ABOUT MALIA LYM
ON A MISSION TO DEVELOP CONFIDENT WOMEN LEADERS
Malia Lym is an Oil & Gas Global Engineering Specialist with over 10 years experience. A USC alumn with a M.S. in Engineering Management, she has successfully completed multi-million dollar in projects and programs for Fortune 100 companies worldwide. Her experience in a male-dominated field is what led her to work with women in a new way.
Today, Malia is a Principal Mechanical Engineer, career strategist, and leadership trainer helping advance women in STEM. She is passionate about teaching women in STEM how to become effective leaders and high achievers. Her workshops, speeches, and 5-step framework show women how to be successful in and shatter the glass ceiling.
Hi,
I'm Malia Lym, and as the CEO of Savvy LeadHER, I'm on a mission to help women thrive in male-dominated industries like STEM. Having been a woman in manufacturing and engineering myself, I understand the unique challenges we face in these fields. I've managed multi-million dollar projects for some of the biggest manufacturing companies in the world. Often the only woman and youngest specialist and licensed professional engineer, I know first hand what it takes to succeed in these environments.
But it hasn't always been easy – I've faced my fair share of obstacles, from chronic illness to ADHD to workplace bias. Despite it all, I still achieved my professional dreams, and now I want to help other women do the same. With my passion for empowering women and my expertise in navigating these workplaces, I am confident that I am the best person to help other professional women overcome the barriers holding them back and achieve their goals.
I am on a mission to help women tap into their highest potential and lead their organizations to new heights.
IT’S ALL ABOUT MY CLIENTS
At Savvy LeadHER, we are passionate about empowering our clients to succeed in their careers. Our clients have achieved remarkable success, including getting raises, promotions, and assignments to high-profile projects. They have also been given opportunities to direct programs and gain valuable mentorship from senior leaders in their organizations. Our clients have learned their true value and have become more confident in their abilities to contribute to their organizations and industries.
We work with our clients to help them navigate workplace challenges, advocate for themselves, and develop the skills and strategies necessary to succeed in their careers. Our approach is practical and tailored to each client's unique situation, and we are committed to supporting them every step of the way.
Through our work together, women are playing the game and playing to win, with the confidence and support of Savvy LeadHERs behind them.
WHY I STARTED SAVVY LEADHER
Only months before my 10-year as an engineer, my family rushes me to the ER after regaining consciousness...
I doubt they knew I almost died moments before. As I saw "The Light," I was told, "It is not your time." I spent the following weeks in the hospital fighting, not only for my life but for the life that grew inside me.
At 6 weeks pregnant, my morning sickness was so severe that it was classified as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a rare condition only occuring in .5 to 2% of pregnant women, causing extreme dehydration and agonizing starvation. After being tube fed for months more, now with a small baby bump, I was cleared and returned to work. But I was not the same person.
I imagined my 10-year celebration as an engineer would highlight all I had accomplished and ignite new excitement for the next 10 years. But I had a new perspective on life after surviving a dance with death - while also awaiting a new baby, my first baby. With a second chance at life, I knew I wanted to do more than crush my career.
I want to help other engineers, mothers, passionate professionals, and women like me do the same. I want to be the change that helps our world be ready for the little girls who will be the next generation of leaders. I now use this second chance at life to make an impact.
And so a few months later, after soul searching and prayer, Savvy LeadHER™ was born. #purposedriven #hyperemesisgravidarum #HGsurvivor
I am on a life's mission to help women in STEM reach their professional potential.
FUN FACTS
I'm a California native who now calls Orlando, Florida home. As an Career Strategist for Women in STEM, I'm fortunate to work with clients from all over the world. When I'm not coaching, I'm busy raising my amazing daughter with my husband, Andrew.
In my downtime, I love to unwind with TV shows like Game of Thrones and indulge in my favorite food, sushi. Fun fact: I've loved science and engineering since I was a kid. In elementary school, I conducted experiments with mouthwash and took things apart to see how they were built.
As a collegiate athlete, I ran track (hurdles) and also held leadership positions in organizations like Delta Theta Sorority Incorporated and NSBE. Throughout my career, I've continued to be an active member of various employee resource groups (ERGs) and have even held positions as a chairperson.
After earning my Professional Engineer’s License in Mechanical Engineering, I went on to earn a Master's in Engineering Management from the University of Southern California. And when I graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA from USC, I celebrated by wearing a crown - not only did it make it easier for my family to spot me in the crowd, but it also made for some fun graduation photos!
Today, I'm proud to be a Principal Mechanical Engineer working on Carbon Capture systems in industrial manufacturing facilities. I love my job and my leadership fully support my passion and coaching business. I look forward to continuing to help my clients achieve their goals.
Malia Lym PE
Relatability
I’ve walked the path that many of you are on right now. As a woman in STEM, specifically in the oil & gas energy manufacturing industry, I know what it’s like to navigate a male-dominated workplace. I started my career as a mechanical engineer, facing the same challenges many of you are familiar with—feeling like the only woman in the room, balancing professional growth with personal life, and striving to break through barriers that sometimes felt insurmountable.
I’ve been the first, the youngest, and often the only woman in many rooms. I’ve faced struggles, including the difficult decision to step back from my technical career when I became a mom because finding a remote role that fit my background and interests was nearly impossible. But I didn’t let these challenges stop me. Instead, I turned them into opportunities to grow, lead, and, ultimately, help other women do the same.
Credibility
With over a decade of experience as a global fixed equipment engineering specialist, I’ve made significant strides in my career. At Chevron, I started a fired heater specialty, leaving a global impact before moving on to new challenges. I also hold a master’s in Engineering Management from USC, which has been instrumental in shaping my approach to managing complex projects and leading teams. My programs leverage core principles of project management, corporate networking, and leadership to help women align their career goals.
Today, as the CEO of Savvy LeadHER, Career Strategist and LinkedIn Top Voice for Career Development, I’m on a mission to empower women in STEM to elevate their careers confidently and strategically. I’ve created a range of training and coaching programs designed to break down the barriers that often hold women back in these fields. I’ve mentored young women engineers, provided DEI consultation, and now run The Savvy Pack, a community dedicated to helping women in STEM achieve their goals without burnout.
Intention
My mission with Savvy LeadHER is to help women in STEM lead with confidence. Whether you’re looking to fast-track your career in STEM, overcome workplace challenges, or simply find a community that understands and supports your journey, I’m here to help.
I’m not just here to offer advice—I’m here to walk this journey with you. Through our community, training programs, and resources, I aim to provide the tools and support you need to succeed on your terms.
If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, check out our programs and join The Savvy Pack. Together, we’ll navigate the complexities of your career and help you achieve your ambitions.
Thank you for being part of this incredible community.