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Stories of Women: Leadership, Resilience and the Power of Giving Back

10 August 2026

Interview with Eniko Hegyi, Senior Delivery Manager MP UK

As a consultant working at the heart of one of the UK’s largest public sector programmes, Eniko Hegyi has built a reputation for bringing confidence, authenticity and emotional intelligence to complex environments. In this interview, she shares her perspective on leadership, the importance of psychological safety, supporting women at every stage of their careers, and why creating space for honest conversations and recognition can have a lasting impact.

Your career spans policing, retail property, and central government. How has navigating such contrasting environments shaped your resilience as a woman leader, and what has a non-linear path taught you about adapting with confidence?

It quickly became less about being the only junior woman in the room and more about understanding my own strengths and capabilities. Success was defined by ability and expertise, not gender. I learned to be comfortable with what I didn’t know, play to my strengths, and be open and transparent about both.

Your first engagement at MIGSO-PCUBED placed you in a highly specialised, male dominated space. What does earning credibility look like when you're the only woman in the room and expected to prove yourself twice as fast?

Credibility for me comes through two things: preparation and confidence in my own abilities. I immersed myself in that specialist subject area for three weeks and didn’t come up for air. I was also very clear on what I bring to the programme; statistically speaking women often underestimate their own skills and experience, and I think it’s important to present as the subject matter experts we are.

You're part of the team delivering one of the UK's largest public sector programmes across nine government departments. What does it take for women to make their voices heard, influence decisions, and show up authentically in such a complex environment?

The UK public sector is a truly diverse environment, with well-balanced leadership, so we’re set up for an even playing field in a way. I found that the real challenge is the highly political and hierarchical nature of public sector programmes. I think it’s a balance between emotional intelligence and the stability that comes from confident expertise. Not having to be the smartest person in the room is a very underrated, but vitally important skill in consulting. It’s all about quickly adapting to your surroundings and taking a temperature check.

How can organisations better support women balance leadership ambitions and personal commitments?

Organisations can play an important role by setting clear standards and boundaries and maintaining them, even in demanding client environments. I believe employee wellbeing should be a priority, both inside and outside of work. We all have commitments beyond our careers, and creating space for those responsibilities and interests is essential. Rather than focusing on how people spend their time away from work, whether that's attending an appointment, collecting children from school, or spending time with friends the emphasis should be on outcomes and trust. Once we've delivered what is expected of us, people should feel empowered to switch off and focus on the parts of life that matter most to them.

As we reflect on this year’s IWD theme of ‘give to gain’ what does giving back mean to you at this stage of your career?

For me, giving back means having open and honest conversations with colleagues about both successes and challenges, including topics that can sometimes feel difficult to discuss, such as pay and balancing work with parenthood. It’s also about recognising the contributions of others and ensuring people feel valued for the effort they put in.

Looking ahead to the next chapter of your career, what kind of female leader are you still working on becoming, and how do you hope to influence the women coming up behind you?

I want to create a working environment where people feel comfortable being themselves and are supported to do their best work. In practice, that means understanding their strengths, ambitions and boundaries, and helping them navigate challenges with confidence.

Early in my career, I worked on an airport engineering contract in what was a largely male-dominated, high-pressure operational environment. One of my managers had a lasting impact on me. Before one of our first meetings, she told me not to feel I had to bring a laptop or notepad unless I wanted to. It was a simple gesture, but it signalled that she saw me as a contributor first and foremost, rather than someone there to support from the sidelines. Throughout her leadership, she consistently championed the people around her and created opportunities for others to thrive. She has been a real inspiration to me, and I hope to have a similarly positive influence on the women I work with throughout my career.

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About MIGSO-PCUBED

MIGSO-PCUBED is the world leader for Project Management and PMO consulting. With a team of specialists reaching across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia, we have become the trusted delivery partner for the most recognisable brands around the world. Working in the fields of aeronautics, defence, automotive, transportation, financial services, energy, public sectors, and beyond, we help our clients to turn their biggest ideas into reality. We adapt our solutions to their culture as well as leverage the latest technologies and best practices to bring the greatest value.

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