We had the good fortune of connecting with Ada Lewis and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ada, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I was 39 years old when I left my successful career in engineering, my family, and friends, to relocate to the U.S. to marry my husband. I always heard that women are not generally known for taking risks, but I was willing to take on a risky challenge to start my life over again in a new Country. It is a challenge for a woman engineer to be successful in male-dominated fields, but I took it as an opportunity to grow and develop myself as a human being as well. Starting my career in Brazil, the construction field was dominated by “Machos”, but also by many men that supported me to strive and become a respectful professional in this field. After settling in my new life in the U.S., I started aiming to take risky roles in large organizations, where I could be challenged to learn new things. And, it happened, I worked for two Fortune Best Companies in the U.S., which helped to round my expertise and learn how to do business from the greatest. Being a woman, Latino, and black might seem challenging but I embraced it as an opportunity to challenge myself to go above and beyond my own expectations. I applied for jobs, went on interviews, and was selected for great roles where I had opportunities to travel the world, learn new skills and new technologies, meet new people, and aspire to new heights. I now have my own engineering firm, ProjePlan Engineering Services, bringing forth an innovative company combining all my years of experience with the skills I developed working for great corporations.
What should our readers know about your business?
ProjePlan Engineering Services is a woman-owned enterprise founded to provide comprehensive project construction services.
My years of experience and the network that I’ve built throughout my career in corporate jobs, enables me to lead my firm with confidence in delivering engineering services with creativity, focus and innovation to support our customers’ needs to overcome challenges and deliver successful projects.
At ProjePlan, we are committed to create opportunities for Houston residents that positively contribute to the future of the community.
ProjePlan is currently engaged in Drainage Improvement projects in Harris County, Texas, and we are also taking a step forward in the construction industry to bring Digital Transformation to enhance how we deliver projects saving time and money.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Houston is a diverse city with world class restaurants. There is always something happening in the city to excite visitors, from museums, parks, festivals, to open air music concerts. I cannot stop experiencing cross-cultural views and tasting different flavors.
To plan for my friend’s visit, I would first check the city event calendar for what is going on in the city, but I will make sure to add time to stroll by the museum district and have a taste of Brazil at Chama Gaucha or Texas de Brazil restaurants.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to thank God for all the encouragement and strength I received along my career path, and my family for the support and inspiration they gave me to stand strong in my beliefs and never give up on my dreams.
Website: https://projeplanservices.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ada-lewis/