Women in Project Controls Spotlight: Cynthia Gomes
An Interview with Cynthia Gomes
Brought to you by the AACE Women in Project Controls Committee
What inspired you to pursue a career in project controls?
Like many of us in this profession, I didn’t choose project controls, project controls chose me. Early in my career, moving from my computer programmer role, I started working in an EPC environment and was tasked with producing a monthly financial report that consistently came out in the red. After a few months, I couldn’t accept that as the status quo. I started talking with project managers, engineers and support teams to understand what was truly happening. I realized there was no baseline, no planned dates, no integration of scope or execution logic, just raw actuals, disconnected from the reality of the project.
Once I began engaging with the stakeholder and pulling in that missing information, my reports shifted into the black. Soon, others wanted to learn what I was doing differently. That was the moment I stepped, unknowingly, into the world of project controls. It aligned perfectly with everything I loved, numbers, planning, cost, logic, structure and solving problems that matter.
Tell us about your early life and what shaped your perspective.
I was born and raised in Malaysia, a country vibrant in culture, rich in diversity and fueled by energy, resilience and of course the melting pot for food. I grew up in a family of formidable matriarchs: my grandmothers, mother, aunts and cousins were (and still are) incredibly empowered women. They ran businesses, built careers, managed households, and led with confidence and grit. They were self-made C-suite executives long before I even knew what that meant, including remarkable Chefs!
From them, I learned early that I alone could shape the narrative of what I could achieve. Limits were never imposed, so if I ever created any, they were mine to dismantle. That belief applied to everyone in our family, regardless of gender.
My worldview widened even further when I pursued my MBA at Strathclyde Business School in Glasgow, Scotland. That experience and the global alumni community I became part of, expanded my perspective enormously. It strengthened my confidence as a professional woman navigating international business landscapes and affirmed my belief in lifelong learning.
My foundation, my upbringing, my education and my faith, shaped a simple conviction:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
That belief is my anchor.
And “Do it once, do it proper but keep it simple” is my mantra.
What has your professional journey looked like across industries and regions?
My career has taken me across multiple industries and roles, from computer programming, power generation, oil and gas, water resources, education, marketing, communications to eventually enterprise project performance software and asset lifecycle intelligence.
I’ve also worked across multiple regions including Southeast Asia, Europe and North America. Each environment challenged me to adapt quickly, learn deeply and lead with empathy. One of the most pivotal moments in my career was relocating to Canada, where I re-entered project controls in the oil and gas sector. That experience sharpened and strengthened my technical skillset and my ability to operate in highly complex, predominantly male environments.
What is your current role and focus today?
I am an Executive Industry Consultant with Octave (formerly Hexagon Asset Lifecycle Intelligence), working across the full project, portfolio and asset lifecycle. As a trusted advisor, I help organizations understand their business processes and technology landscape to improve investment visibility and performance.
I specialize in enterprise performance solutions like Sequence Enterprise (formerly EcoSys), bridging project controls best practices with real-world execution and digital transformation. While no longer producing month-end cost reports, my decades-long foundation in project controls continues to inform my work, alongside continual learning that broadens my perspective both professionally and personally.
Who have been the most influential mentors in your life?
If I had to choose one true influence, it would be my mother. She always told me she would accept whatever my best was, but it had to truly be my utmost best. “I could have done better” was never an acceptable excuse. That mindset shaped my discipline, resilience and work ethic.
Beyond my family, I’ve been blessed with many informal mentors throughout my career. From leaders who challenged me, taught me to care about accuracy and modeled integrity to learning cultural diplomacy in executive environments. I am who I am today, in total gratitude to each mentor who played a significant role in my life. And as life would have it, I am still learning with people that surround me and people I choose to surround myself with.
What has your experience with AACE been like?
My first exposure to AACE was at the 2016 International Conference in Toronto, which opened my eyes to the depth of knowledge and community within the organization. Later, through my work with Octave, (previously Hexagon) as both a speaker and exhibitor, my involvement deepened significantly.
I became actively involved with the Calgary-Chinook Chapter, where I now serve on the board with a strong focus on student and rising professional engagement. I believe deeply in nurturing future generations in our profession and AACE gives us the perfect platform to do that.
How has AACE added value to your professional development?
AACE has given me both a voice and a vehicle to empower others. It provides access to world-class recommended practices, certifications, conferences, leadership opportunities, and professional networks. I’ve benefited from receiving knowledge and I’m equally committed to giving back through mentorship, speaking opportunities and service. To me, AACE represents both learning and leadership at the same time.
What is your perspective on the role of women in project controls?
Women bring an essential balance to project environments, be it strength paired with empathy, decisiveness paired with collaboration and technical rigor paired with emotional intelligence. I strongly believe that visibility matters. We need more women presenting, leading, mentoring and shaping the future of this discipline.
I actively advocate for women across various industries, technology, software and project controls, both inside and outside my organization. Representation matters and we each have a responsibility and ability to lift as we climb.
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?
One of the most profound lessons of my career came from learning to navigate cultural differences across global teams. In some settings, my directness was mistaken for arrogance. Rather than retreat, I chose to grow, cultivating emotional intelligence, adaptability and diplomacy. I learned to meet people where they are, honor context and communicate in a way that builds bridges, not barriers.
Working in predominantly male-dominated industries brought its own wisdom. I discovered that while emotion is human, reacting from it rarely serves the outcome. Patience became my strength. Listening became my strategy. Clarity became my language. And composure became my leadership signature.
These experiences didn’t just shape my leadership; they refined it. They taught me to lead with conviction and grace, to be firm without being rigid, compassionate without being complacent and courageous without losing humility. Today, I carry this belief into every room:
- Lead with empathy, because understanding unlocks alignment.
- Speak with clarity, because intention creates momentum.
- Stand with composure, because steadiness inspires trust.
In the end, cultural nuance and challenging environments didn’t limit me, they expanded me. They taught me that true leadership is not about being the loudest voice, but about being the steady one that helps others rise.
Any words of inspiration for those entering the field?
I like to begin every interaction with a simple question: “How can I help you?”
It’s a reminder of what truly guides me. It shapes not only how I show up for others, but also how I hope to be remembered.
And for me, the answer is clear: Selflessness.
I believe that:
- When we take the time to listen, we create space to understand.
- When we take the time to give, we open ourselves to receive.
- And whatever we put into the world, good or bad, has a way of finding its way back to us.
Henry Ford said it best:
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
Success doesn’t follow one path or one definition. It grows from curiosity, kindness, resilience and the commitment to always do our best.
Every conversation, every project and every opportunity to lift others reminds me why I love this profession and why building a stronger, more inclusive future for project controls will always matter.
From her early years in Malaysia, shaped by generations of empowered matriarchs, to building a life with the love of her life, a partner who fills her world with laughter, curiosity, and unwavering encouragement, Cynthia has always drawn strength from the relationships that inspire her. In him, she discovered not just a spouse, but a true companion in ambition, learning and shared values. Together, they have three sons and as a family, they give back through community service and embrace the joy and discovery that comes with traveling the world.
After earning her MBA from Strathclyde Business School in Glasgow, Scotland, Cynthia embarked on a professional journey marked by resilience, reinvention and a deep commitment to lifelong learning. She has navigated and excelled across diverse roles and industries, namely computer programming, power generation, oil and gas, water resources, education, enterprise software and asset lifecycle intelligence, spanning Southeast Asia, Europe and North America. Her career is a testament to the power of curiosity, courage and a global perspective: a reminder that growth is limitless when one chooses to keep learning and keep reaching.
Currently serving as an Executive Industry Consultant with Octave (previously Hexagon Asset Lifecycle Intelligence division), Cynthia is widely regarded as a trusted advisor who empowers organizations to look at their Total Cost Management and performance data across the entire asset lifecycle. Through her leadership within AACE and the Calgary-Chinook Chapter, her unwavering advocacy for women in project controls, and her commitment to mentoring students and emerging professionals, Cynthia continues to shape the profession and inspire the next generation of project controls leaders.