Meet the Team
Yvonne Khor – Director
BEng(Struct) Hons | CPEng | NER | MIEAust | FIEAust
Yvonne (she/her) is a dynamic professional with over two decades of engineering experience. Loved for her contagious laughter that brightens every room, Yvonne has a profound love for life, food, and literature, finding joy in culinary exploration and immersing myself in books.
Yoga plays a crucial role in her daily routine, reflecting her dedication to holistic well-being.
Yvonne thrives on engaging in intellectually stimulating debates, particularly fascinated by discussions on the history of civilisations and the properties of herbs. My energetic personality and extensive engineering background drive me to tackle personal and professional challenges with passion and insight.
“I’ll always prioritise comfort over visual aesthetics, usually opting for a casual wardrobe that better suits my lifestyle.”
Paul Hovagimian – Director
BEng | CPENG | NER | MIEAust
Paul (he/him) is a seasoned professional with nearly two decades in the industry under his belt. Known for his vibrant style and disdain for black and white attire, you can be sure Paul will be sporting his signature fun socks, reflecting his love for vivid hues. He is a creative and considerate individual, who finds the intricacies of the mind more fascinating than physical experiences, often delving into deep conversations with those who engage him.
Paul’s quick wit and ability to deliver memorable one-liners effortlessly (especially referencing music from the 80s and 90s) bring joy to every interaction.
“’Bird is the word’ captures my playful spirit and love for avian creatures. I thrive on connecting with people, sharing insights, and exploring new ideas in both professional and personal setting.”
Hayley Chung – Senior Accountant
BAccy
Hayley (she/her) is our resident senior accountant with decades of professional experience across firms of varying sizes and scales. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and strategic financial insights, Hayley excels in financial management, compliance, and optimising business performance at all levels.
Beyond the world of finance, she finds joy in exploring the vibrant flavours of Asian cuisine, indulging in the intricate world of LEGO creations, and channeling her creativity through beading and jewellery making. This blend of analytical expertise and quite the creative flare result in dedicated precision and innovation for her craftsmanship, across both professional endeavors and personal pursuits.
“My creative outlet at the moment is knitting and crochet, the perfect mix of mathematics and textile crafts, it keeps me nimble.”
Michelle Fernandez – Accounts and Administration Assistant
BA
Michelle (she/her) helps keep the Hyve office running efficiently through her support across accounts, invoicing, and day-to-day administration – not to mention marketing! She brings a friendly, reliable voice to the team, assisting with financial processing, internal coordination, and client communication. With a strong focus on accuracy and organisation, Michelle makes sure the little things behind the scenes stay on track so our projects and people can operate at their best.
“I enjoy being the person who makes sure things run smoothly so the team can focus on what they do best.”
Tony Huang – IT Support
BEng(Software)
Tony (he/him) is one of our go-to IT specialists. With over a decade of experience in systems integration, cybersecurity, and infrastructure management, Tony has built a reputation for solving complex technical challenges with calm precision. He’s worked across both private and public sectors, supporting everything from small teams to national-scale networks.
“Technology should make life easier — not harder. I’m passionate about building intuitive, secure systems that empower people to focus on what they do best. Outside of work, I tinker with open-source projects and mentor aspiring coders because I believe tech literacy should be accessible to everyone.”
David Gaskell – Verifier
BEng(Struct & Civil) | CPEng | NER
David (he/him) is one of our trusted verifiers. Throughout his career, David has had the privilege of working in various water sector plants, including desalination facilities, water treatment plants, and pumping stations. The challenges and innovations in this field have continued to captivate him, driving David to take up work as an advisor to his fellow engineers later in his career.
“Water is my life. I’m deeply passionate about water management, especially in the regional context, and I dedicate myself to recycling and efficient delivery systems. My commitment to this cause is so profound that I operate my own trout farm and advocate strongly for clean energy, particularly green Hydrogen.”
Rod Wong – Verifier
BEng Hons
Rod (he/him) is a seasoned engineering mentor with over four decades of experience. Above all else, he is passionate about guiding the next generation. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, traveling and exploring new cultures, as well as golfing and playing soccer. Rod looks forward to indulging more in these hobbies while cherishing the legacy he’s tirelessly worked to build in engineering through his invaluable mentorship.
“My core ethos emphasises simplicity- ‘KISS’ (Keep It Simple, Silly) when it comes to understanding load path in designs.”
Dr. Caroline Houghton – Senior Bridge Engineer
PhD | BEng Hons | CPEng
Caroline (she/her) is a confident professional, passionate about outdoor adventuring and adrenaline activities. Together with her husband, she enjoys abseiling and canoeing, always embracing new challenges. She has an extensive portfolio of large-scale infrastructure and bridge developments, with over three decades of experience under her belt.
As an ex-Olympic water polo athlete, she thrives in high-pressure situations and values teamwork above all else.
“I love a challenge, recently I cycled over 3,000 kilometers across Europe!”
Costa Vasilli – Principal Electrical Engineer and Verifier
BEng(Electrical)
Costa (he/him) has considerable experience as a professional engineer, from power generation and transmission technologies, to heavy industrial and traction power. In his 45 years’ experience within both private and public sectors, he has undertaken project management and governance, engineering and design management, quality system development and management, and team management roles in a range of electrical, mechanical and multidiscipline projects for the power, mining and rail industries.
We are so grateful to Costa for delivering expert technical and quality assurances training around the clock. “At the moment I specialise in quality assurances and the ISO9001, keeping Hyve Designs accountable, we’re always growing!”
David Battenham – Principal Electrical Engineer and Verifier
BEng(Electrical)
David (he/him) is a highly experienced Electrical Engineer with a comprehensive background in power generation, instrumentation, and control systems. He has a proven track record in managing full project lifecycles, from initial concept through to successful commissioning, while driving continuous process improvements, ensuring regulatory compliance. David’s demonstrated leadership fosters high-performing teams, consistently achieving excellence in project outcomes. Adept at balancing technical expertise with strategic oversight, David always ensures project success and operational efficiency.
“Having worked with global OEMs and EPC companies, I’ve delivered a mixture of proven and cutting-edge technologies. This enables our clients to enjoy both the reliability and improved performance that our combination of traditional and innovative solutions delivers.”
David Cooper – Track and Civil Specialist
BEng(Civil) | NER
David (he/him) has been in the transport industry for over four decades, currently working as a Track and Civil Specialist Consultant at the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator. His expertise encompasses all rail and track developments, having been involved in the TfNSW track engineering standards with the Asset Standards Authority. David has conducted risk and safety assessments for a wide range of large-scale projects nation-wide.
“I like to stay busy, and am currently juggling a few advisory roles at Hyve Designs, TfNSW and ONRSR which keeps me on my toes!”
Ezrah Gaurana – Tender and Proposal Officer
BSc, Engineering
Ezrah (she/her) supports the Hyve team by preparing bids, proposals, and submission packages that showcase our technical capabilities. With a background in coordination and administration, she brings strong attention to detail, clear communication, and a calm, organised approach to tight deadlines. Ezrah helps keep our project pipeline moving smoothly by managing tender requirements, tracking opportunities, and working closely with our engineers to build polished, compelling proposals.
“I love turning technical ideas into clear, well-crafted submissions that help our team shine.”
James Lam – Civil & Structural Engineer | ESG
BEng Hons
James (he/him) is a young engineer with a passion for motorbikes, enjoying its hands-on maintanence and customisation. James has a deep appreciation for the arts, whether in theatrical performances or through immersive narratives of roleplaying games, he’s a drama queen at heart.
James never fails to bring a strategic and competitive edge, whether to game night or on-site, and has earnt recognition from co-workers and clients alike for his skill and leadership.
“In addition to my mechanical interests, I also enjoy competitive Badminton, demonstrating discipline in achieving my physical goals.”
Jordan Pearce – Civil & Structural Engineer
BEng(Struct) Hons
Jordan (he/him) is a dedicated professional with a love for cats, and always open to welcoming another furry friend into his life. A true homebody, he finds joy in board games and bingeing the latest Netflix special. We also enjoy his subtle infusing into conversations of mildly infuriating (but ultimately pretty charming) sarcasm.
His diverse interests extend to literature and films, indulging in a wide range of genres and cultures. Always on the move, Jordan recently arrived back from a trip to China!
“I approach both personal and professional challenges with a blend of curiosity, creativity, and a strong sense of empathy, fostering meaningful connections and contributing positively to every environment I inhabit.”
Jerry Chan – Civil & Structural Engineer
BEng Hons
Jerry (he/him) is a passionate engineer with a love for food and photography. He takes a thoughtful approach to civil engineering, often delving into intricate details that reflect his fascination with the subject. While he enthusiastically participate in board games nights, his dynamic attention span occasionally leads to comical scrambles during his turn, much to the dismay of his co-workers. Known for his contagious laughter, Jerry brings a sense of joy and positivity to any environment.
“Whether capturing moments with my camera or savoring culinary experiences, I enjoy taking my time to appreciate the finer aspects of life.”
James Li – Civil & Structural Engineer
BEng(Civil with Architecture) Hons
James (he/him) is a Sydney-local with a diverse range of interests and a unique perspective. In his free time, he enjoys immersing himself in video games with apocalyptic themes, appreciating their strategic depth and immersive narratives. Recently, he’s even taken up cycling as a new hobby, embracing new challenges and exploring the outdoors. He prioritises practical knowledge that enhances his skills and experiences, ensuring effective contribution across a range of environments.
“I believe that chopsticks are such versatile tools that they are the solution to many of life’s complications, reflecting my think-outside-the-box approach to problem-solving.”
Harry Dawson – Civil & Structural Engineer
BEng Hons
Harry is a passionate and detail-oriented structural and civil engineer who brings both curiosity and energy to every project. With a strong interest in continuous learning and problem-solving, Harry enjoys applying his technical knowledge to create sustainable and practical engineering solutions.
Outside of work, Harry leads an active lifestyle and enjoys a wide variety of sports — from basketball and Ultimate Frisbee to golf, volleyball, squash, and tennis. At home, Harry shares his space with two dogs, a cat, and a lively collection of birds, reflecting his love for animals and the outdoors.
“I’m also a keen reader, movie buff, and avid gamer, I enjoy learning and am always engaging with new media.”
Valentina Guarda – Civil & Structural Engineer
BEng(Civil with Architecture) Hons
Valentia (she/her) is a creative professional and architecture student with an engineering background from Argentina. She enjoys experimenting with makeup, watercolor painting, and sketching, and is very passionate about animals, particularly horses. An extravert at heart, she thrives in social settings, embracing diverse languages and cultures, seeking continuous learning and new challenges in engineering and architecture.
“My love for engineering and architecture was nurtured from a young age by the Sims 2.”
Chelsea Lin – Civil & Structural Engineer
BEng Hons
Chelsea (she/her) is a proud Chinese engineer with a passion for badminton, where her competitive spirit shines despite her soft-spoken and demure demeanor. Beyond sports, Chelsea is deeply fascinated by engineering, and is continuously striving to challenge her technical abilities through learning and hands-on projects. Her commitment to both personal growth and professional excellence drives her to excel in every endeavor she pursues.
“Despite living close to the beach, my preferences always lean towards physical activities over sunbathing. Staying active is a key part of my lifestyle, whether at the gym, on the court, or cycling.”
Marcus Khoo – Civil & Structural Engineer
BEng Hons
Marcus (he/him) is a curious and challenge-driven civil engineer who brings enthusiasm and a strong desire to learn to every project. Passionate about developing thoughtful and impactful engineering solutions, Marcus aims to contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable world through practical design and innovation.
Outside of work, Marcus enjoys gaming and unwinding in quiet spaces with music.
“I also find peace and inspiration in nature, and am always heading out on hikes and bushwalks to explore the outdoors.”