March 30, 2026 • 2 min read
Taking the leap, shaping a career across borders
You never know what will come from saying yes.
Starting as a Graduate Process Engineer in New Plymouth in 2020, Hannah Gumbley couldn’t have imagined how much opportunity awaited her. “I’ve always been fascinated by energy – how everything we do relies on it,” she says. “Worley was the obvious choice in New Zealand because of the role it plays in the energy sector.”
Stepping beyond the comfort zone
Six months later Hannah took a leap, accepting a rotation with one of our major oil and gas customers. What started as a six-month assignment then turned into a two-year journey offshore on the Maui platform.
“It was a turning point for me,” she says. “That experience changed how I see projects – not just the technical side, but how everything fits together.”
From project cost analysis to helicopter trips offshore, she gained firsthand insight into how decisions in the office can affect people on site. “It was character-building. I was 24, one of the only women offshore and I learned so much about leadership, collaboration and resilience.”
Building capability and confidence
Back onshore with the process engineering team in Auckland, New Zealand, Hannah focused on growing her technical expertise. When a mentoring opportunity came through the Women of Worley program, it led to something new. “My mentor introduced me to the advisory team of Worley Consulting. I didn’t even know that side of Worley existed,” she laughs.
She soon applied – and got the role. “It showed me the power of mentoring and putting your hand up. You never know what will come from saying yes.”
Advisory, adaptability and making a difference
Now a Senior Consultant in Worley Consulting’s advisory team, Hannah supports our energy and resource customers, helping them make data-driven decisions on major projects.
“I love the variety,” she says. “I could be in Adelaide, Australia, supporting a tier one operator or collaborating with Worley’s SMEs in London. We help translate technical data into insights that guide investment in emerging technologies. It’s rewarding to see the impact.”
She’s especially proud of projects that contribute to Australia’s decarbonization goals. “Working on energy projects, we explore technologies that could shape a lower-carbon future. It’s inspiring.”
Flexibility and finding balance
For Hannah, one word sums up her Worley journey: opportunity. And that opportunity is found not just at work, but in the balance created by more flexible work.
Outside work, Hannah competes internationally in triathlons, including the recent Half Ironman World Championships. “Training takes a lot of time, but Worley’s flexibility makes it possible. No one blinks if I start later after a morning swim – that support means everything.”
The support she’s found in her team has opened more doors than anticipated, and she has no plans of slowing down.
“In five years, I’ve lived in three cities, worked across different disciplines and learned from incredible mentors. Every time I’ve said yes to something new, it’s led somewhere better. That’s what makes Worley special – you can shape your own path.”
