Her Story
About Alena
Alena Mikhaylova, Ph.D., is a Business Development and Integrations Manager at NWPX Infrastructure, specializing in corporate strategy, cross-functional integrations, and M&A expansion. With over a decade of experience bridging structural engineering and commercial growth, she aligns complex technical capabilities with market demand to drive enterprise value.
Dr. Mikhaylova began her career as a Structural Engineer at Global Maritime, conducting advanced structural assessments for offshore installations, and served as an adjunct lecturer at The University of Texas at Arlington. Recognizing her aptitude for commercial execution, she transitioned into technical sales and product leadership—serving as Product Manager for Lined Precast at NWPX Geneva and Product Resource Engineer at Rinker Materials—before earning an MBA from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin to deepen her expertise in corporate strategy.
In her current role, she leads corporate development initiatives, directs post-merger integration workflows across department stakeholders, prepares strategic presentations for the Board of Directors, and evaluates potential acquisition targets across the infrastructure sector.
Dr. Mikhaylova holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Structural Concentration) from UT Arlington and Pragmatic Institute PMC Level I and II certifications. An active advocate for the infrastructure community, she is a National Science Foundation EAPSI Fellow, has served on committees for ASTM International and the Transportation Research Board (TRB), and co-founded the Houston Section of the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE), growing the chapter to nearly 140 members.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alena
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my upbringing, determination, and desire to create a better life for myself and my family. I was motivated by the goal of achieving opportunities and experiences that were different from what my parents had, which instilled in me a strong work ethic and commitment to personal growth. My father was an engineer, and my natural strengths in mathematics and physics inspired me to pursue engineering as a career, but it was my discipline and adaptability that allowed me to evolve from a technical specialist into a strategy leader. I’ve always believed that building on your core strengths while staying open to new challenges is what drives true, lasting progress.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to actively seek out a trusted mentor, who will challenge your thinking and offer unbiased perspective throughout the career. Having a guide who offers honest feedback and objective perspective during pivotal moments, whether evaluating new opportunities or tackling tough leadership challenges, is invaluable. A great mentor doesn't just offer wisdom, they help expand your perspective so you can make informed, high-impact decisions
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Anchor yourself in what you do best, and continually expand your skills and capabilities. Real fulfillment comes from applying your unique strengths to solve meaningful problems that advance your organization and community. Cultivate an adaptable mindset, prioritize your personal and professional development, embrace complex challenges outside your comfort zone, and never stop growing. This will build your confidence and help you achieve whatever goals you set for yourself.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my professional and personal life are discipline, balance, and continuous growth. I believe in staying active and maintaining a healthy, focused lifestyle, which helps me perform at my best in every area of life. I enjoy a variety of activities, including rock climbing, cycling, sand volleyball and weightlifting. Staying active every day keeps me energized, focused, and motivated, while also reinforcing the discipline and perseverance that I bring to my work and personal goals.
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