From pioneering landmark engineering solutions to quietly reshaping leadership on Australia’s largest infrastructure projects, Regional Engineering Director Olga Mikhaylova is proving that the strongest foundations are built on collaboration, courage and belief in people.
When Olga Mikhaylova speaks about leadership, she talks about people — the teams she builds, the shared values, and the collective effort required to solve problems no one has tackled before.
“I really aim to bring the best out in people,” she says. “I encourage everyone to push a little past the boundaries they set for themselves.”
On arrival in Australia in 2010, Olga - a qualified civil and geotechnical engineer - studied a master’s degree and PhD at the University of Melbourne. Backed with international experience, she pursued work across consultancy, research and public sectors. Today, Olga brings more than 20 years of experience to civil and transport infrastructure delivery.
“I have a very diverse career path which has taught me the importance of having more than one perspective,” says Olga. “When we think more broadly, we can achieve greater things.”
That broad perspective has proven critical on one of Victoria’s most ambitious infrastructure programs: the Suburban Rail Loop East Tunnels South package (SRL East), where Olga led a multi-disciplinary cohort of more than 500 professionals, overseeing engineering and design.
This is where Olga pioneered a landmark application of ground‑freezing technology for tunnel cross-passage construction - an innovation that challenged industry norms. The client’s initial design relied on jet grouting, a method known for its surface disruption and carbon intensity.
The decision to apply ground freezing at this unprecedented scale – covering almost 30 cross passages between Cheltenham and Clayton – required alignment and collaboration right across the project. “On a massive project like SRL, a lot of people have to contribute to achieve the outcome, across cost, technical feasibility, ground testing and constructability.”
Prior to this, ground freezing had only been used sporadically in Australia, and therefore no data existed on Melbourne’s soil and groundwater behaviour under freezing conditions. Olga led a rigorous geotechnical assessment, commencing with detailed soil investigations and laboratory testing in Germany, underpinned by a sustained focus on effective communication throughout the process.
“With my technical understanding, I managed to bring people together around the science,” she explains. “We first had to satisfy ourselves that the approach would work. Only then could we bring stakeholders along as well.
“In building the team, I looked for open-minded team players with a collaborative nature, and a dedication that goes beyond the job description.”
Digital engineering played a critical role. Making good use of ToBe Builder software - designed and developed inhouse by CIMIC Group’s IDD Tech team – advanced 3D modelling and 4D construction simulations were generated to test constructability within the tight spatial constraints of the tunnels. This modern planning tool proved vital in designing the ground freezing solution, with a multitude of scenarios tested in the digital environment to determine the most efficient construction methods. Ultimately, this approach created a powerful proof point for the client and stakeholders.
The outcome has been transformative: surface disruption will be reduced by more than 90%, major carbon savings will occur through the elimination of cement‑based grout, and program efficiencies will allow multiple passages to be constructed concurrently.
Yet, for Olga, success is measured less by innovation than by what it enables others to achieve. “Even at peak times when the going is tough, my comfort is knowing that the team gets it and we’re all heading in the one direction.”
Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to gender equity. On SRL East, this included sponsoring the BuildHer program, a project‑wide community bringing women together for knowledge sharing and career growth.
“There’s a tendency for women to enter the industry and leave mid-career. On the project we looked at retention as well as recruitment. How can we make it attractive for women to stay in the industry and ensure visibility, especially for pathways to senior leadership.”
SRL East famously features the first all-women TBM crew in the world, with more than 30% of the project’s workforce comprising women. “Our female participation numbers really challenge outdated perceptions that this industry is not for women, which can be a barrier to nurturing school students.”
As the Regional Engineering Director for CPB Contractors in Victoria and Tasmania, Olga is now overseeing engineering, digital delivery and partnerships with design and consultants. The future is bright.
“New markets are opening up, from data centres to renewable energy projects. My focus is on bringing our entire capability to the challenges ahead and giving our people the opportunity to deliver their best.”