Several iXPA talents have already featured in this section—profiles such as Larissa Araujo or Tatiana Moura who, in addition to being women with STEM backgrounds, also share a nationality. All of them are from Brazil, a country that has become one of the pillars of ACCIONA’s infrastructure activity thanks to projects such as São Paulo’s Line 6–Orange.
The multinational began operating there relatively recently, but it’s already a region exporting talent trained on its projects to the rest of the world. That’s the case of Leticia Oliveira França, a young civil engineer who, at just 27, is now developing her career in Canada, where she has been living since July 2024. We spoke to her to understand what motivates her, what her dreams are and why she chose iXPA to make them a reality.
Before going any further, a brief reminder of what iXPA is: ACCIONA’s leadership programme designed to promote the training and internationalisation of young talent, now in its fourth edition. But back to Leticia. “When I was younger, I always wanted to travel abroad. I really wanted to learn about new cultures and live outside my country. At university, I had the opportunity to study in France for a year. I studied there and also did my internship,” she explains.
However, the desire to live abroad was only one of her motivations. “When I went back to Brazil to finish my studies, I was looking for an international company where I could have that opportunity, but also the chance to keep growing in terms of knowledge.”
And this is where the programme that gives this section its name comes into play: “What I found in iXPA was a programme that was not only about working at ACCIONA. You also study, learn about the company and develop yourself within it. That’s what really pushed me to join—not just the idea of living abroad.”
Before focusing on her current destination in Canada, it’s worth looking back at the steps that led her there and to her current role as Project Coordinator on the Ontario Line.
As we have seen with several of our interviewees, there are sometimes long family traditions of engineers—but that was not the case for Leticia. “I was the first person in my family who wanted to study engineering. My mum works in insurance and my dad is a police officer, so I was not following a set family path. They were very open to me choosing my own path.”
So if it was not her family background, what led her down that road? “Because I was good at maths, I first thought I might become a maths teacher. But my teachers suggested that I should try engineering instead.” Then something clicked: “I did a technical course in high school and realised that was what I wanted to do. I wanted to build something that truly transforms people’s lives, and I think construction is one of the few careers where you can really do that.”
Asked to be more specific, she adds: “If you build a house, you are improving someone’s life. If you build a road, the same happens. That’s what pushed me towards civil engineering.” The decision was made: she would study civil engineering at UNESP, the São Paulo State University, even though the degree was taught in a city 700 kilometres away from the capital.
Once at university, any doubts disappeared. “I remember thinking that I wanted to specialise in infrastructure. It’s something I am really passionate about. I was always thinking about roads, bridges, major infrastructure projects. ACCIONA is making those university dreams come true, allowing me to work on infrastructure projects and see them transformed in a sustainable way.”
Leticia grew up in the city of São Paulo, a place where, as she puts it, “you have a lot of opportunities.” During her secondary school years, she began studying English, took a Spanish course and started learning French in anticipation of studying in Europe. “My university also had a programme with China, through the Confucius Institute, so I studied a bit of Mandarin for around two years.” Clearly, engineering was not her only talent.
While still at university, Leticia began to feel drawn to a specific branch of civil engineering. “When I went to France to study, as I completed the final year of my degree there, I chose what they call public transportation, which mainly covers bridges, tunnels and roads.”
What was her final degree project about? “For my research in Brazil I studied the use of sustainable materials in construction, such as bamboo in concrete. But since I completed my final year in France, my thesis there focused on the renovation of buildings.”
Although she completed an internship at a French company, Leticia had not yet entered the professional world. She returned to Brazil to begin her search. What criteria guided her decision? “I started looking for a company that offered training programmes. It was a time when many companies had them, so I focused on construction firms aligned with sustainability and innovative solutions.”
One candidate soon stood out. “ACCIONA was one of the first companies that came to mind because of the São Paulo metro line. As I wanted to work in infrastructure, it was one of the first options.” And then she brings it closer to home: “ACCIONA is changing the city. I grew up in a neighbourhood far from the city centre, so I know how much a metro line can transform people’s lives. That made me want to join the company.”
Her decision was reinforced by other factors. “When I researched more about ACCIONA—how it works, how it engages with communities and the sustainable values it pursues—I knew I wanted to work there and continue my career there.” She adds: “I also saw that they were hiring many women for key roles in the metro tunnels and training people from the community so they could find work. At first you read about it, but once I joined I could see that it was really happening.”
She also had a friend working at ACCIONA as an intern, who encouraged her to apply. “I started checking when the training opportunities would open, because it was something I was already looking for. When I saw the iXPA call, I really liked the idea of working in different areas—starting in construction, then moving into design, getting a global view of a project, while also taking iXPA classes that give you insight into other projects.” It was the very first iXPA edition so it could be said she was something of a pioneer. She smiles and nods.
What stood out when she arrived? “One of the first things was that my manager in Brazil was a woman. When you see so many women in leadership positions and real equality, you realise you can grow in the company.” She takes the opportunity to mention her role models: “I look up to people from my past, like former bosses, but also my mum. She’s now in a senior position and was promoted to a leadership role.”
Another aspect that caught her attention was the learning environment. “One thing I really enjoy at ACCIONA is the people. They are welcoming and willing to teach you. I did not arrive knowing everything, but I knew I could ask for help. It’s a company that truly embraces you and wants you to grow—it’s real, not just on paper.”
That first iXPA cohort included around fifty Brazilians, alongside colleagues from countries such as Spain or Australia in the online sessions. The international atmosphere only reinforced expectations of the next phase abroad. “It was exciting because we did not know where we would end up. Directors from different countries talked about potential projects, and everyone was thinking, ‘I might go here or there.’ It was a wonderful environment.”
Leticia also speaks fondly of the friendships forged along the way, with colleagues she is still in touch with across different countries and projects. “We created a strong connection, and it’s good to know that we are in different projects but can still talk and stay in touch throughout our journey at ACCIONA.”
When asked about her first responsibilities at the company, she returns to Line 6—this time from the inside. “At the beginning I was working on site at one of the stations, coordinating activities, making sure we stayed on schedule and checking materials. When I arrived, the station was finishing the main civil works and starting the final finishes, like tiles, floors and walls.” It was an intense experience. “Construction work is intense, especially with deadlines. You really have to be there, but it was something I truly enjoyed.”
After around seven months, Leticia moved into an office role. “I started working with the structural designer, and it was great because I was working on the same station. I already knew the challenges. It was a fantastic transition, being able to see both sides—the construction side and the technical side. That rotation is a big part of iXPA.”
She returns to the social impact of the project in her hometown. “When you walked around, people would ask when the metro was going to be ready because they looked forward to use it. The perception in the community was very positive.”
That rotation between roles and the international training were only part of the iXPA experience. The next phase was still to come. “During the programme, they asked which countries you would like to work in before sending you to the final destination.” How does the process work? “We record a video interview and send it to other ACCIONA projects, which then come back with a role. I already had Canada in mind—the Toronto subway project sounded very appealing.”
She continues: “In the early stages they were very open and flexible. They want you to feel comfortable in your role. Even when I arrived in Canada, the leaders were open to offering other roles if I wanted to try something different.” Eventually, it was agreed that she would join the construction of the Ontario Line. “We have only just started. We are building the foundations now, so it’s still a very early stage.”
For now, her role is office-based, but she expects to move on site as the project progresses. “I plan to work on site in the future, but right now I really enjoy this role. You get the full picture—planning, tracking, understanding what is happening—and I am learning a lot.”
When asked about the most distinctive aspects of her day-to-day work, Leticia is clear. “The company has given me responsibility from the very beginning. They trust you more and more over time. I started with one task and now I have increasing responsibilities.” She adds: “I can really see how I am growing and how my path is taking shape.”
Leticia is enjoying the experience, although adapting to her new environment has not been without challenges. “Adapting to the climate has been the hardest part. São Paulo is a big city too, so that did not feel very different. At first the snow was nice—it felt like a Christmas film.” But the reality soon set in. “Here it gets dark very early, and you really need to adapt, especially with the cold and the wind.”
Still, she is not easily discouraged. “It’s a challenge, but a manageable one. You have to think differently about winter activities. I tried skiing last year and realised it’s harder than it looks. I might give it another go this year. Ice skating… let’s just say I am not very good at it. I am the kind of person who needs to hold on to the walls all the time,” she laughs.
Just as Leticia was clear about wanting to develop her career abroad, she is equally determined to continue growing within ACCIONA. “Right now I want to grow in the infrastructure field, maybe in metro projects or stations. My goal is to eventually reach a management position. It takes time, but it’s something I want to achieve.”
Leticia is still taking her first professional steps, but she already seems to have found a place where she can continue to grow—and reach her full potential.