Shining a spotlight on those making a difference at Wood is an important part of our inspired culture. We are all about motivating our teams to be the best they can be, recognising the expertise, capabilities, and positive energy they bring to work every single day.
Minacksshi Jagdheesh, Chief Quality Assurance Engineer based in our Global Execution Centre headquarters in Chennai, India, is instrumental in implementing company-wide Project Quality Management Systems. She has a passion for audits and has been a recognised Lead Auditor for the QMS, documenting and supporting many sectors, divisions and branches in achieving ISO9001 Certification.
Minacksshi joined Wood in 2022 with more than 30 years of experience – but her story goes far beyond her amazing career journey. Minacksshi’s story is one of hope, strength and perseverance and she is the embodiment of our company values – courage, care and commitment.
In 2008, I was planning to relocate to the US with my family for my husband’s job. Shortly before we were due to depart, we received the devastating news that I was diagnosed with stage three throat cancer. I was given just three months to live.
This news hit us like a tonne of bricks, but I decided to tackle it head on, with hope as my only option. I went through many series of radio- and chemotherapy, multiple surgeries and clinical trials – I lost my voice, my hair, some teeth, oesophagus, I suffered left hand palsy due to associated neurological issues. The biggest change of all was the change of my breathing path from my nose to my trachea. A portion of stomach replaces my oesophagus. Now, I speak with an electronic speech amplifier and I am limited in what I can eat and drink.
And while this was all a lot to take in, I was determined to make it through for my family and to make a difference in this world. Fourteen years later, my main aim is to support others through similar journeys. Outside of my career at Wood, I spend a lot of time working with NGOs and other charitable organisations to provide counselling to those who are living with a terminal cancer diagnosis.
In addition, I collaborate with local educational institutions to promote students' understanding of palliative care scenarios from the patient’s perspective, as this is a vital aspect of their education.
In my role as Chief Quality Assurance Engineer, I apply the skills that I’ve gained over the past few years to my work. Resilience, perseverance and perspective are important when working on some of the world’s largest energy and materials projects and I’m proud to say that my personal life has helped me develop these traits.
Some of my most significant work supports detailed engineering projects for clients such as Suncor, Qatar Energy and ExxonMobil, and I cover a broad range of end products - including electrical panels, thermo furnaces, infrastructures and pharmaceutical labs – to obtain ISO 9001 Certification.
One of my favourite aspects of my role is supporting the development of new talent to independently lead quality in projects, providing quality inductions and internal auditor training to colleagues.
Wood has been hugely supportive of me. While being given the opportunity to learn, develop and grow within the company, I have also been able to explore my voluntary work so that I can help others who are going through what I have. I am incredibly passionate about helping others – both professionally and personally - and I am honoured that I can play a significant part in people’s lives while still living mine to its fullest potential.
