We're a team of over 23,000 people in 64 countries, each person bringing their own perspective, experience and expertise. Here's a chance to meet some of them.
Jacquelina Dankfort
Operations Director, Latin America
As Operations Director for Latin America, I work closely with our regional teams to strengthen operational alignment and support business growth across the region. I mentor our bidding and communications colleagues to help showcase our capabilities to the market in a clear, strategic and compelling way.
I began my career in Brazil working in port and environmental planning, where I developed the strategy for relocating the Port of Rio de Janeiro’s operations to support the urban redevelopment of the area. I later joined an infrastructure research programme at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, sponsored by the Dutch Ministry of Economy, focusing on value creation through port planning and supply chains. During this time, I completed a Master in Technological Design.
Following this, I completed an MBA and a doctorate, collaborating with international universities on research and innovation initiatives while lecturing at leading universities in São Paulo.
Returning to industry, I held senior leadership roles in project management, asset management, key account management, and business development across infrastructure and corporate environments. Before joining Turner & Townsend, I founded and led three businesses, including a design and project management consultancy, delivering projects across the corporate occupier, retail and industrial sectors for 15 years.
“If we focus on the wellbeing of our people, this will bring out the best in them and make the difference in how we serve our clients.”
2025
Promoted to Operations Director Latin America
2024
Appointed Business Generation Lead for Latin America
2017
Promoted to Country Manager, Mexico
2016
Appointed Infrastructure Director, Brazil
2014
Joined Turner & Townsend as Project Management Director, Brazil
Q. What attracted you to join Turner & Townsend?
A. I was attracted by the need to establish our Latin America business, as I had done previously starting and developing new businesses in Brazil and Mexico. The fact that we are a partnership required a different operational approach to what I was used to, and I have loved that challenge.
Q. How has your career at Turner & Townsend developed?
A. I joined our business as Project Management Director in our São Paulo office in Brazil, where I later assumed the role of Infrastructure Director. A few years into these roles, I started actively growing our presence in new Latin America markets and then, after a temporary posting, was offered to move to Mexico as Country Manager and open our office in Mexico City. In 2024, I also assumed the role of Business Generation Lead for Latin America, continuing my passion for business development. Since 2025 I’ve been our Operations Director for Latin America.
Q. Which project are you most proud of being involved in at Turner & Townsend?
A. Developing global accounts in the Latin America region has been a fulfilling experience as we connect with clients and project teams from around the world to ensure global best practice with local insights.
Q. How do you contribute to Turner & Townsend making a difference?
A. believe my biggest contribution is developing good relationships with clients and colleagues and aligning our team with client and business objectives. As a global professional services consultancy, we’re a people business. It’s important as a leader that I build strong, long-term connections with our clients and the market as well as with colleagues to integrate the business, maintain quality and consistency in delivery across different countries and develop talent.
Q. What do you most enjoy most about working at Turner & Townsend?
A. The fact that we're very dynamic as a global consultancy, allowing us to continuously learn new things and utilise our global footprint to work with colleagues and clients from all cultures.
Q. How do you see your career progressing at Turner & Townsend?
A. There are always new opportunities to progress as our business grows. I prefer activities that keep me connected to the wider business, and as I come from an academic background, I have a passion for teaching and training people, which becomes useful as we continue to grow the business.
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