A West Midlands consultant who learned the value of protecting the environment by feeding wild animals in her native Lithuania in temperatures of minus 20 degrees is the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2022. Ingrida Vengalyte, 33, beat off fierce competition to take the overall award after winning the Future Face of Sustainability category.

 

She received the award at the Future Faces annual dinner at the ICC and her prize includes a fully-funded MBA from Aston University. Ingrida, a principal strategic business consultant in the Birmingham office of American global solutions provider Jacobs, said her father had been her inspiration, taking her into forests to feed animals in the depths of winter.

“When I was a little girl, my dad, who works for the Environmental Forest Agency, took me to his work to show me around and introduced me to his daily job routine which was all about saving forests, protecting the environment and creating sustainable solutions to solve the most critical environmental problems.

“At that time, I was only seven years old and did not know what I wanted to do in the future. My dad was my inspiration, showing me what nature is, how important it is to understand what the environment needs, how everyone is lucky to live in it, but at the same time how significant it is take the right measures to save it.

“I grew up in a family where sustainability and the importance of protecting our environment was planted in my DNA. Every winter and every spring I would volunteer with my dad to feed animals who live in the forest.” Ingrida described her childhood expeditions with her father as a “fantastic experience.”

She added: “It was tiring sometimes, especially when it was minus 20 degrees in winter, but I knew that I was delivering an important mission. When the moment came to choose what I want to do, I decided to take an environmental career path. In 2012, I had successfully finished my BSc in Environmental Engineering in Lithuania, and in 2015, I graduated from Coventry University with a MSc with distinction in Environmental Management.”

After graduating, Ingrida was offered a graduate process engineering position at Jacobs. “It has been a great company to join, having values that are aligned with my thinking and gave me the opportunity to do things that matter to society.”

For the past six and a half years, Ingrida has been working on nationally significant infrastructure projects in the UK in a variety of business sectors, including nuclear, aviation, transportation, energy and water. The company provides engineering, technical, professional and construction services, as well as scientific and specialty consulting for a broad range of clients globally, including companies, organisations and government agencies.

She says: “In the past couple of years, I have led two public consultations for the Lower Thames Crossing project for National Highways. The project is part of the biggest investment (£7billion) in the country’s road network for a generation and is an essential component of the UK’s future transport infrastructure with its ambitious carbon reduction targets to enhance biodiversity, build new parks and promote active travel.”

Ingrida said she was “passionate” about her role as STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) Ambassador Lead for Jacobs Birmingham. “I co-ordinate STEAM activities, attending social and professional development events.

“Through our partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority, I aim to provide an inclusive engagement with STEAM teams and influence key people like West Midlands mayor Andy Street to unlock opportunities for early careers.”

ALL THE WINNERS:

Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2022
(Sponsor: Aston University)
Ingrida Vengalyte, Jacobs UK Ltd

The President’s Award
Michal Nowinski, Arup

Apprentice of the Year
(Sponsor: Greater Birmingham and Solihull Training Provider Network)
Daisy Carter, Jacobs UK Ltd 

Future Face of Education and Public Sector
(Sponsor: Sandwell College) 
Gurdeep Chima, Aston University

Future Face of Industry and Engineering
(Sponsor: Schumacher Packaging)
Ashik Nazar, Arup

Future Face of Legal
(Sponsor: Mondelez International)
Ashley Kerr, Mills and Reeve

Future Face of Health and Wellbeing
(Sponsor: BHSF)
Jeevan Singh Chagger, Evolve

Future Face of Sales, Marketing and Communications
(Sponsor: Mills & Reeve)
Gurdas Singh, Wanama Ltd 

Future Face of Retail and Hospitality
(Sponsor: Broadway Plaza)
Jacques Hobson. The Belfry Hotel and Resort

Future Face of Creative Arts and Culture
(Sponsor: University College Birmingham and University of Warwick)
Ben Wooldridge, Birmingham Rep 

Future Face of Charity and Third Sector
(Sponsor: Entec Si)
Abigail Coulson, Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust

Future Face of Start-Up and Enterprise
(Sponsor: Birmingham City University)
Tom Field, Dakro Environmental

Future Face of Technology and Innovation
(Sponsor: Intercity Technology)
Yung Yu Lau, Jacobs UK Ltd

Future Faces Ambassador Award 2022
(Sponsor: Common Purpose)
Amy Jacklin, Virgin Money

Future Face of Finance
(Sponsor: HSBC)
Jamie Gibson, Mazars LLP 

Future Face of Sustainability
(Sponsor: Deutsche Bank)
Ingrida Vengalyte, Jacobs UK Ltd