Eng. Heba Abu Elela is a pioneering civil engineer and an accomplished leader in the global construction industry. She currently serves as Vice Chairman of The Arab Contractors, one of the region’s most influential construction companies (appointed in January 2025). Her appointment reflects her remarkable technical expertise, strategic acumen, and visionary leadership.
She has held several key positions throughout her career, including:
• Board Member (April 2023)
• Director of the Specialized Bridges and Constructions Department (July 2020 – March 2023)
• Director of the Engineering Unit (2016 – June 2020)
• Deputy Director of the Engineering Unit (2012 – 2016)
• Structural Engineer (October 2008 – September 2012)
A graduate of Ain Shams University with highest honors in Civil Engineering, Eng. Heba has built a career distinguished by technical excellence and managerial success. She began as a design engineer and rose to become Director of Bridges and Specialized Construction, overseeing multi-billion-dollar projects and leading teams on complex infrastructure developments.
She has played key roles in iconic national and international projects, including; but not limited to:
• Egypt’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) system
• High-Speed Rail (HSR) network
• Rod El Farag Axis Bridge, recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s widest cable-stayed bridge.
Key Achievements:
• Manages projects exceeding EGP 15 billion in value annually.
• Successfully led cross-functional teams of over 6,000 personnel across strategic infrastructure initiatives.
• Under her leadership, the Tanzania branch of The Arab Contractors quadrupled its operational output within just two years.
• Awarded international accolades, including:
• Big 5’s Best Young Engineer (2021)
• Best Leadership Engineer (2022)
As Vice Chairman, she provides executive oversight across a wide range of sectors, including; but not limited to:
• Bridges and highways
• Ready-mix concrete and recycling
• Quarries and heavy construction solutions
• Transport Sector
• Marine Construction
• Energy and Transmission
• Water Infrastructure
Her responsibilities span oversight over: financial planning, quality assurance, operational efficiency, and strategic innovation.
Global Leadership:
Eng. Heba’s leadership extends beyond technical skill to the ability to manage vast, multidisciplinary teams. Her management style merges strategic clarity with empathy and collaboration, fostering environments where performance thrives under tight deadlines and complex challenges.
Internationally, she has led the company’s strategic expansion and representation in:
• Tanzania: Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project
• Egypt: El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant
• 2023–2025: Key diplomatic and corporate missions to Cameroon, Angola, Chad, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Ivory Coast, Maldives, Zambia, among many others.
She has consistently represented The Arab Contractors in meetings with high-ranking officials, including prime ministers and presidents, to secure and expand international partnerships.
Vision and Legacy:
Eng. Heba embodies innovation, resilience, and commitment qualities essential to the future of infrastructure development. Her remarkable achievements and leadership make her a role model for engineers worldwide, especially women in STEM, and a key contributor to the advancement of global construction and engineering practices.