Joy Chen

Company: GHD 

Job title: Digital Solutions Lead 

Joy Chen

About Joy

I immigrated from China to New Zealand in 2000 and joined GHD in 2004 where I am currently working as Digital Solutions Lead. I am also an Auckland-based wellbeing champion and co-leader for “Women in GHD" in New Zealand. 

Whakapapa pepeha

I grew up in Suzhou near Shanghai in China. In 1985, I received a bachelor's degree in Hydrology from Nanjing University and worked in Nanjing Institute of Hydrology and Water Resource for 10 years,  five of which was full-time on a flooding study of the Three Gorges Dam.

When I moved to New Zealand from China, I studied for a master's degree in geography (majoring in GIS).

At GHD I lead a location intelligence team in New Zealand and the Philippines to deliver digital solutions on various engineering projects.

I'm passionate about helping immigrant engineers settle into New Zealand by sharing my experiences on cultural challenges. Since 2015, I have worked with the Special Interest Group for Immigrant Engineers (SIGIE) as a secretary, chair, and vice-chair. Our SIGIE members have increased from 100 to 300 during my three year chair period. Currently, I am also on the board for the Chinese Women Association of New Zealand.

Strategic vision for ACE New Zealand

• To build strong connections of engineering and consulting firms
• To form guidance on supporting the future wellbeing of these organisations
• To help its members' career development through various ways, including coaching and mentoring
• To empower members to challenge themselves and others and grow together professionally and personally
• To encourage organisations and members to share knowledge, especially helping the young generation grow
• To demonstrate leadership on diversity and inclusion, help members to understand more on cultural challenges
• To grow ACE members and show the benefits in the engineering and consulting industry
• To empower organisations and individuals to adopt new technology, especially digital innovations
• To recognise the industry successes and build role models for industry excellence

Strengths

I have compassion, empathy and care for others. I like to challenge myself and empower others to grow professionally and personally.

I'm particularly passionate about cultural challenges by sharing my experiences as an immigrant engineer.

I believe that trust is a key element to building a strong relationship and that building trust requires our actions on accountability and responsibility and keeping "do what we promised".

I also understand the importance of respect and how it impacts personal and professional relationships.

Calmness and patience have helped me to solve problems quite often, and I believe that team effort is the key for success.

What does diversity and inclusion mean to you?

As a female immigrant engineer, I think about diversity and inclusion quite often, especially when I hear or see things that are different from my previous experience.

Diversity and inclusion can help people to establish a sense of belonging and can encourage each individual to be their best self.

Diversity and inclusion can form a positive culture and help people to build trust, and create a safe environment, so that people can be brave enough to have their voices, and feel empowered and inspired to do their best.

Since 2015, I have been with the SIGIE committee (Special Interest Group for Immigrant Engineers under Engineering New Zealand) by sharing my experience and learning from others on cultural challenges with immigrant engineers in New Zealand and also international students from universities, teachers in language school, and friends around. It inspires me to have more involvement in diversity and inclusion.