Sisi Ying, Commercial Director for the VicConnect alliance at UGL, has been named one of the Top 10 Young Executives finalists by the Australian Financial Review (AFR) for 2024. This recognition highlights Sisi's exceptional leadership and contributions to both her industry and the broader community.
For Sisi, this achievement marks a significant milestone in her career. She first began following the AFR BOSS Young Executive awards five years ago, drawn to the program’s focus on identifying and nurturing the next generation of business leaders. "This year, I decided to go for it," Sisi shared.
The AFR BOSS Young Executive program is known for its rigorous assessment process, which evaluates candidates on contemporary business criteria such as leadership, business acumen, strategic direction, stakeholder influence, and innovation. "The assessment was comprehensive," Sisi explained. "It included a 360-degree evaluation of leadership qualities that are recognised as vital for the next generation of business leaders."
The process also involved a full-day simulation where candidates were tested on real business scenarios, such as presenting strategic transformation, making critical decisions, and having difficult but impactful conversations. "It was like navigating workplace challenges in real-time, with executives assessing your potential as a future leader," Sisi shared.
The VicConnect consortium, comprising UGL, Decmil, Arup, Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP), and V/Line, is responsible for the design and construction of the Gippsland Line Upgrade. The project spans over 100km from Pakenham to Traralgon delivering a safer and more reliable regional rail network for Victoria, which connects communities, creates job opportunities, and revitalises the regional economy in Victoria. It involves duplicating tracks, extending the Morwell crossing loop, upgrading level crossings, and signaling, and adding second platforms to facilitate more frequent off-peak services.
Sisi’s recognition as one of AFR's Top 10 Young Executives for 2024 is a testament to her leadership and the supportive environment at UGL that fosters such talent. As she continues to grow in her role, Sisi is excited about the future and the opportunities ahead.