Melissa Graham: Driving marketing forward at Engen Lubricants
Melissa Graham has taken the next step in her career with her recent appointment as Marketing Manager for Engen Lubricants, bringing a broad marketing background and a career built on embracing opportunities to her new role.
Her career has taken her from call centres and sales into a diverse range of marketing environments, including finance, broadcast and consumer electronics, before ultimately bringing her into the petroleum and lubricants industry. Today, she is part of the team responsible for building the Engen Lubricants brand in a competitive and constantly evolving market.
We caught up with Melissa to talk about her career journey, leadership, working in an industry traditionally dominated by men, and what she believes it takes to build a successful and resilient future.
1. You’ ve recently stepped into the role of Marketing Manager for Engen Lubricants. Tell us a little about the career journey that brought you here.
This is a whirlwind of a story. My very first job was in a call centre answering phones and doing cold calls!‘ Old school’ sales, as it were. I have always been ambitious and taken each opportunity presented to me head on. I have been fortunate to grow in every field of marketing possible with each role that I have managed, from finance to broadcast to consumer electronics and eventually Petroleum! I always say“ Never say no when opportunity knocks” because it was precisely that type of opportunity that came knocking on my door which opened into Engen.
2. The automotive and lubricants industries have traditionally been male-dominated. What has helped you establish yourself and earn respect in your career?
I have always made a conscious effort to have both female and male mentors in my career. Nothing is ever a one-way street, and it is important to understand how successful people operate, regardless of their gender, and then take learnings from them. The best way to overcome these stereotypes is to have courage and go boldly, stick to your word, deliver and take ownership of both the good and the bad. If you fail, fail fast; if you succeed, smile and pat yourself on the back( for you!) and then keep on pushing for the next win.
3. From your experience, what does creating an environment where women can thrive look like in a traditionally maledominated industry?
It really is about owning one’ s space and knowing who one truly is. Nobody can take that away from you. Empowerment comes from within. When one empowers oneself, there is nothing quite like it. You know precisely who you are and what you can do, without being boastful, and that makes all the difference to how you show up, because you are showing up as your true self. When it comes to empowering women in my industry, I believe in mentoring and teaching. That was what made the biggest impact on my own career. I prefer guiding rather than telling and allowing each woman to come into her own with the right leadership and support. It is important to treat people the way you would like to be treated.
4. What lessons from your own career would you pass on to someone looking to build a successful career in the automotive or lubricants industry?
Once again, own your space and know who you are. Have courage, be kind and go boldly. Don’ t be afraid to take risks and if you truly believe in something, go for it! Always sharpen your pencil by keeping up to date with the on goings in your world and explore beyond your comfort zone, know what makes people tick in your industry and learn it. Most importantly, when things get tough, and they will, bite down and show some grit. Women who thrive in the face of adversity will always prosper. Oh, and remember to never compare yourself to anyone. Your journey to success is your own. My final message is to start with the small things, persevere through the hard things, and leave the world better than you found it.
5. Looking at your new role, what would you like to see for the women working within Engen Lubricants and the broader industry?
My vision would be for all the women to cheer each other on and truly support each other. It can become daunting when trying to prove yourself in an industry heavily skewed to men; so it is evermore important to clap for our fellow women and support them in growing their career. The wheel will always turn, and the same women you cheered for will cheer for you when the time comes. We must embrace a sense of sisterhood, particularly in the workplace.
6. Finally, if you could go back to the beginning of your career, what would you tell your younger self?
This is a tough one and brings a tear to my eye, if I am being honest. We( women) place so much weight on our own shoulders and always carry far too much. A metaphorical drum of steel. I would tell her to trust her gut, to not be afraid of the difficult days, the failures, or the moments when things don’ t go as planned. To keep moving forward( my favourite quote), to take the risks, surround herself with good people and remember that even the smallest actions can make a difference. That she doesn’ t need to change the whole world all at once; to focus on doing the little things well, to never give up, and to always leave people and places better than she found them, and that I am incredibly proud of her. Here’ s looking at you, kid!
SEPTEMBER 2026 17 WORDS IN ACTION