GM Ella Culubong Bridges Cultures, Builds Success in Philippines

This Women in Construction Week, learn how the civil engineer has helped expand growth, diversity and excellence in the fast-growing Haskell office.

A licensed civil engineer with experience in structural steel design and detailing, Ella Culubong took on a new challenge in 2018 when she agreed to become the General Manager of Haskell’s new office in the Philippines.

“The opportunity to start and build the Philippines office was quite challenging, but I knew it would be worthwhile,” Culubong said. “Building not only structures but, more importantly, people and helping to establish an effective system has motivated me.”

Haskell had offices in the Asia-Pacific region and extended into the Philippines to build a temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That project grew into many more, and when it became time to open the office, Culubong, a native Filipino, joined to act as its legal representative.

Her responsibilities include coordinating resources and support for the design and project teams to ensure smooth execution and regular customer communication. She ensures that the Philippine team employs best practices in all administrative areas, including accounting, human resources, personnel management and talent acquisition. She also oversees the APAC Steel Detailing Team AND helps manage the Philippines Design Center Team.

In the five-plus years since the office, located in Manila, has grown to more than 100 team members and is now the company’s third largest.

“It was challenging during the first few years of the Philippines office as we navigated the right strategy to blend the Haskell system with the local system to have a fully functional and effective organization,” she said. “It is understood there are different challenges per region, and the Philippines has managed to adapt to these challenges. We also aim to establish the Philippines team to be known for high-quality services, and we give foremost importance to the relationships we build with our clients and colleagues in the industry.”

Haskell’s culture, built on the core values of Team, Excellence, Service and Trust, provides myriad training and career opportunities.

“We want to establish how the organization can bring value to each team member,” she said. “We want to make sure that the time with Haskell is time well spent. Haskell should be a place where team members can learn, foster good relationships, and build a solid foundation for technical depth.”

As Haskell celebrates Women in Construction Week 2024, Culubong said that while the industry was predominantly male, she saw an increasing number of women choosing it as a career.

“I believe gender does not dictate or define what an individual can do and contribute to the organization. Rather, the character and passion towards one’s goals will,” she said. “I am proud that Haskell gives this opportunity to the women in our team. Having a culture of valuing diversity is one of Haskell’s greatest core values. It starts with trust and believing that women can do remarkable things for the organization. Haskell gives women in our company the opportunity to be seen and heard with high regard for each individual’s capabilities. Haskell does not define people by gender but instead gives importance to good character, drive to excellence and willingness to take on challenges.

When asked what advice she would give women considering following her footsteps to a career in the architectural, engineering, and construction industry, Culubong was clear and direct.

“Want it and commit to it,” she said. “Do not be afraid to take opportunities even if they look overwhelming and scary. It is the beauty in complexity and the feeling of fulfillment to be part of building things that matter. Be a leader who is fair and empathetic but holds conviction. Lastly, enjoy the journey and work hard to reach your goals. As they say in Filipino – ‘Padayon!’ meaning to move forward and not give up.”

Haskell is hiring! Explore the many options available to join a growing company where the Core Values of Team, Excellence, Service and Trust inspire everything we do.

Haskell delivers $2± billion annually in Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC) and Consulting solutions to assure certainty of outcome for complex capital projects worldwide. Haskell is a global, fully integrated, single-source design-build and EPC firm with over 2,200 highly specialized, in-house design, construction and administrative professionals across industrial and commercial markets. With 20+ office locations around the globe, Haskell is a trusted partner for global and emerging clients.