An Interview with Nathalia Bastos
Brought to you by the AACE Women in Project Controls Committee
About Nathalia Bastos
From her beginnings in Rio de Janeiro to her leadership of complex industrial projects, Nathalia Bastos has built a career defined by resilience, adaptability, and a passion for project controls. With a degree in environmental engineering, international study in France, and postgraduate training in industrial administration, occupational safety, and megaprojects, Nathalia has developed deep technical expertise across the chemical, agribusiness, and nutrition industries.
Now serving as engineering manager at Corbion, she oversees project portfolios that drive innovation and growth in Brazil’s expanding bioprocess and nutrition sectors. Certified as a PMP, IPMA Level D, and Scrum PSM I, and actively pursuing AACE’s CCP certification, she is committed to advancing excellence in project management and cost engineering. Her journey reflects a dedication to learning, mentorship, and paving the way for more women in project controls.
Interview
What inspired you to pursue a career in project controls?
Growing up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I was surrounded by strong influences of engineering and invention. My father, an engineer, and my grandfather, a natural tinkerer with his own workshop, inspired my love for problem-solving and technical challenges. I initially pursued environmental engineering at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), followed by an exchange program in hydraulic engineering in Toulouse, France. Over time, my passion shifted toward industrial and capital projects, where I could combine technical knowledge with management, people skills, and measurable results. The attraction was clear: every project is unique, challenging, and an opportunity to deliver something impactful.
Tell us about your professional journey.
After graduating, I began my career through a trainee program at Shell, rotating across departments before choosing to focus on continuous improvement and Lean Six Sigma initiatives. That exposure broadened my understanding of business operations and sharpened my interest in capital projects.
Over the past decade, I’ve worked in the chemical, fertilizer, nutrition, and bioprocess industries. I’ve managed brownfield expansions, Industry 4.0 initiatives, and complex projects that require coordination across process, civil, mechanical, electrical, and automation disciplines. These experiences taught me that project success depends not only on execution but also on robust project controls — cost analysis, scheduling, estimating, and risk management.
Today, I serve as the engineering manager at Corbion, a Dutch multinational in the nutrition sector. In this role, I oversee the project portfolio for one of Corbion’s Brazilian manufacturing sites, ensuring our multidisciplinary teams deliver safe, timely, cost-effective, and high-quality results.
What aspects of project controls do you find most important?
For me, project controls are indispensable. Cost analysis, forecasting, and scheduling form the backbone of project execution. Weekly schedule updates help track trends and identify risks early. I also emphasize risk analysis in every expansion project because risks directly influence both costs and timelines.
I’ve always believed it’s impossible to manage a project successfully without strong controls. They provide visibility, guide decision-making, and ensure accountability. Even now, in my new role as engineering manager, I’m working to implement broader portfolio-level controls to ensure a clear view across multiple projects.
What mentors have shaped your career?
I’ve been fortunate to learn from more experienced colleagues throughout my journey. Many of them — site veterans, contract administrators, and construction leaders took me under their wing and guided me through complex technical and managerial challenges. Most of my mentors were men, reflecting the gender imbalance in Brazil’s engineering and industrial sectors. But their willingness to share knowledge helped me grow.
Today, I see mentorship as part of my own responsibility. I want to create space for more women in engineering and project management, ensuring that the next generation has role models to look up to.
How has AACE supported your professional growth?
AACE has been instrumental in providing frameworks and best practices that strengthen my work. I regularly apply Recommended Practices, such as cost estimate classification systems, to ensure the credibility of estimates and to justify decisions to stakeholders. These references help me explain why certain percentages or contingencies are included, grounding my decisions in global standards.
The networking has also been invaluable. Whether through webinars, local events, or WhatsApp groups, exchanging ideas with other professionals has provided real-world solutions and broadened my perspective. This year, I was invited to join AACE’s Women in Project Controls Committee, which has been a powerful experience. Connecting with women around the world has highlighted the gender gap in our profession but also inspired me to help close it.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in project controls?
Early in my career, one of the toughest challenges was earning credibility. At 28, I was responsible for managing contractors and field teams, many of whom were older men who doubted my abilities because of my age and gender. Gaining their trust wasn’t easy, but persistence, competence, and results ultimately earned their respect.
I believe things are changing — more women are entering project controls and project management in Brazil and beyond — but the pace needs to be faster. That’s why visibility and representation matter so much.
What do you see as the role of women in project controls?
Women bring unique strengths: organization, empathy, communication, and the ability to balance complex priorities. In multidisciplinary and high-pressure environments, these qualities are invaluable. We not only contribute to technical excellence but also foster collaboration and inclusivity, which are critical to project success.
Any words of inspiration for those entering the field?
First, understand what truly drives you — and pursue it with intention. Career paths are rarely linear, and it’s okay to make changes if they better align with your passions and personality.
Second, connect with others. Networking accelerates growth and keeps you up to date as project controls evolve with digital tools and data-driven practices.
Finally, don’t let underrepresentation discourage you. If there aren’t many women in your field, be the one who steps forward. Be visible, be excellent, and create opportunities for others. That’s how we inspire the next generation to believe they belong here, too.