Grisy Tocón | More Than Engineering: The Human Side of Project Management

Where It All Began

Some careers begin with a carefully planned choice. Others start much earlier, through curiosity, hands-on experience, and the inspiration of someone close.

For Grisy Tocón, Project Manager at Italtel Peru, engineering became part of her life at a very young age. Accompanying her father, an electrical technician, on maintenance jobs introduced her to a world that fascinated her: motors, electrical systems and the invisible force that powers everyday life.

“What started as helping my father gradually became genuine curiosity,” she recalled. “I wanted to understand how electricity worked and how engineering could improve people’s lives.”

That curiosity led her to study Electrical Engineering at the National University of Callao in Lima and later to complete a Master’s degree specializing in Project Management.

Today, after more than 18 years of professional experience, she combines solid technical expertise with the ability to coordinate people, resources and complex projects, helping customers successfully deliver critical infrastructures and services.

Bridging Technology and Teamwork

For Grisy, project management is much more than meeting deadlines or delivering technical solutions. It is about bringing together people, expertise and different perspectives to achieve a common goal.

“A project isn’t only about engineering. It’s about planning, coordinating people, managing resources, controlling costs and making sure everyone is working toward the same objective.”

Her background allows her to bridge the gap between engineering, logistics, finance and administration, ensuring that every function contributes effectively to the project’s success.

She believes that communication is one of a project manager’s most valuable skills. Anticipating issues, maintaining an open dialogue with customers and supporting the team through challenges are all essential to delivering successful outcomes.

For Grisy, this is also one of the most meaningful aspects of working at Italtel: the opportunity to collaborate with different teams, share expertise and face challenges together with a common goal.

“A project succeeds because of the people behind it.”

Creating Projects That Make a Difference

Throughout her career, Grisy has contributed to several complex initiatives, but one project remains especially meaningful: the infrastructure developed for the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima.

She led the management and technical activities for low-voltage systems in some of the event’s most iconic venues, including the Aquatic Center, the Athletics Stadium, the Sports Complex and the Velodrome.

What makes this achievement particularly rewarding is that these facilities continue to serve the community long after the sporting event ended.

“Knowing that I contributed to infrastructure that still benefits thousands of people gives me enormous satisfaction.”

Another milestone came earlier in her career, when she spent about 18 months working on a rural electrification project in Ayacucho, helping bring electricity to more than 400 communities.

For Grisy, that experience was about much more than engineering. It was an opportunity to improve everyday life, create new opportunities for local families and contribute to the development of entire communities.

Living far from home for over a year and being the only female engineer on the project challenged her professionally and personally. It also reinforced her confidence and confirmed that engineering was the path she wanted to pursue.

Leading with Determination and Empathy

Engineering and telecommunications continue to be industries where women are underrepresented, particularly in field operations.

When Grisy started her career—and later joined Italtel Peru—she was often the only woman on site. Today, she is pleased to see that things are changing. More women are joining engineering and project teams, bringing not only technical expertise but also empathy, different perspectives and a collaborative approach that enriches the way teams work together.

Rather than describing this as an obstacle, Grisy explains that she has learned to earn respect through competence, consistency and leadership:

“I’ve learned that being firm doesn’t mean losing empathy. You can take difficult decisions while always respecting people.”

She believes emotional intelligence, resilience and clear communication are essential qualities for any project manager. Challenges and unexpected situations are inevitable, but staying calm, listening to the team and making timely decisions are what ultimately keep projects moving forward.

For her, successful leadership means finding the right balance between technical expertise and the human side of every project.

Finding Balance On and Off the Court

Outside work, Grisy has another long-standing passion: volleyball.

Her role often requires working on site rather than remotely, sometimes including night shifts and demanding schedules. Balancing professional responsibilities with family life is not always easy, but she has learned how important it is to protect the moments that allow her to recharge.

She has been playing volleyball since she was ten years old and still trains several times a week, often sharing that time with her daughter.

For her, sport is the perfect way to disconnect from work, release stress and return with renewed energy. Maintaining that balance helps her face every professional challenge with focus, resilience and a positive mindset.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Looking back on her journey, Grisy has a clear message for young people—and especially for girls considering STEM careers.

“Choose something you are truly passionate about and never stop learning. Knowledge, preparation and perseverance will always open new opportunities.”

Her story reminds us that engineering is not only about technology. It is about creating solutions that improve people’s lives, building strong relationships and leading with both competence and empathy—values that Grisy brings every day to her work at Italtel Peru.