“Collaboration and empowerment drive innovation.”
Sheeba Benny’s leadership style is rooted in collaboration, empowerment, and a steadfast commitment to innovation. With over 33 years of senior-level experience in electrical and ELV engineering, she has consistently fostered environments that prioritize transparency, respect, and excellence. These values enable her teams to thrive, feel valued, and exceed expectations.
Throughout her career, principles such as integrity, adaptability, and sustainability have guided her approach. Working in the Middle East, Sheeba aligns her leadership with the region’s aspirations for sustainable development, inclusivity, and technological advancement. By balancing personal values with professional responsibilities, she continues to drive impactful and transformative outcomes. Her leadership philosophy is a testament to the power of fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.
Leadership Style and Principles
Sheeba’s leadership style is characterized by collaboration, empowerment, and a steadfast commitment to innovation. “With over 33 years of senior-level experience in electrical and ELV engineering, I have consistently fostered environments that prioritize transparency, respect, and excellence.” These values enable her teams to thrive, feel valued, and exceed expectations. Throughout her career, principles such as integrity, adaptability, and sustainability have guided her approach.
A Pivotal Career Moment
A defining moment in Sheeba’s career was leading the Iran Mall project, one of the world’s largest commercial developments. “As the project’s Lead Electrical Engineer, this experience not only expanded my professional capabilities but also reinforced my confidence in managing complex, large-scale projects.” Faced with intricate challenges such as multidisciplinary coordination, stringent international compliance, and tight deadlines, she adopted advanced problem-solving strategies and innovative methodologies.
By fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability, Sheeba successfully guided the project to completion, meeting all objectives while exceeding quality benchmarks. This milestone served as a catalyst, propelling her career toward new opportunities and solidifying her expertise in delivering transformative projects. It underscores the power of resilience, adaptability, and teamwork in achieving long-term professional success.
Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to Sheeba’s professional philosophy. In a culturally diverse region like the Middle East, she actively advocates for inclusive environments that celebrate varied perspectives and drive innovation. Her memberships with organizations such as Women in Lighting + Design (WILD), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and the UAE Society of Engineers reinforce this commitment.
Through mentorship programs, Sheeba provides guidance to aspiring engineers, bridging gaps and creating equitable opportunities for growth. By fostering open dialogue and mutual respect, she aims to drive meaningful change and empower underrepresented voices in engineering. Her dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion is evident in her efforts to create a more equitable and innovative industry.
Building High-Performance Teams
Building high-performance teams requires trust, clear communication, and a shared vision for excellence. During the DEWA Solar Park, VET Hospital, and other major projects, She led multidisciplinary teams under stringent deadlines and resource constraints. Her leadership ensured seamless coordination across disciplines, timely issue resolution, and proactive stakeholder engagement.
This accomplishment highlighted her ability to inspire teams, address challenges effectively, and maintain focus on overarching goals. It reinforced her belief in the transformative power of collaboration and empowerment. Sheeba’s approach to team building emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive and collaborative environment where every team member can contribute to their fullest potential.
A Proud Success Story
Being recognized as “Engineer of the Year” at the Construction Week Awards Middle East 2024 and being shortlisted for “Electrical Engineer of the Year” at the MEP Middle East Awards 2024 are among Sheeba Benny’s proudest achievements. These accolades underscore her dedication to advancing engineering practices and her contributions to transformative projects such as the Iran Mall, DEWA Solar Park, ADAFSA VET Hospital & & ADFH Falcon Hospital, and others.
Achieving these milestones required navigating complex workplace dynamics, ensuring regulatory compliance, and staying ahead of industry trends. They serve as a testament to her perseverance, commitment to excellence, and passion for innovation. Sheeba’s recognition in the industry highlights her impact and influence as a leader in engineering.
Navigating the Region’s Transformations
The Middle East’s rapid transformations demand forward-thinking leadership. Staying ahead involves embracing digital transformation, sustainability, and smart technologies. Sheeba Benny’s professional certifications—including LEED AP (BD+C), DM / DMT Approved Engineer, WELL AP, WiredScore AP, SmartScore AP, EDGE Expert, CEPSS-HC, PMP, CAPM, LEED AP (O+M), and DIALux Certified Expert—equip her to integrate these advancements into projects, ensuring they align with regional priorities.
By adopting cutting-edge methodologies and maintaining a client-centric approach, she positions her work at the forefront of the industry’s evolution, contributing to the region’s sustainable growth. Sheeba’s ability to navigate and lead through these transformations showcases her adaptability and forward-thinking mindset.
Empowering the Next Generation
Mentorship is a cornerstone of Sheeba professional journey. “Through active engagement in professional organizations and teaching roles, I create platforms for young engineers to thrive. By sharing my experiences and emphasizing lifelong learning, I try to inspire the next generation to embrace challenges and pursue excellence.” Fostering curiosity, providing hands-on experience, and promoting inclusivity are key components of her mentorship approach.
These efforts aim to cultivate a new wave of leaders who will drive the Middle East’s engineering and infrastructure sectors forward. Sheeba’s commitment to mentorship reflects her dedication to nurturing future talent and ensuring the continued growth and success of the industry.
Balancing Tradition and Innovation
The Middle East’s cultural richness coexists with its aspirations for modernity. Sheeba’s work bridges this balance by integrating energy-efficient and smart solutions into designs that honor traditional architectural values. For instance, she has implemented innovative lighting systems that preserve heritage while embracing sustainability.
This approach not only respects cultural contexts but also supports the region’s sustainable growth, showcasing that tradition and innovation can coexist harmoniously. Her ability to blend tradition with modernity in her projects highlights her respect for cultural heritage while driving forward-looking solutions.
Industry Trends and Opportunities
The engineering industry is undergoing transformative changes, with trends such as digitalization, renewable energy, and smart technologies taking center stage. Leveraging Building Information Modeling (BIM), advanced analytics, and sustainable design principles, Sheeba integrates intelligent systems into projects to address these trends.
Her dedication to continuous learning ensures that she remains agile and adaptive, equipping her to lead initiatives that capitalize on emerging opportunities and maintain a competitive edge in a dynamic sector. Sheeba’s proactive approach to industry trends positions her as a leader who is always ready to embrace new challenges and opportunities.
Vision for the Middle East by 2030
Sheeba’s vision for the Middle East is for it to emerge as a global leader in sustainable and smart infrastructure development. By championing innovative solutions, mentoring future leaders, and driving policies that prioritize environmental stewardship, she aims to contribute to this transformation.
“By 2030, I aspire to leave a legacy of impactful projects that reflect the region’s aspirations while inspiring others to push boundaries.” Her unwavering commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and sustainability will guide her contributions to a thriving, forward-looking Middle East. Sheeba’s vision for the future underscores her dedication to making a lasting impact on the region and the industry.
