Since joining White Associates in 2023, Syranda Yukel has brought a diverse international background and a curiosity for the commercial side of construction. Having relocated from the United States to New Zealand, Syranda’s path into quantity surveying was unconventional, yet it has proven to be a powerful foundation for her recent promotion to Senior Quantity Surveyor.
With a Civil Engineering degree, Syranda began her career on the contractor side of the industry as a Project Manager within the design-and-build environment of the United States. Through this experience, she gained early exposure to cost management responsibilities, often performing functions typically associated with quantity surveying. Upon moving to New Zealand, the opportunity to formally step into a QS role felt like a natural progression. While the contractual frameworks differed, the fundamentals of good cost advice, commercial rigour, and collaboration remained consistent.
Throughout her time at White Associates, Syranda has developed a reputation for her diligence, depth of knowledge and balanced approach. She has worked across the full project lifecycle, from early‑stage estimating and high‑level budgeting through to detailed post‑contract administration. This end‑to‑end exposure has been instrumental in her development, enabling her to understand not just how costs are established, but how early decisions influence outcomes during construction.
A number of complex projects have played a pivotal role in accelerating Syranda’s confidence and capability. Her involvement in the Christchurch Engine Centre projects, working alongside Project Manager JLL and client Pratt & Whitney, included contributing to initial project estimating and the independent review of significant costs throughout construction. This required close collaboration with the project team and client to ensure transparency, accuracy, and alignment at all stages.
On highly detailed hospitality projects such as Nugget Point Hotel, later rebranded as Coronet Ridge Resort with New Bay Group, Syranda managed hundreds of contract instructions and variations. Her attention to detail on this project demonstrated how genuine commercial value is achieved through thorough assessment and careful administration. Collectively, these experiences have reinforced her commitment to fair and reasonable outcomes, ensuring all stakeholders feel informed, supported, and heard.
Equally important to Syranda’s development has been the culture at White Associates. She credits the open and collaborative environment, along with the willingness of senior colleagues such as Elliot Smith, Justin Maritz and Paul Crockett, to invest time for discussion and problem‑solving, as key factors in her development. Having the confidence to ask questions, talk issues through, and seek guidance has allowed Syranda to grow with assurance rather than isolation.
Looking ahead, Syranda is motivated to continue delivering high‑quality outcomes for clients while expanding her contributions at a senior level. She is eager to support and mentor newer team members, sharing both technical knowledge and the importance of clear, concise communication – an essential ingredient for successful projects.
Syranda’s progression to Senior Quantity Surveyor reflects not only her technical capability, but also her thoughtful approach to collaboration, communication, and leadership. Her journey exemplifies how White Associates supports individual development while maintaining a strong collective commitment to excellence, for our people, our clients, and the projects we deliver.