From tools to leadership - New MD sets a premium standard
Transit Systems Victoria has appointed Ellearn Savvidis as Workshop Assets Manager at its Footscray depot, marking a significant milestone in both her career progression and the increasing representation of women in the mechanical and transport industries.
Ms Savvidis began her career more than a decade ago as a mechanic at Mercedes-Benz, where she was the first female to join the workshop floor at her site.
“Ten years ago, when I first started on the tools, I was the only woman in the workshop and it definitely turned heads.
“Today, there are multiple women across workshop and operational roles and seeing that change has been incredibly encouraging,” she said.
After leaving Mercedes-Benz, Ms Savvidis joined Transit Systems in a Workshop Scheduler role, focused on data and asset coordination. While the role provided strong operational insight, she saw opportunities to make a broader impact.
“I wanted to contribute more and help shape processes. The leadership team has been incredibly supportive and I’ve always felt comfortable asking for guidance. They check in and share their experiences, while backing me to take the next step,” she said.
With a technical foundation built in a premium global automotive environment, Ms Savvidis is bringing a strong process-driven mindset to her new role.
“At Mercedes-Benz, every vehicle that came through the workshop followed a clear, structured process from drop-off to pick-up. There was pride in every detail.
“I’m applying that same mindset to our buses – taking pride in the fleet, ensuring high standards, and delivering an elevated quality of work that is consistent from start to finish.”
Ms Savvidis said she hopes her promotion to Workshop Asset Manager demonstrates the breadth of opportunity available in the industry.
“I want other mechanics, and especially women to see that there’s a future here. There are real pathways to leadership in public transport and heavy vehicles,” she said.
Transit Systems Victoria Managing Director George Konstantopoulos said Ellearn’s appointment reflects the commitment to developing industry talent and creating strong career pathways across workshop and operational teams.
“One of my priorities as a catalyst for change at Transit Systems is ensuring our industry is seen as a place where people can build a genuine, rewarding career – one that is reliable, exciting, and more than just a job.
“When young people and females see someone who’s worked their way up and earned a leadership position, it makes career progression very real and achievable.
“Having progressed from apprentice-level technical work to a management role, Ms Savvidis is an inspiration to the industry. ,” he said.
Ms Savvidis said with more electric buses and advanced diagnostics becoming common, the technical side of the industry is also evolving quickly.
“There’s a real crossover now between automotive skills, technology and data, which is exciting for younger generations.”
She said creating visible pathways for women and apprentices is an important part of building a sustainable workforce for the future. Looking ahead, Ms Savvidis defines success in simple but powerful terms.
“For me, success means strong morale in the workshop, a team that enjoys coming to work, and safe buses that we are proud of sending out into the community.
“I want to lead by example, set clear standards and processes, and inspire others to keep improving. If the team is proud of their work and feels supported, we will deliver the best possible services to the community,” she said.
