Sara Adly – Business Development Director Resources & New Energy, Jacobs
Business and personal growth and transformation have been key themes during Sara’s life.
Sara is proud to be a female leader in a diverse and challenging environment where she can have a say while leading her teams to success. “I believe I am known for my leadership skills, dedication and determination to achieve successful, high-quality outcomes,” she said. “I am proud of my commendations from my mentors as much as my mentees, and I hold them all close to my heart.”
Thirteen years ago, Sara immigrated to Australia from the Middle East, where oil and gas and energy are key industries. “As an immigrant, it was sometimes difficult to belong, but the one thing I knew was that I understood this industry and always had a great interest in being part of it,” she said. “Both of my brothers work in that industry, and they shared fascinating stories and great achievements that I always felt a connection to.”
Once settled in Australia with her family, Sara decided it was time to re-enter the workforce and rediscover her passion for the industry. “I got my first job from an energy exhibition, where I started my career as a commercial assistant, and the rest is history!” Sara said.
It was during this time that Sara completed her master’s degree in business, focusing on strategic planning while raising two children. “It was a great experience and, in addition to testing my resilience and proving to myself that I can achieve anything I put my mind to, it gave me solid knowledge in leading strategic business change around growth and the bigger picture, which is what business is all about,” she said. “I was able to utilise this knowledge to fast-track my career and go on to hold senior roles
in well-respected organisations.”
“I am also lucky to have worked across both mining and energy sectors, building the same connections across both industries, and seeing how the energy transition movement has been the bridge between the two industries. It is fascinating.”
Sara first became involved with the Energy Club WA in 2014, but only officially became a member in 2018 after developing strong connections with many of the professional members. “The trust between the members and the connections built through the club are timeless and shows the crucial role the club plays in the evolving, dynamic industry we work in,” Sara said. “People are the heart of this industry, and the club keeps us all connected providing us with the ability to be there for each other.”
Being involved in the Energy Club has complimented her current role as Business Development Director Resources & New Energy at Jacobs. “Energy Club WA is leading the way with their responsiveness and engagement with their members,” Sara said. “Now that I am part of Jacobs, I am proud to share Jacobs' approach towards energy transition and how the market has been evolving, being in the forefront of technology and innovative solutions for a better tomorrow.
“Working at Jacobs and leading strategy execution efforts, the club also provided a great platform for me to continue engaging with the industry.”
Jacobs is a global organisation that challenges today and reinvents tomorrow, which aligns with Sara’s values and her aspiration for her children to have a “better future and better world”. Jacobs is reinventing and redefining its place in the resources and energy markets, and Sara is very excited to be part of that journey.
“I am currently focused on leading the execution of the resources and new energy strategy for Jacobs, reinventing our place in the market and working with this essential industry to make a positive impact and be their trusted advisor through the transition,” she said.
Sara is most excited about being part of the energy market transformation involving renewables and decarbonisation including digital solutions and hydrogen,
taking the industry into the future.
Being in a leadership position and working with clients, Sara has always enjoyed working with people and achieving the highest quality outcomes. “I have enjoyed seeing the positive impact I may have had on the career of my team members and giving them a good example of what leadership is all about,” she said.
Sara’s career progression and skills have been positively impacted by people she has met over the years. “I have built strong relationships and enduring ties with people in the industry, and I know, regardless of how long it has been since we talked, we will be there to support each other and that’s what this industry is also about,” she said.
She is most proud of completing her master’s degree as well as her strong connections to the people she has worked with and is motivated by leading successful teams to articulate a vision and formulate a strategy on how to get there. “The ability to stand together as a team and realise that we have achieved the vision we set out to achieve is a million-dollar feeling,” Sara said.
“I am determined to set the best example for my kids and show them that they can achieve whatever they put their mind to.”
Sara is part of Jacobs Global Women’s Network and has interests in business transformation, market trends, and client engagement.
Outside of work, Sara enjoys spending all her spare time with her husband and children, especially when on family holidays. Sara enjoys travel and once the world is open again, she would love to visit Japan, Europe, and the Middle East. Sara also enjoys interior design. “In an alternate universe, I think I could have been an interior designer, still working with people but to achieve the vision of their dream unique space!”.