A Global Journey and a Digital Transformation

Carolina Fong Guzzy (MPM '13) grew up in Mexico, where she earned her undergraduate degree in civil engineering. When she wanted to learn more about the management aspect of construction, she turned to Northwestern Engineering's Master of Science in Project Management (MPM) program.

Fong Guzzy became part of the program's typical multinational cohort. Today, she leads a similar multinational team as the co-founder and digital engineering manager of Accienta, a software and services firm based in Dubai.

“Our team is diverse, with more than six nationalities and different professional experiences,” she said. “We interact and collaborate with our cultural perspectives and personal understanding, and that generates great ideas.”

Fong Guzzy combines those ideas to help clients navigate comprehensive digital transformations. Her role is to lead customer-centric digital journeys for clients across various sectors, including construction, transportation, and energy.

Though the industries she works with and the nations that host them are different, there are similarities.

“Our industry keeps evolving, and there are certain aspects that are applicable based on your location,” she said. “But there is a baseline that is common everywhere in the world. Digital transformation change management is needed everywhere.”

Fong Guzzy witnessed that firsthand when she moved to Dubai soon after getting married. She saw a chance to bring new technologies to the construction industry and jumped at the opportunity.

“An entrepreneur shouldn’t be afraid to try,” she said. “The best way to bring a possible solution to market is to test it.”

She co-founded Accienta in June 2017 and served as its lead consultant for more than a year before transitioning to her current role as digital engineering manager in September 2018.

The lessons she learned while in the MPM program have been at the heart of Accienta’s success, from deciphering how a business' cash flow impacts operations to collaborating with global teams.

“I apply them every day,” Fong Guzzy said. “The great quality of professors in the MPM program made a big difference in learning key insights from industry experts with vast practical experience in different fields.” 

Fong Guzzy was particularly proud to represent Mexico as a student and recommended the program to those from her home country.

“MPM is a great fit for students coming from Mexico because we share many similarities with the US market and follow similar standards in construction,” she said. “There are some technical variations, but the actual aim of the program is the managerial aspects of how the construction industry works.”

Fong Guzzy said the MPM program gave her what she needed to be confident in her abilities.

Now, she helps form that same confidence in others.

“I enjoy building teams and participating as a speaker, preaching what we do and any useful insights for those traversing the current digital landscape,” she said. “I’m very grateful to have attended Northwestern University. It was an experience that I’ll always cherish dearly.”