Meet our Emerging Leader Award finalist Durgadevi Ragupathy

The ACE New Zealand Emerging Leader Award, sponsored by Tonkin + Taylor, recognises people who have a passion for leadership in the consulting sector, show a commitment to developing themselves, and demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities in their work and communities. Meet one of our three 2023 finalists, Durgadevi Ragupathy.  

Durgadevi RagupathyDurga is a Lead Engineer at Aurecon and has worked for multiple engineering consultancies around New Zealand. Durga holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering Degree and a Master of Disaster Management Degree from the University of Auckland.  

Working on multi-disciplinary and various sized projects and consultancies has allowed Durga to gain an understanding of the different stages of a project. Durga has successfully completed numerous projects from application to conclusion by working closely with her team, colleagues, clients and third parties through open channels of communication.  

Durga is a passionate individual that applies her knowledge and experience and strives to make a difference. She has learned to prioritise what is important and to make difficult decisions based on her beliefs and values. It has taught her to have the courage of her convictions, qualities that are essential for any leader. Her volunteering experiences have contributed to her personal growth and understanding of the importance of representation. Durga’s focus on individual impact and addressing social issues demonstrate a community-oriented leadership style. 

The winner of the 2023 Emerging Leader Award will be announced at the ACE Awards Gala in Wellington on Thursday 21 September.