Member Spotlight: Jessica Apit — Navigating the Global Landscape of Project Management and Feminist Investing
Chatting with Jessica was an absolute joy as she brings infectious energy and inspiration to every facet of her life.
Originating from the Philippines, she's woven her professional and personal tapestry through diverse global locations—Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kansas, Houston, St. John’s, Oakville, Laval, and eventually re-settling in Calgary, never forgetting the magnificence of the Rocky Mountains.
Today, Jessica serves as the Managing Director at One InfraNergy Inc., where she provides invaluable guidance to organizations and individuals navigating the intricacies of projects in the energy and infrastructure sectors. She takes pride in coming up with collaborative solutions, which at times may be unorthodox, to varied project challenges. To name a few, she aided in resolving impending claims and has helped address resource constraints by tapping into a global pool of talents.
In her diverse role, Jessica collaborates with many companies worldwide; leveraging on her own experiences, she often provides guidance to businesses entering the Canadian market.
FFIL Experience
Jessica is a proud alumni from our latest Financial Feminism Investing Lab (FFIL) cohort.
When asked ‘why did you join FFIL?’, she explained, "While I already dabble in the private equity sector, I recognize there is a difference with startups—specifically the risks and the unavailability of information associated with them. As an advocate for innovators and an admirer of founders, I found myself deeply curious with this space. FFIL presented the perfect opportunity for me to break into this field, expand my knowledge and be more confident with my startup investment decisions.”
What’s Next
In her professional capacity, Jessica seeks to support more organizations requiring bespoke project management solutions. She will continue to employ a multi-pronged approach on her recommendations: built around technical, commercial and contractual practicality.
In parallel, the significant boost in confidence and knowledge attributed to FFIL has empowered her to engage more effectively with founders. She is keen to expand her portfolio of startup investments whilst contemplating on a potential journey towards wealth and office management.
Getting to Know Jessica
Outside of work, Jessica is a proud wife to Francis and a grateful mom to 14-year-old twin girls, Francheska and Kasarra. As a family, they're kind of outdoorsy folks—whether hiking or biking in the summer or snowshoeing or skiing the slopes in the winter, they're mostly out there enjoying nature all seasons of the year. Their family travels continue to influence the stories they tell, the music they listen to, the food they eat and even the goals they intend to pursue together.
Fun fact! Here's a cool tidbit about Jessica: she's a lightning-fast reader.
Back when she was a kid, she mastered the art of speed reading. Don’t challenge her to a read-off (or do… if you’re feeling bold).
Advice to Your Past Self
When we asked Jessica to drop some wisdom for her past self, here's what she spilled:
First and foremost, always keep in mind that everything you do adds up to your credibility. Stay consistent because building credibility takes time.
Tune in to your own joy. Life's full of roadblocks, so figure out your fundamentals—know who you are and what truly gives you joy.
Advice for Aspiring Investors
When we asked Jessica to share some knowledge for aspiring investors, here was her advice:
Hunt for ways to generate excess money—boost that wealth!
Get yourself the right education and carve out the time for it. Dive into books, tap into organizations like M51, or tune into podcasts.
Jessica delved into her academic journey, starting as an electrical engineer, transitioning into project management, and later venturing into supply chain contracts. Along the way, she sensed a gap in her knowledge.
To fill it, she pursued an MBA with a focus on finance. According to her, the key is to acknowledge that there's always something new to learn, and the pursuit of knowledge should never come to a halt.
Live it, apply it, and learn from doing. Experience is your best teacher in the investment game.
In the realm of project and construction management, Jessica recognizes that there are only a few women in her field. She emphasized a powerful message: that capability knows no boundaries—it's about what you can achieve, regardless of gender, age or where you come from. You can really be who you wanna be!
Learn more about how you too can become a member of our vibrant M51 community and connect with incredible women like Jessica by checking out one of our programs. Hope to see you further engage with us on our socials or in a future course!