Having spent over three decades in the industry, Yogen’s journey began straight after secondary school. Inspired by his cousin’s construction company back home, he learned the trade from the ground up, working onsite before pursuing studies in quantity surveying, known in Australia as estimating. It was here he discovered his true calling: balancing technical precision with people-first leadership.
“At the end of the day, subcontractors are the ones whose work speaks directly to the client,” Yogen reflects. “Our role as a head contractor is to recognise that contribution and manage it with courtesy and respect. Strong relationships build strong outcomes.”
That same philosophy has shaped his life beyond construction. For more than 25 years, Yogen has been a driving force within Melbourne’s Indian community, serving as a Trustee and event organiser for Australian Indian Innovations Inc. and helping bring some of the city’s largest Indian festivals to life. His commitment to community extends further through philanthropy; supporting the Friends of the Children Foundation in raising funds for Monash Children’s Hospital and as a Multicultural Ambassador for the Mental Health Foundation of Australia, where he advocates for inclusion and social wellbeing.
At the heart of it all is a simple but powerful belief: “Family first.” For Yogen, work is not separate from community; both are about integrity, responsibility, and purpose. “I’ve always been out there in the community; learning, promoting, advising. Work and community are not separate for me; they are both about people and purpose.”
This alignment of personal and professional values mirrors McCormack’s mission to provide a great place to work, apply excellence every day, and recognise that true success comes from investing in people. Yogen embodies what it means to lead with respect and empathy. His career may be built on technical expertise, but it is his cultural awareness and people-focused approach that set him apart.
By inspiring collaboration both within and beyond McCormack, Yogen reflects the very essence of our Family Built ethos, reminding us that while buildings may be made of concrete and steel, it is people who truly shape their success.