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Symal Project Engineer, Alex Holman, has been named the winner of the 2026 NAWIC Victoria Young Achiever Award, recognising her work on major infrastructure projects, the way she leads and supports her team and the growing impact she’s making across the industry.
The Young Achiever Award recognises women aged 30 or under who are making their mark across construction, property and infrastructure sectors through their work, leadership and involvement in the industry. Alex's career journey and contribution to date made her a standout recipient.
Since joining Symal as an undergraduate engineer in 2019, Alex has progressed quickly, contributing to the success of major projects including the Pakenham Roads Upgrade and the Suburban Rail Loop. She recently completed Symal’s Emerging Leaders Program and received a Make Excellence Yours Performance Award in 2026.
A key part of her nomination was her contribution to Work Package 3 of the $108 million Pakenham Roads Upgrade. As Project Engineer, she planned and led the delivery of a major intersection, combining technical expertise with thoughtful planning and a strong focus on reducing disruption for the local community.
Reflecting on her win, Alex said:
“I was pleasantly surprised to win the award. I’ve been nominated for NAWIC awards a few times previously and to finally win one is a great result. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from some great people at Symal and I’m grateful for all the support I’ve had along the way.”
Chelsea Seville, Alex’s manager, said her achievement was well deserved.
“Alex is a very talented engineer who brings a thoughtful, considered approach to everything she does. She combines strong technical capability with a genuine willingness to learn, collaborate and support the people around her. Her contribution to the Pakenham Roads Upgrade was a great example of what she’s capable of, particularly under pressure. We’re lucky to have her on the team, and it’s fantastic to see her recognised through these awards. I’m excited to see what she achieves next.”
Alongside her technical expertise, Alex is known for her calm leadership and ability to bring clients, subcontractors and project teams together around practical solutions. She mentors graduate engineers, keeps her team’s wellbeing front of mind and is passionate about encouraging more women to build careers in construction.
Alex's journey reflects what's possible when people are given opportunities to learn, take on new challenges and grow their careers. From undergraduate engineer to award-winning Project Engineer, she's made the most of every opportunity while continuing to support those around her.
We're also proud of Tori Kellett, Team Leader at Wamarra, who received a commendation in the Tradesperson or Apprentice Award, along with fellow finalists Chelsea Seville, Ronja Kraus and Rebecca Somerville, whose work continues to raise the bar across our Group.
Read about Tori’s commendation here and the fellow finalists here.
Thank you to NAWIC Victoria for a night celebrating excellence across our industry. Congratulations again, Alex. We’re proud to have you on the team.
