ACE Chief Executive Helen Davidson says the Emerging Leader Award acknowledges those with a commitment to advancing the consulting sector and the communities we serve, and promoting diversity and inclusion in their work environment.
“This year we had an exceptionally high calibre of candidates who are all making an impact in their organisations and the wider industry. All of the entries were so inspiring, so standing out in such a competitive field is a remarkable achievement.
“Huge congratulations to our 2025 Emerging Leader Award finalists Rasem, Sharon and Roanna – we’re looking forward to celebrating with you at the ACE Awards Gala next month.”
Rasem Naji
Rasem Naji joined Pacific Commissioning and Co-ordination as a graduate in 2016 and has since become a Senior Associate, leading project teams on some of the most complex and high-profile commercial developments in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, such as the $1 billion Waikeria Prison Development and Amohia Ake (Hamilton’s first six-star NABERS rated project).
Sharon Parackal
As a Senior Associate at Frequency, Sharon leads complex, transformative projects for Wellington City Council, notably the Golden Mile upgrade – a high-profile and politically complex piece of work – and the Thorndon Quay and Hutt Road upgrade. Combining technical prowess with a deep commitment to building trust and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, Sharon’s leadership is characterised by clarity, strategic thinking, empathy, professionalism and humanity, and is driven by her belief that good infrastructure shapes stronger communities.
Roanna Purcaru
With over a decade of experience leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering complex water infrastructure projects across New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and the United States, Roanna Purcaru inspires, guides and influences others through her technical expertise and collaborative spirit. As Project Director, Lead Engineer and Service Line Leader at GHD, her integrity, business acumen, strategic foresight and people-centric approach have earned her respect in the industry.
Winner to be announced at 2025 ACE Awards Gala
The winner of the 2025 Emerging Leader Award will be presented at the ACE Awards Gala on 23 October in Auckland.
A ticket to the ACE Awards Gala is included in any full registration for the Futurespace conference.
To get tickets, visit the Futurespace registration page and select ‘ACE Awards Gala only’ or ‘Table of 10 to ACE Awards Gala’.