At the heart of extraordinary construction projects that touch the sky and reshape cities across the world, you'll find an equally extraordinary team of engineers. In the traditionally male-dominated world of engineering, one woman has made waves in the industry, breaking boundaries, defying stereotypes, and building structures that stand tall and proud. In this issue, we take a closer look at the remarkable career of Yao Lee Lee, Director for Meinhardt Cambodia and Meinhardt Singapore, a driving force in our organisation, a trailblazer in the industry, and a true testament to the resilience, determination and excellence that women bring to the world of engineering.
This is the inspiring story of Lee Lee, a story that transcends traditional norms of gender roles.
Hailing from a family that could not afford her higher education despite her excellent academic performance, she made the bold and conscious decision to pursue a diploma in Production Engineering at Singapore Polytechnic in the 1970s, seeing it as a gateway into the workforce and a means to support her family. At the time, engineering was a popular subject, as Singapore was pursuing rapid development.
But it was an unconventional choice for a young woman from that era. And her path to success was fraught with difficulties.
When Lee Lee joined Singapore Polytechnic in the 1970s, she was the lone woman in a sea of male engineering students. Being the only woman in her class and the only woman on the project management table became a norm for Lee Lee. Yet, it never deterred her; rather, it fuelled her determination to prove her worth and skills.
She saw the field as a rewarding one which is aligned to her personality and inclinations, and will put her talent to work.
“I will say that being an engineer somehow suits my character. I like to be firm, think sensibly, and also have a good learning attitude. I worked very hard to overcome the technical problems, be well prepared for meetings and advise the project teams in all the right ways to gain their trust,” said Lee Lee.
She began working as an intern from her first year in polytechnic, making use of every school holiday to gain practical experience in an engineering consultancy firm. Starting as a drafter, she gradually climbed the ranks to engineer, then senior engineer, and so on.
She joined Meinhardt Singapore in 1991 and never looked back. Going from strength to strength, she established Meinhardt Cambodia in 2014.
She leads a team of 20 in Meinhardt Cambodia, overseeing grade A offices, hotels, residential and commercial retail spaces, data centres, and more. With the full support of her team, she continues to break new grounds in engineering design and supervision.
Along the way, Lee Lee faced a slew of challenges – from being the only woman on many project teams to balancing career and family.
“In the earlier days when my children were young, I worked until 7pm in the office, had dinner at home and continued to guide them with their homework before they went to bed. You need to have a very understanding spouse! I recall being very stressed at work between my 30s and 40s when I was juggling 15 projects. I had to take sleeping pills every night for over 10 years, and nearly had a breakdown. That was when I found peace and solace in my religion,” said Lee Lee.
“After my kids were grown, I could enjoy my own leisure time and play golf which is my passion! I have sacrificed all my time on my career and family until my late 50s. Nevertheless, I am very happy and derive great satisfaction from having a good reputation in my career, and seeing the projects that I have completed stand tall and proud,” she added.
With over 30 years of experience under her belt, Lee Lee has emerged as a pioneer, having worked on prominent projects across the globe, from Singapore to India, the Middle East, and Cambodia, among others. Her commitment to her projects and determination to see them completed was – and still is – unparalleled.
Today, she boasts a stellar portfolio with hundreds of global projects, ranging from commercial buildings, hotels, residential areas, and institutional spaces to industrial and sports complexes. These include iconic undertakings such as the Singapore Island Country Club redevelopment, the Aspire Mall in Qatar, the United Bank of Switzerland at Suntec City Tower, and the luxurious Pearl Continental Hotel in Tripoli, Libya, to name a few. Each project presents its challenges but the joy of witnessing a building, that is designed and handled by her, standing tall is, in her words, "real satisfaction for an engineer.”
Lee Lee's experiences as a woman in a largely male-dominated field have been instrumental in moulding her approach to leadership and mentorship. She is an advocate for women in engineering, and believes that more women should be encouraged to join the engineering field as they bring strong traits to the table and trade. However, she also acknowledges the challenges faced by women in juggling family commitments and a demanding career.
“Nowadays, we can see more ladies in the engineering field but still not as many as their male counterparts. Personally, I preferred to groom the female engineers as they are humble learners, display more endurance, and are meticulous in their work, and display unwavering loyalty. These qualities, in my view, make them excellent engineers. In my team, I have quite a number of female engineers who are progressing very well as my star engineers. One of them has been with me for 15 years and she knows every project at her fingertips. She can trace back records dating back many years. The only drawback is they need to take care of the family, and some may even need to quit their job to do so,” said Lee Lee.
She advocates for offering more scholarships to women and utilising marketing tools to raise awareness and inspire future female engineers. She also highlights the need for a supportive environment and a proper work-life balance.
Lee Lee’s story is a testament to the valuable and phenomenal contributions that women can make in engineering. Her relentless dedication, hard work, and drive for success serve as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring female engineers.
For women seeking to break into engineering, her advice is simple: Have passion for the field, be willing to learn, and be prepared to work long hours. The reward is a fulfilling and successful career in a field where you can literally shape the world around you.
“I believe working hard and thinking smart is the key to success,” said Lee Lee.
Meinhardt Group takes pride in having many female employees in significant roles, and fostering a culture of diversity, inclusivity and equality. With leaders like Lee Lee at the helm, we recognise the vital role that women play in engineering, and remain committed to creating opportunities and nurturing their talent.
