For Edith Ivanova, life changed in profound ways when she emigrated from South Africa to Australia seven years ago. Having built a successful career in IT, she arrived with a wealth of ambition but also a newfound purpose.
"When I had my son, my entire perspective shifted. I didn’t want the rat race anymore. I wanted meaning, balance, and presence,” shares Edith. “I stepped back to move forward differently."
Shortly after settling in Australia, Edith joined UGL as a subcontracts specialist — a title that has remained steady, though her role has constantly evolved. Over her six years with UGL, Edith has brought her distinctive blend of financial acumen and people-centric leadership to diverse teams across the company, most recently for our industrial and resources east team.
But balance hasn't meant slowing down. Edith has stepped into roles of influence — both formally and informally across procurement, Aboriginal engagement, and mentorship.
"I’ve acted as a bridge,” explains Edith. “Connecting our Indigenous engagement manager with our team, guiding new recruits, and sharing knowledge that’s been built through years of experience."
Through internal programs like Women@UGL and the Emerging Female Leaders Program, Edith has also empowered the next generation of women in leadership.
"We share, we learn, and we inspire one another,” says Edith. “It’s incredibly powerful to be reminded of past leadership lessons while gaining new insights from my peers."
She also believes in inclusivity, especially in conversations around gender equality and has stepped forward to be an ally for the UGL pride network.
"International Women’s Day is important — but what’s more important is the support of the men in the room,” explains Edith. “Allies like my manager Calvin Swain, who openly supports women in our business, amplifies our voices and helps our value be recognised."
In 2024, UGL launched its Gender Equality Action Plan, a three-year strategy towards a more gender-balanced workforce. Edith is proud to be part of a workplace where real action backs inspiring words.
Whether she's reviewing contracts, mentoring new employees, or walking through a power station outage to gain firsthand understanding of site realities, Edith brings her full self to everything she does.
