of work-life balance by allowing employees to plan ahead during particularly busy periods. Whether dealing with exam schedules, professional development activities, or industry commitments, the organization's understanding approach makes balance achievable rather than stressful.

Winnie emphasizes the importance of honest communication about scheduling and commitments. This transparency, combined with the team's understanding nature, creates an environment where employees can pursue ambitious professional goals without sacrificing work quality or personal well-being.

Join our team of future leaders

Winnie's inspiring journey from engineering to leadership exemplifies the kind of career growth possible within our organization. We believe in supporting our employees' professional development through flexible policies, cross-functional opportunities, and encouragement of industry involvement. If you're an ambitious engineering professional looking for an environment where you can grow, contribute, and lead, we'd love to hear from you. Discover how you can build your own inspiring career story by exploring exciting opportunities at AtkinsRéalis.