Gabriela Alexandru – A Model of Technical Leadership in Engineering and Construction
International Women in Engineering Day is celebrated annually on June 23. It was launched by the Women’s Engineering Society (United Kingdom)* to recognize and promote women’s contributions to technical fields. In a sector where men have traditionally been dominant for decades, this day draws attention to the potential and professional performance demonstrated by women in engineering.
At Ghallard Sys, excellence in technical leadership is exemplified by Gabriela Alexandru, Technical Director, a professional who has made a significant contribution to strengthening the organizational culture and quality standards in construction supervision.
Strategic Vision and Technical Coordination
Gabriela Alexandru built the company’s technical structure around four essential values: responsibility, respect, relevance and resilience. Under her leadership, rigorous continuous training programs have been implemented, particularly regarding the application of the requirements set out in Government Decision No. 1/2018 – an essential regulatory framework for managing public works contracts.
“My constant concern has been ensuring that the team has an in-depth understanding of the contractual framework in which we operate. A solid understanding of Supervision contracts carried out under Government Decision No. 1/2018 helps prevent mistakes and creates room for intelligent, proactive solutions.”
— Gabriela Alexandru, Technical Director
Her technical coordination has enabled the team to respond effectively to challenges such as funding delays, changes in investors or unforeseen situations on site. Through an analytical approach and close collaboration with the parties involved, Gabriela Alexandru has transformed these circumstances into scenarios for sustainable adaptation.
“When faced with any unexpected situation, I rely on clarity, balance and collective expertise. The successful completion of a project is the result of a cohesive team and rigorously managed processes.”
— Gabriela Alexandru
Promoting Inclusion and Developing Younger Generations
A defining aspect of her vision is active support for the professional development of young people. In partnership with the Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest (UTCB), Ghallard Sys offers annual practical training and internship programs, after which some participating students continue their collaboration with the company and become involved in projects relevant to their professional development.
“I am convinced that the future of the industry depends on our ability to educate and support younger generations. Training alone is not enough. Involvement is essential.”
— Gabriela Alexandru
This approach creates real opportunities for integrating the next generation of specialists and supporting diversity within supervision teams.
Data and Realities of Diversity
According to Eurostat data (2023), women represent approximately 41% of the science and engineering workforce in the European Union, but only around 22% work in industries such as construction**. In Romania, women account for approximately 42.5% of STEM graduates***, yet the number of women holding technical or decision-making roles in construction remains significantly lower.
At Ghallard Sys, diversity is directly reflected in our teams: out of a total of 36 specialists active in supervision, 15 are women – a proportion of more than 40%, significantly above the national average. This figure reinforces the organization’s commitment to inclusion and professional balance.
“I believe in a balance between competence, diversity and trust. A diverse team is more adaptable, more analytical and more empathetic in decision-making.”
— Gabriela Alexandru
Digital Transformation and Sustainability
As part of the modernization process, digitalization has been an essential strategic direction. Under the guidance of the Technical Director, the company implemented a digital platform that optimizes collaboration between teams, reduces document delivery times and contributes to the sustainability of the entire workflow by reducing paper consumption and, above all, shortening response times, thereby enabling faster correction or even prevention of potential errors.
“Digitalization has become essential for clarity, responsiveness and consistency in decision-making. It is the tool through which we turn information into actions with real impact.”
— Gabriela Alexandru
Future plans include adopting technologies based on artificial intelligence and drones for real-time monitoring of construction works and automated reporting.
A Consolidated Perspective
Gabriela Alexandru’s technical leadership demonstrates that professional expertise is validated through consistency, vision and the ability to build effective, motivated teams. Her work provides an authentic model of adaptive leadership in a field undergoing continuous transformation.
International Women in Engineering Day serves as an important occasion for recognizing women’s essential contributions to this field. At Ghallard Sys, these principles are more than aspirations – they are realities that shape our projects and help shape the future of Romania’s infrastructure.
Footnotes
* Women’s Engineering Society – www.wes.org.uk, founder of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED).
** Eurostat (2023), “Women in science and engineering – Statistics Explained”, ec.europa.eu/eurostat.
*** European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), Gender Statistics Database, STEM graduates by gender (2021).