NIGHATH ALI

AEC & Commercial Account Manager

Sterling Engineering, Inc.

Nighath Ali, who goes by Ali, is an AEC & Commercial Account Manager at Sterling Engineering, where she supports the local Manufacturing and AEC industries. Based in Chicago, her work is centered on connecting technical professionals with firms to help keep mission-critical, infrastructure, and engineering projects moving forward. She enjoys being a reliable point of contact for her clients and takes a straightforward, helpful approach to matching the right people with the right projects.

Outside of her daily work, Ali is involved in several local professional organizations. She served as an ambassador for Women in Construction at the Chicago Build Expo and currently serves on the Mentorship & Education and DEI committees with Professional Women in Construction (PWC). She also participates in VIA events throughout the Chicagoland area. These roles allow her to stay connected to the industry and help create a more supportive environment for others in technical fields.

Ali views her community work as a way to stay informed and better serve the people she works with every day. She is proud to be a part of the Chicago AEC and Manufacturing community and looks forward to supporting its continued growth.

Tell us why you choose to be a member of PWC Chicago. When I went to my first event, everyone was so nice and welcoming. They followed up afterwards just to see how I felt it went and if I was thinking of going to any other events.

What PWC Events do you enjoy attending? All of them! I always leave having learned something new and meeting someone new! How can I NOT enjoy that?

What other ways are you involved in PWC Chicago? I'm on the Mentorship & Education Committee, DEI Committee, and jump in to help wherever else I can when time allows it. 

Tell us about an accomplishment or milestone that you are proud of.  Hitting my 10-year anniversary with Sterling Engineering is an achievement I’m very proud of. To me, this milestone represents 10 years of building relationships in the Chicago AEC and manufacturing sectors. I couldn’t have imagined finding a professional home I wanted to stay with for this long until I started here. Even after a decade, I’m still learning every day, and I’m proud to be a consistent, reliable resource for my clients and my community. 

How have your career goals shifted or evolved over time? Early in my career, I was okay just mastering the technical side of the industry. However, as I became more involved with organizations like PWC and the VIA, my perspective shifted. I realized that my greatest impact doesn't come from just making a placement—it comes from building a safe, more inclusive and supportive community and helping others find their dream jobs. My goal has evolved from being a successful individual contributor to being a strategic advocate for mentorship, and helping others find the same support system that helped me move past my own hesitations.