Dr. Shabana Parvez, MD, FACEP, US Bureau Chief of The Desi Buzz and founder of ArlingtonIntegrative.com, sat down for an exclusive and insightful conversation with Meraj Samina Saleem, , President and Owner of InNova Consulting, Inc., Membership Committee Chair, Illinois Asian American Civil Engineers, and a Board Member of the Illinois Muslim Chamber of Commerce (ILMCC). During the discussion, Saleem shared her journey of working and leading in the male-dominated engineering and technology sector, reflecting on her deep, multigenerational ties to the field. A software engineer by profession, she is the daughter of a civil engineer, the wife of a structural engineer, and the mother of a civil engineer, underscoring how engineering has shaped both her professional path and personal life. The dialogue highlighted perseverance, leadership, and the growing role of women in shaping industries traditionally led by men.
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Background & Journey
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Before we talk about InNova Consulting and your leadership journey, take us back to the beginning. Growing up in a family of engineers across generations, what was your earliest memory that made you realize engineering would be part of your life—and did you already sense that this was a male-dominated world you would one day challenge as a woman?
Meraj Samina Saleem: Growing up, I was always drawn to the logic of mathematics; I loved the certainty that every problem had a definitive solution. While I initially dreamed of being a math teacher—often playing “school” with a chalkboard my mother hung in my room—my path eventually shifted toward the engineering. Interestingly, because I attended an all-girls high school, I didn’t truly grasp that engineering was a male-dominated field during my formative years. This environment was a blessing, as it allowed me to build confidence in my abilities without the weight of gender stereotypes.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: You began your professional journey as a software engineer. What inspired you to pursue computer science, and how did that foundation prepare you for leadership in engineering consulting?
Meraj Samina Saleem: I entered university in the mid-90s just as the IT industry was beginning to explode. I was drawn to the “instant gratification” of solving complex problems through code. Beyond just learning a language, computer science required mastering the art of debugging, which demands immense patience. That patience became the foundation of my leadership style; it taught me that achieving business goals requires the same attention to detail and persistence as solving a difficult line of code.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: As the daughter of a civil engineer, wife of a structural engineer, and now the mother of a civil engineer, how has this multi-generational engineering legacy influenced your personal and professional decisions?
Meraj Samina Saleem: Engineers are, by nature, very intentional and innovative problem solvers. Living within a family of engineers has reinforced my desire to be purposeful in every decision I make. Even the name of my firm, InNova Consulting, was an intentional choice; I wanted a name that represented innovation without locking the firm into a single, narrow engineering path.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: InNova Consulting was founded in May 2023. What gap did you see in the industry that motivated you to start your own firm?
Meraj Samina Saleem: I noticed a significant lack of Muslim women-owned businesses in the engineering sector. Unfortunately, women who are openly Muslim and wear the hijab often face unique hurdles in rising through traditional corporate ranks. I realized we often have to work “harder and smarter” to achieve the same recognition. I founded InNova to close that gap and create a space where excellence and identity go hand-in-hand.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: You’ve shared that your children were a key motivation behind launching InNova. How important was it for you to show them—especially your daughters—that women can lead in STEM and business?
Meraj Samina Saleem: It was vital. I wanted my children to see that being “different” isn’t a barrier; it can be your greatest strength. I wanted to model the belief that if you work with a pure niyat (intention) and remain sincere, God will bring barakah (blessing) into your efforts. Showing my daughters that they can lead as Muslim women is one of my proudest achievements.
Leadership & Business Vision
Dr. Shabana Parvez: InNova Consulting is a certified MBE/DBE/WBE firm. How have these certifications shaped your access to opportunities and partnerships?
Meraj Samina Saleem: These certifications are excellent tools for opening doors to new partnerships. However, my goal is to ensure InNova grows based on our reputation for excellence. While certifications get us to the table, it is our “good name” and the quality of our deliverables that keep us there.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: You often emphasize aligning People, Productivity, and Performance. How does this philosophy influence the way you lead teams and deliver projects?
Meraj Samina Saleem: We avoid micromanagement at InNova. My philosophy is simple: if you treat your people with respect and provide them with the right environment, productivity and high performance follow naturally. When staff feel valued, they take personal pride in the project’s success.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: You’ve overseen complex projects such as airport taxiway reconfigurations and municipal infrastructure improvements. What leadership qualities are essential when managing high-stakes, multi-disciplinary projects?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that I cannot do everything alone. Managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects requires surrounding yourself with team leaders who excel at listening—both to the client’s specific vision and to the needs of the staff delivering the work.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: What makes InNova Consulting different from traditional engineering firms when it comes to delivering practical, real-world solutions?
Meraj Samina Saleem: We are a small firm which allows us to be much more personal. We listen to our engineers and planners and give their ideas room to grow. We also encourage our staff to think outside the box and support them when they want to learn new skills. We don’t micromanage here. We believe if you treat people well the productivity and performance will follow.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: As President, how do you balance technical precision, business growth, and client satisfaction?
Meraj Samina Saleem: I rely heavily on my executive team and the “sounding boards” provided by professional communities like AMCOB and the Illinois Muslim Chamber of Commerce. While I am ambitious about growth, I refuse to scale at the expense of client or staff satisfaction. Those two factors are the true pulse of the company.
Industry Insight & Impact
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Infrastructure directly impacts communities. How do you ensure that your engineering and urban planning projects remain people-centric and future-ready?
Meraj Samina Saleem: We prioritize continuous learning. I encourage my team to attend conferences and stay at the forefront of new technologies and policies. By keeping our skills sharp, we ensure the infrastructure we plan today is ready for the demands of tomorrow.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: You also advise organizations on improving internal processes. What is the most common operational challenge you see across public and private sector clients?
Without a doubt, it is communication. Gaps in communication are detrimental to both client relationships and employee morale. My goal is to bridge those gaps to ensure everyone is aligned on the project’s objectives.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: With rapid advancements in transportation, urban planning, and sustainability, what excites you most about the future of engineering in the U.S.?
Meraj Samina Saleem: I truly believe the sky’s the limit right now. What excites me most is AI and the incredible potential it has to transform our industries. Whether it’s making transportation more efficient or helping us design smarter, more sustainable cities, the tools we have now allow us to solve problems faster than ever before. It’s a thrilling time to be an engineer because we’re not just building infrastructure; we’re using new technology to build a better quality of life
Women, Diversity & Community Leadership
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Engineering is still a male-dominated industry. What challenges have you personally faced as a woman in leadership, and how did you navigate them?
Meraj Samina Saleem: I have spent much of my career focusing on the work rather than the obstacles. While I acknowledge that I often have to work twice as hard to prove myself, I choose to focus on the mission at hand. My hope is that by doing the heavy lifting now, I am building a smoother foundation for my daughters and the women who follow.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Through your involvement with the Illinois Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Illinois Asian American Civil Engineers, why is community and industry advocacy important to you?
Meraj Samina Saleem: It is about having a collective voice. Individually, we may face discrimination or challenges, but as a community, we can advocate for one another and help each other grow.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: What advice would you give to young women and minority professionals who want to build careers—or companies—in STEM fields?
Meraj Samina Saleem: Do what you love! Be determined and don’t let life’s inevitable struggles stop you from fulfilling your potential. Hard work and persistence are the keys to any door.
Fun & Personal
Dr. Shabana Parvez: If you weren’t leading an engineering consulting firm, what career path would you have loved to explore?
Meraj Samina Saleem: I think I would have loved to explore a career in real estate.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: After managing demanding projects and teams, how do you unwind—any favorite hobbies or personal rituals that keep you grounded?
Meraj Samina Saleem: My favorite way to recharge is spending time with my children. They are adults now, and our conversations are incredibly fun and grounding for me.
Closing Message
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Engineering and infrastructure remain largely male-dominated fields. As a successful female founder, president, and role model, what message would you like to leave for our readers and viewers—especially young women and girls—who may hesitate to enter engineering or leadership because they don’t yet see enough women at the top?
Meraj Samina Saleem: Accomplishing what you love will never be easy, but the pride you feel when you check off those goals is worth every struggle. Have a plan, have faith in God, and never be afraid of hard work.
