Meet Belkis

A chemical engineer turned project manager, Belkis Medina discovered her true calling not in process design, but in delivering purpose-driven results. “Before discovering project management, I was working well but with no passion for what I was doing,” she says.

After moving from Venezuela to Spain in 2006, she began to build her career and eventually joined Wood in 2012.  Here she transitioned to project engineering. “This was an opportunity to compete with myself. Every project is a chance to do better.”  It was this career change that allowed Belkis to become a part of what would become the defining projects of her career in 2016.

A career-defining project

The Middle East Oil Refinery (MIDOR) in Alexandria is one of Africa’s largest and most complex energy projects. It has undergone a $1.7 billion transformation, turning one of Africa’s most advanced refineries into a regional powerhouse.

Over eight and a half years, Wood performed project management consultancy as part of the Owner Integrated team that  support the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) phase of this project.  Belkis led the team throughout.  In her role as Project Manager, she oversaw everything from pre-commissioning to performance testing.

“I didn’t know commissioning, but I said yes. I studied, I learned and I led”.

She relocated to Egypt with her six-year-old son, embracing the challenge of site leadership in a traditionally male-dominated environment. Her empathy, strength, and communication skills earned her the trust of the team and the client.

“I always try to lead with love and passion. I’m proud to be a strong female leader.”

On the final day of the project, the client surprised her with a heartfelt ceremony.  They wanted to recognise her unwavering commitment and impact.  She received two awards and a handmade gift—proof that leadership built on integrity and care leaves a lasting mark.

Driving the team to success

Under Belkis’s leadership, the MIDOR project achieved an outstanding customer satisfaction score.  They delivered on time and within budget, meeting the highest HSE standards, despite the challenges of COVID-19.

“When the project was complete, the EPC Contractor told me it was the first time he’d seen a woman in the role of commissioning manager on a project of this scale. He said I should be proud to have been the first, and to have led it to success.”

Belkis is proud of her leadership style. “I think embracing the fact that I am a woman leading a predominantly male team was a big aspect of why we achieved such great things through this project. I lead with my heart and am not afraid to show that. Alongside this, my strong communication skills truly make me an impactful leader for this project, and I’m proud of that.”

Since project completion, MIDOR now boasts a boosted capacity of 160,000 barrels per day, meeting up to 20% of Egypt’s diesel and gasoline demand.  It produces Euro 5-grade fuels and has tripled jet fuel output, enabling both domestic supply and export surplus.

She continues to stay in touch with her team, now spread across the globe.   “Leaving that lasting impression with the team truly means a lot to me.”

Looking ahead

Belkis aspires to keep growing at Wood, leading large teams and building motivated, aligned project groups.

Outside of work, she’s a proud mother of two, a yoga enthusiast and a passionate advocate for women in leadership. She finds inspiration in retreats and communities that empower women to make a difference.

“I’m committed to continuous learning and to showcasing the value of the talented individuals at Wood. That’s my goal.”

Belkis’s story is a testament to what’s possible when passion meets opportunity. “It’s unique to truly love what you do. Most people work to live, but I truly love what I do. I feel so lucky to be able to truly say that.”