Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders in Construction and Civil Works of 2023. In the United States, the construction and civil works industry has gained a notable reputation for spearheading economic growth and fortifying infrastructure development across the nation. With a well-established framework of laws and regulations, the country has successfully undertaken diverse projects ranging from residential buildings to highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, and dams.
The rise of women leaders in construction and civil works showcases a remarkable transition within an industry that has long been dominated by men. As more women enter this field, they bring diverse perspectives, innovative ideas, and fresh approaches to problem-solving, ultimately leading to improved project outcomes. Alongside breaking down gender barriers, these female leaders have displayed exceptional skills in project management, strategic decision-making, and fostering a collaborative work environment. Their inclusion promotes diversity and inclusivity among teams while inspiring future generations of women to pursue careers in this sector.
Christine Estes stands out as an accolade recipient this year due to her remarkable aptitude showcased throughout her career managing large-scale water resources engineering and mapping agreements for various governmental clients at Federal, state, and municipal levels—garnering her over a decade's worth of project management expertise.
This year's award also includes Sanja Zlatanic, HNTB's Senior Vice President and Chair of National Tunnel Practice, who played a key role in overseeing all aspects of multi-billion-dollar projects, including feasibility studies, conceptual engineering, and final construction. Lastly, Tamsin Silvester is a highly skilled senior project manager boasting more than 20 years of experience in technical, professional, and engineering management appointments.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders in Construction and Civil Works of 2023. These women have proven that gender should never be a barrier to success, and their achievements serve as a testament to the limitless potential within this industry.
1. Jenessa Miglietta
VP of Strategy & Development - Special Projects, CRH
Jenessa Miglietta leads various special projects for CRH in North America. She first joined CRH in 2018. A Fortune 500 company, CRH is the leading provider of building materials solutions that build, connect, and improve our world. Employing 75,800 people at 3,160 operating locations in 29 countries, CRH has market leadership positions in both North America and Europe. CRH is an essential partner for road and critical utility infrastructure, commercial building projects, and outdoor living solutions.
Over the past decade, Jenessa has led over $1B in business acquisitions and divestitures, guided operational and commercial strategy processes for companies under the CRH umbrella in both the United States and Canada, founded a Women’s Employee Resource Group, and now leads the CRH Americas Sustainability Steering Committee. Jenessa earned her Honors in Business Administration and MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University.
2. Karen Freund
VP of Buildings & Infrastructure in Canada and Geographic Sales Manager, Jacobs
Karen is a Vice President and Geographic Sales Manager for Jacobs Canada. In this role, she is responsible for organic and strategic business development of the buildings and infrastructure business within Canada. She is responsible for driving growth, considering both near and long-term perspectives. Karen has worked in the infrastructure engineering and construction industry for over 30 years and is known for her inclusive and supportive leadership style. She brings strong business acumen and has a history of delivering positive results in company profitability, growth, and diversification. Karen has a track record of establishing and growing successful and profitable lines of business. She brings a strong commitment to excellence, relationships, internal and external customer service, and innovation.
After receiving her undergraduate degree in civil engineering, Karen began her career as an engineer and project manager, working primarily on transportation projects. She has worked around the world including living several years in both the UK and the US. In addition to her expertise in transportation engineering, she has developed expertise in alternative procurement and delivery, strategic planning, sustainable design/resiliency, and program management. Her key professional interests include social value/benefits, sustainable design/resiliency, program management, alternative/collaborative delivery models, and building and community design to support the well-being and independence of the aging.
3. Christine Estes
VP and Department Manager Floodplain Analysis & Engineering, AECOM
Christine Estes is the Vice President and Department Manager of Floodplain Analysis and Engineering of AECOM. Estes is an experienced Department Manager and Professional Engineer with over 20 years of experience working in the civil and environmental engineering industry, as well as more than a decade of project management experience managing multi-discipline teams for large water resources engineering and mapping contracts for Federal, state, and municipal clients. Estes is the Department Manager for AECOM’s Flood Risk Solutions group located in Germantown, MD. This group comprises more than 40 staff specializing in water resources, coastal engineering, mapping, risk assessment, Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) processing, hydrology and hydraulics, and technical support to the FEMA Production and Technical Services (PTS) contracts.
Her areas of expertise include hydrologic, hydraulic, and water quality modeling, watershed planning, risk analysis, and floodplain and stormwater management. She was the task order manager for FEMA Region 3’s $16M coastal study, which recently came to a successful completion. She currently serves as the Mapping Program lead and Standard Operations Task Order Manager for Compass, a Joint Venture serving FEMA's Risk MAP program. She received her undergraduate degree in civil engineering from the University of Virginia and her master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Virginia Tech.
4. Anita Nelson
Chief Strategy Officer, Skanska USA Building
Anita Nelson is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Skanska USA Building, a leading construction firm in the US. A member of the Senior Leadership Team, she collaborates with leaders across the company to identify, develop, and implement strategic and operational initiatives that ensure the health, resiliency, and sustainability of the business. She oversees an organization of strategy, marketing, business development, innovation, and data and analytics professionals. Her work informs long-term business planning and objectives, creating internal alignment and driving engagement with customers and partners. Her role includes overseeing business operations for Skanska Integrated Solutions, the program management and consulting arm of Skanska, to further optimize alignment and strategy across the company.
Nelson first got her start in 2004 as a marketing coordinator at Tishman, before eventually rising to SVP of strategy and construction services at AECOM, her most recent position before joining Skanska USA Building. Nelson graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with an MBA and from Wake Forest University with an undergraduate degree in English and communication.
5. Carol Hufnagel
National Wet Weather Practice Leader, Tetra Tech
Carol Hufnagel is Tetra Tech's National Wet Weather Practice Leader. Tetra Tech is a leading, global provider of consulting and engineering services. They are differentiated by Leading with Science® to provide innovative technical solutions to their clients. They support global commercial and government clients focused on water, environment, sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, and international development. With 27,000 associates worldwide, Tetra Tech provides clear solutions to complex problems. Carol has worked on combined sewer overflow (CSO), sanitary sewer overflow (SSO), and stormwater projects for more than 35 years.
Hufnagel’s expertise includes CSO and SSO control planning and implementation, green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), regulatory policy, and hydraulics and hydrology. She received her undergraduate degree and master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Michigan.
6. Libby Gillen
VP of Design Segment - Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering
Libby Gillen is the Vice President of Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering’s Design Segment. She joined the company in April 2023 with a primary objective of engaging and collaborating with architecture and design firms across North America. Since assuming her position, she has developed an innovative strategy for seamless collaboration with Momentum’s national and local representatives. Libby is a dedicated team player, known for her hands-on approach. She works closely with the product development team to effectively share insight, preferences, and design plans with the architecture and design community. Furthermore, she plays a key role in training sales associates on the intricacies of the designer sale cycle.
Libby's avid love of fine arts led her to pursue an interior design degree from Syracuse University. She began her career as a designer at John Hancock headquarters and subsequently honed her skills in several top-tier firms in Boston and Chicago. She later transitioned to the manufacturing side of the industry, spending 13 years as an account executive at Tarkett, before being appointed Vice President of Architecture and Design.
7. Helga Sommer
Chief of Engineering, Miami-Dade County
Helga Sommer has more than 24 years of engineering experience, working in both the public and private sectors. Sommer is currently the Chief of Engineering at PortMiami. In her role, she coordinates a diverse team of engineers, managers, and project control specialists to deliver an aggressive program of capital improvements. Their projects include cruise/cargo terminal development and upgrades, major roadway projects, replacement/realignment/improvement of bulkheads, and numerous ancillary infrastructure improvements.
Before coming to Miami, Sommer worked in the field of water resources, designing and managing projects that included wetland restoration, stormwater master planning, and capital improvement programs, utility relocation, water/wastewater treatment plants, design of pump stations, water control structures, improvements of conveyance canals and reservoir design. She has managed and provided a full range of design services for a wide variety of projects, leading teams of engineers and support staff both locally and nationally, and working closely with clients, agencies, stakeholders, and the public. Sommer graduated from the University of Miami with a master’s in civil engineering and an undergraduate degree in civil and architectural engineering.
8. Tamsin Silvester
VP of Transportation Systems - Rail & Transit West, WSP in Canada
Tamsin Silvester is the Vice President of Transportation Systems in Rail & Transit West at WSP in Canada. WSP features more than 12,000 technical experts and strategic advisors in Canada, and 67,000 around the world, including engineers, technicians, scientists, planners, landscape architects and urban designers, surveyors, and environmental specialists, as well as other design, program, and construction management professionals.
Silvester is a competent multi-disciplined senior project manager with over 20 years of experience in technical, professional, and engineering management appointments. She has been responsible for coordinating financial, technical, and program information for projects with a wide variety of values, forms of contract, nature, and scope of work. Silvester is experienced in liaising and coordinating between many different parties including external consultants, local authorities, stakeholders, and internal departments, and reporting to clients as a designer, supervisor, and project manager. Silvester graduated from Durham University with an undergraduate degree in civil engineering.
9. Karen Rowe
VP of Civil Engineering - Transportation Engineering Leader - E&I, WSP USA
Karen Rowe is the Vice President of Civil Engineering in Transportation Engineering Leader, E&I at WSP USA. Rowe is an experienced Transportation Engineering Leader who is passionate about working with people. She has worked in various roles around Colorado overseeing transportation programs, and oversight for design and construction on many projects at CDOT. As CDOT's Region 2 Transportation Director (RTD) for SouthEast Colorado, she led 400 people in delivering projects and maintaining the transportation system. In this role, good communication, coordination, and customer service to the many cities, counties, and various stakeholders was key to her success.
After starting her career working for DMJM designing highways in California, she transferred to Colorado and eventually worked around the state with CDOT. In early 2020, Rowe took on the role of Oregon Dept. of Transportation of delivery and operations division administrator leading 2,700 employees. Most recently, she joined Wood to lead their transportation group in Denver. Rowe graduated from the California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with an undergraduate degree in civil engineering.
10. Cheri Hanes
VP & Head of Construction Innovation & Sustainability, AXA XL a division of AXA
Cheri Hanes is a Vice President and Head of Construction Innovation and Sustainability at AXA XL, where she provides strategic leadership and direction in sustainable construction and innovation via the implementation of processes, technology, unique insurance solutions, and enhanced customer service initiatives across all construction lines of business. Dedicated to supporting AXA XL’s Partners’ innovation efforts, sustainability, and technological maturity, which improve both individual enterprises, and the industry as a whole. She is committed to developing innovative insurance solutions to support sustainably focused, technology-forward, innovative companies. Cheri is a thought leader, ambassador, and spokesperson for AXA XL, presenting at many industry events and educational organizations.
Hanes has more than 28 years of industry experience in insurance, sustainable building, preconstruction, operations, and project management. Before joining AXA XL, Hanes’ most recent role was with Yates Construction in operations and sustainability management. Before that, she served in preconstruction and sustainability for LendLease Dallas. Her passion for construction risk management has its roots in her experience as a partner in a small residential and tenant improvement construction company.
11. Liza Wold
Vice President of Risk Management, PCL Construction
Liza Wold is the Vice President of Risk Management of PCL Construction, a group of independent construction companies that carries out work across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, and Australia. Their diverse operations in the civil infrastructure, heavy industrial, and building markets are supported by a strategic presence in 31 major centers. Wold has 19 years of experience. She began her career in 2004.
Before joining PCL Construction, Wold was a partner at Miller Thomson LLP. Earlier in her career she worked with Bryan and Company LLP as a partner. Wold graduated from the University of Alberta with an LLB and an undergraduate degree in political science and economics.
12. Miriam Brodie
Vice President, National Private Clients, Kimley-Horn
Miriam Brodie is the Vice President of National Private Clients at Kimley-Horn, one of the nation’s premier planning and design consulting firms. With nearly 7,000 staff members in more than 100 offices across the US, they offer full services in a wide range of disciplines. Clients know them for the creativity of their solutions and the sense of urgency they bring to each and every project. As a Vice President at Kimley-Horn, Miriam developed new businesses and grew national private accounts. She drives practice leaders to look for growth, network with clients, build new relationships, nurture contacts, and win new work. She connects people, opportunities, and projects.
Before joining Kimley-Horn, Miriam was the editor of Multifamily Executive and MultifamilyPro magazines and the managing editor of Office & Industrial Properties and Shopping Center Executive magazines. She graduated from Temple University with an undergraduate degree in communications.
13. Sanja Zlatanic
SVP & Chair of National Tunnel Practice, HNTB
Sanja Zlatanic is the Senior Vice President and Chair of National Tunnel Practice at HNTB. At HNTB, they are committed to making connections possible and creating a better tomorrow. As an employee-owned infrastructure solutions firm, they believe that mobility plays an important role in helping to unlock a brighter future for communities everywhere. Zlatanic brings over 30 years of experience in project and engineering management of mega transportation, transit, and underground projects. She has been responsible for managing all phases of major multi-billion dollar projects, including extensive multi-disciplinary joint venture staff, from feasibility and conceptual engineering through final design and construction. Her superb results in project management and multi-disciplinary coordination and integration of complex underground structures and tunnels have been highly recognized by clients and major transit agencies nationally and internationally.
As an active member of various tunneling and underground societies, she is well-recognized in the profession and has published numerous articles, chaired conference sessions, and made presentations on the design of the construction of tunnels and underground facilities at national and international tunneling conferences. Zlatanic graduated from the University of Belgrade with a graduate degree in structural engineering.
14. Kate Edwards
Vice President of Quality, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Kate Edwards is the Vice President of Quality at The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, a multi-billion-dollar construction organization with a reputation for excellence since 1909. Kate is a 2017 recipient of the Baltimore Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Honor. She presented as the Keynote Speaker for the 2018 National Advancing Construction Quality Conference.
Skilled in strategic visioning, planning, and alignment, Kate is dedicated to combining methodical processes with a value-driven approach, focusing on culture and behavior to drive transformative results. She loves building construction projects, but her true passion is building people and high-performing teams while driving tangible continuous improvement.
15. Mary Lynn Perushek
Chief Information Officer & VP of Information Technology and Security, Mortenson
Mary Lynn Perushek is the Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Information Technology and Security at Mortenson. Mortenson is a $5+B, privately held top 20 construction firm, a developer and engineering service provider serving the commercial, institutional, and energy sectors. As CIO, Perushek’s responsibilities include compliance and security, technology innovation, infrastructure, application development, data analytics, field technology, PMO, portfolio planning, and enterprise architecture. She is also tasked with managing an annual operating budget of $40M and an annual innovation and initiative budget of $10M. As CIO, Perushek has transformed the ITS organization into an innovative, services and production technology group, that is viewed as a valued business partner.
Before joining Mortenson, Perushek was the CIO of Donaldson, a $2.5B global manufacturer of filtration solutions for major engine, industrial organizations, and government sectors. There she transformed the organization into an integrated global division with innovative and unified technologies that enhanced operational and strategic value. Before that, she served as a CIO and VP of information technology at HB Fuller. Earlier in her career she worked with QVC as a director of customer applications. Perushek graduated from the University of Minnesota.
16. Brennan Koch
Vice President, Gilbane Building Company
Brennan Koch is the Vice President of Gilbane Building Company, a family-owned organization with 150 years of experience and counting, their clients entrust them to deliver safe, quality projects that stand the test of time. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, the company has more than 50 offices at home in the United States and abroad in Japan, Afghanistan, Ireland, and the UAE.
Koch, a fifth-generation family member, leads client engagement and strategy for Gilbane Building Company in New York City, a business unit generating $1.3 billion in annual revenue and employing 315+ people working on over 60 projects across the five boroughs. She oversees initiatives enhancing Gilbane’s distinctive and inclusive people-first culture, evidenced by a three-time membership of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For and twice-awarded Crain’s New York Business Best Places to Work in New York City. Koch holds a master’s degree from Providence College and an undergraduate degree from Brown University, where she is on their Real Estate Group steering committee and an alumni leader. Before joining Gilbane, Koch was an elementary school teacher. She currently lives in Manhattan with her husband and two daughters.
17. Yasmin Rehmanjee
Partner & New York Co-Office Director, Buro Happold
Yasmin Rehmanjee is a Partner who has two decades of experience leading some of the most complex and iconic structural engineering designs in the country and around the world. She is adept at leading large-scale, multidisciplinary projects with diverse teams across offices while maintaining project schedules and budgets as well as the vision of her clients’ projects. With a structural engineering background, Rehmanjee led the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta – which includes the world’s first ocular-shaped operable roof – and is currently leading the multidisciplinary engineering design on Hudson’s Site in Detroit, a 1.4 million square foot mixed-use development. Her portfolio spans many sectors including sports and entertainment, commercial development, higher education, and healthcare.
Rehmanjee serves as the New York Co-Office Director where she is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the New York team. Also a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Rehmanjee leads the Equity Committee of Buro Happold’s North America Board – using her influence to ensure the firm continuously works to better reflect the varied cultures, communities, and clients we serve. She is a mentor and teacher to many of Buro Happold’s young engineers. She has also guest lectured and taught at several universities including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Yale University School of Architecture, and Syracuse University School of Architecture.
18. Katrina Sloan
Head of Construction, Caffè Nero
Katrina Sloan is the Head of Construction of Caffè Nero. Caffè Nero was founded in 1997 by Gerry Ford who had a vision to bring a continental-style coffee house experience to the UK and beyond. Sloan first joined the company in 2017 serving as an assistant project manager and later a project manager. She has 17 years of experience. She began her career in 2006.
Before joining Caffè Nero, Sloan was an assistant project manager at Shawmut Design and Construction and before that, a project administrator at Trinity Building and Construction Management Corp. Sloan graduated from Suffolk University with an undergraduate degree in sociology, health, and human services.
19. Mary Guinee
Vice President & Strategic Development Officer, Civil & Environmental Consultants
Mary Guinee has over 35 years of progressive experience in environmental consulting, including 30 years of leading, directing, managing, and conducting Environmental Assessments of commercial and industrial properties. Mary leads multi-discipline teams in addressing clients' fatal flaw/site selection screening (go/no go) processes, and engineering, environmental and ecological due diligence, and conceptual planning concerns during property transactions and commercial and industrial land development projects. She is especially adept at providing diverse approaches to brownfield and urban redevelopment projects.
Mary serves a broad client base in all primary markets including real estate, power, solid waste, manufacturing, oil and gas, mining, and the public sector. She is a Vice President and the Strategic Development Officer for Civil & Environmental Consultants (CEC). In 2017, she was appointed to CEC's board of directors. Mary also serves on CEC's Operations Committee. She is a top-performing technical consultant with a proven ability to drive business and a strategic thinker who can plan and implement business initiatives to support office and corporate growth objectives. Mary has particularly strong relationship management, team building, and general business acumen; and a verifiable track record of success within highly competitive markets. She is ambitious, assertive, and intensely adept at building long-term relationships within a large client base.
20. Christine Marez
Vice President, Cumming Corporation
Christine Marez is the Vice President of Cumming Corporation. She is a results-oriented construction professional with 30 years of project management experience in large multi-million dollar construction programs and projects including major public works infrastructure improvements, energy efficiency, and energy generation projects, specifically Solar PV generation and fuel cells. Christine is also proficient in environmental compliance, transportation, industrial redevelopment, school facilities design and construction, policy development, and training. Marez graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering.
21. Erin Oliver
Vice President of Health Safety & Sustainability, Modern Niagara
Erin Oliver is the Vice President of Health Safety & Sustainability at Modern Niagara. Modern Niagara can carry out the biggest, most complex jobs and change course when circumstances demand to keep your project on track. Their experienced teams made up of the best people in their fields, bring deep expertise, passion, and ingenuity to every project. They handle mechanical, electrical, Integrated Building Controls, and building services projects on all scales, large and small.
Previously, Oliver taught forensic kinesiology at the University of Guelph-Humber. This course taught kinesiologists to assess and reconstruct the human movement contribution to accidents to understand and prevent future accidents. Oliver founded Barantas in 2002, a company focused on health and safety primarily in construction. During this time she worked on notable projects such as the G8 Summit & Canada's Worst Driver. She retired from Barantas in 2015. Before that, she was at Tickner & Associates. Erin's work focused on accident reconstruction, prevention program development & research. She earned a degree from Laurentian in kinesiology focusing on work physiology and forensics.
22. Cherelle Cortez
Vice President of Trade Partner Supplier Diversity, Layton Construction
Cherelle Cortez has 20 years of experience in the construction industry and has worn multiple hats focused on the marketplace, workplace, and workforce. She has been with Layton Construction for 2 years as the Vice President of Trade Partner Supplier Diversity. Cortez leads the company’s strategic partnerships with community advocacy organizations and directs Layton’s trade partner supplier diversity program that targets small, minority, women, veteran, disadvantaged, HUBZone, and LGBTQ business owners and cultivates strategic relationships leading to successful contracts with Layton Construction. Cortez developed the structure and framework for the Layton Trade Partner Equity Educational Program led strategic partnerships with clients, and organizations, and trained more than 400 business owners on various topics for growth.
Cortez’s community involvement is extensive. She is a mentor who served on the board of directors for the National Minority Contractors Association, Nashville Business Incubation Center for Minority Contractors, and the National Minority Supplier Development Council for the construction industry. Cortez has been recognized internally and externally as a leader in the supplier diversity space, receiving numerous awards and accolades in the community, such as Atlanta’s Most Influential 100 Black Women, and one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Georgia. Cortez is an accomplished management professional who has experience simultaneously leading multiple locations. She has a demonstrated ability to deliver results drive supplier diversity programs and develop high-performance teams through hiring, motivation, and development of objective evaluation metrics. She has expertise in diversity and inclusion initiatives being implemented in fast-paced environments and possesses outstanding presentation, communication, and cross-cultural team leadership skills. Cortez has been able to achieve the highest levels of SMWBE participation.
23. Cindy Milrany
Chief Financial Officer & Chief Strategy Officer, Freese and Nichols
Cindy Milrany is Freese and Nichols’ first and only Chief Financial Officer, appointed in 1994. She oversees the company’s financial, risk, and project management systems. Under Milrany’s financial leadership, Freese and Nichols have been able to fund significant ownership transitions, growth, and acquisitions without having to borrow money. In addition to her role as CFO, Milrany is the firm’s chief strategy officer, spearheading strategic and future business planning annually through a consistent process that includes market research, client assessment, and analysis and projections of geographic and service line growth. Milrany is a champion for Freese and Nichols’ continuous improvement journey, which resulted in the company becoming the first engineering firm to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2010, the highest level of recognition for performance excellence in the United States. This deep commitment to quality has led the firm to increased satisfaction among both clients and employees over the last two decades.
Cindy also oversees all the firm’s corporate functions other than human resources and has increased synergy, collaboration, and respect among those departments and with operations. She is passionate about her community and currently serves on the Board of First Command Bank, the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth, and The Women’s Center of Tarrant County. In the past she has served on the boards of Greenhorne & O’Mara, Inc., the March of Dimes, and Fort Worth Sister Cities International. Cindy Milrany was named CFO of the Year in 2021 by Environmental Financial Consulting Group and in 2012 by both the Fort Worth Business Press and the Dallas Business Journal. Milrany is a graduate of Texas Christian University and a certified public accountant.
24. Kathereen Shinkai
Associate Principal & Director of Civil Engineering, LPA
Kathereen Shinkai is an Associate Principal at LPA serving as the Director of Civil Engineering. Since LPA was founded in 1965, it's been its mission to deliver timeless, sustainable designs that benefit the environment, generate lasting value, enrich the human experience, and ensure a better future. As a civil engineer, Shinkai has extensive experience with local agencies and has strong working relationships developed with agency staff which enables more timely and efficient plan review and permit processing.
Shinkai has managed and designed a range of projects that include institutional, retail/commercial centers, master-planned residential communities, religious facilities, public works, and industrial facilities. Her technical expertise includes the design and coordination of water, sewer, storm drain, horizontal control, rough and precise grading, and street improvement plans. Shinkai is also adept in obtaining environmental compliance and has prepared many EIR, SWPPP, and WQMP reports. Shinkai graduated from UC Irvine.
25. Kerri Stewart
Chief Strategy Officer, Miller Electric Company
As Chief Strategy Officer, Kerri Stewart works collaboratively across the entire business to leverage data and analytics to drive improvement to business and customer outcomes. She works closely with project, operations, and support teams to boost and refine data capture to unlock insight potential. Stewart participates in the development of business strategy and establishes/manages plans to achieve corporate business objectives. She also provides support for initiative owners and strategic committees to ensure alignment across the company. To that end, she works with internal and external resources to foster government and industry relations in support of Miller's strategic initiatives and business growth. In addition to leading corporate strategy, Stewart was recently tapped to lead Miller’s Electric Vehicle Solutions Group. In this expanded role, she is tasked with expanding Miller’s national footprint and ensuring that Miller remains the leading EV Solutions provider in North America.
Before joining Miller, Stewart was the chief customer officer for JEA. She led the team responsible for the entire relationship with the commercial and residential customers for one of the largest municipally-owned electric, water, and wastewater utilities in the country. Before joining JEA, she served as the chief of staff for current Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, providing policy and public affairs guidance. Before that, Stewart was an SVP at Infinity Global Solutions, focusing on the areas of government privatization, public infrastructure development, general management consulting, and government relations.
Through her consulting practice, Stewart served as interim president of Visit Jacksonville, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, and LISC. Before her jump to the public sector, Stewart worked for Alltel Information Services (now Black Knight Financial Services). She served as a program manager for a mortgage banking software/solution joint venture with a bank in Leeds, UK Stewart graduated with a BBA from the University of North Florida and holds a certificate in business analytics from Harvard University.
26. Laura Paul
Head of Operations, Baird & Associates
Laura Paul’s wide-ranging experience encompasses multiple perspectives including client, designer, and contractor. She is currently the Head of Operations at Baird & Associates, an innovative engineering firm specializing in coastal, riverine, estuarine, and ocean environments, including work to combat and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Previously, she worked in sustainable building design, helping teams to integrate environmental sustainability focusing on sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design. Paul’s passion for integrating environmental considerations began while working as a field engineer for a large general contractor on-site of a LEED Gold Building, she went on to work as an internal sustainability strategist further supporting the company's people, projects, and practices.
In 2014, Paul was appointed as president of the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) Ottawa Region Chapter and was instrumental in building and supporting Emerging Green Builder (EBG) Groups across Canada. She achieved a National Leadership award from the Canada Green Building Council, the Carson Award for Community and Environmental Leadership, and was ranked as a Top 20 Influencer for Sustainability and the Built Environment on Twitter. She is a published contributor for Global Chorus, a collection of over 365 perspectives on their environmental future, including contributions from David Suzuki, Paul Hawken, Bill McKibben, William McDonough, Michael Reynolds, and Rick Fedrizzi.
Paul obtained her civil engineering degree from the University of New Brunswick and is a licensed professional engineer in Ontario. She holds an MBA from Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa and has obtained multiple industry credentials including Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification as well as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) with specialties in new construction, existing building operations & maintenance, and neighborhood design.
27. Ashley Welvaert
Chief Legal Officer, Modigent
Ashley Welvaert is an experienced in-house legal counsel and risk manager. Her expertise spans more than a decade and encompasses progressive leadership positions at both private and public companies in the construction and energy industries. Because of her extensive construction industry experience, she has served as an instrumental member of diverse leadership teams, helping organizations navigate complex legal issues, and serving as the functional head of safety and risk management departments.
Welvaert currently serves as Chief Legal Officer at Modigent, LLC, a growth-oriented mechanical, plumbing, and controls services company, with 13 subsidiaries across the nation and headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. This is her second role in the mechanical industry, as she previously served as senior counsel of litigation and employment and AVP of safety and risk management at Comfort Systems USA, a publicly traded mechanical and electrical contractor headquartered in Houston, Texas. Welvaert has also held a dual legal and risk management role at Renu, Inc. and served as in-house counsel for JE Dunn Construction Company. She started her legal career at a boutique litigation firm, protecting construction companies against multi-million dollar claims related to construction defects, project delays, and job site accidents.
Welvaert prides herself on being an authentic and connected leader who strives to build relationships, listen and understand business needs, and develop practical solutions. Throughout her career, she has successfully guided and advised the companies that she’s been a part of in the areas of litigation and risk management, workplace safety, employee relations, commercial contracts, and compliance program development. Welvaert received her Bachelor of Arts from Texas A&M University and her Juris Doctor from Baylor University. She has served as a speaker on panels at several national conferences for construction, corporate counsel, and women in the law.
28. Tracy Schlosser
Chief Operations Officer, W.M. Schlosser Company
Tracy Schlosser is W.M. Schlosser’s Chief Administrative Officer, where her leadership responsibilities include wide-ranging areas of oversight, including, all aspects of HR, accounting, IT, and administrative support. Schlosser is a member of the Management Team, which sets the company’s vision and molds the company’s personnel. Schlosser reports to the President of the Company, Andy Schlosser.
Schlosser has spent 27 of her last 31 years in the industry working at the W.M. Schlosser Company. She spent 4 years working for a mechanical contractor in Richmond before returning to Maryland. She held numerous roles before her promotion to chief administrative officer including field office manager, office manager, and director of HR. Her long tenure at the company, coupled with some great mentors, teachers, and leaders has allowed her to excel in her career with W.M. Schlosser Company.
29. Angela Vacante
Chief Operating Officer, Bittenbender Construction LP
Angela Vacante is the Chief Operating Officer of Bittenbender Construction LP. She first joined the company in 2007. Bittenbender Construction, LP is a general contractor and construction management firm that specializes in academic, corporate, cultural, health care, green space, recreation, and retail projects. Their company is a 100% woman-owned business, certified by (WBENC) the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. They are committed to diversity, which is reflected in their team, both in the office and the field. As they embark on their 20th year, Bittenbender Construction, LP is in a position of growth. They’ve developed their team to include additional like-minded, experienced individuals who continue their success by focusing on their clients. Vacante earned an undergraduate degree in business administration from Fox School of Business at Temple University.
30. Jessica Baker
Chief Operations Officer, Palisade Builders
Jessica Baker is the Chief Operations Officer of Palisade Builders. Jessica is an experienced construction manager with a demonstrated history of working in the construction and real estate industry. She has experience in project planning/pre-construction coordination, operational planning, and organizational leadership.
Before beginning her career in the construction industry, Jessica served eight years in the US Navy as an active duty commissioned officer and Naval Flight Officer. She is a licensed California Contractor, holds a BS in systems engineering from the US Naval Academy, an MBA, and a Master of Construction Management from the University of Southern California.
31. Katherine Graham
President, Heritage Contracting
As President, Katherine Graham sets the overall direction of Heritage Contracting. She focuses on advancing corporate innovation and developing Heritage Contracting's unique corporate culture. Graham's secret to her success is surrounding herself with the best people and rewarding and investing in their development. She strives to continually improve in every aspect of her business and personal life. She believes in treating everyone with dignity and respect. Graham's advice is to give generously and never stop learning. She was recently published in the Marquis Who’s Who in an America biographical publication.
Heritage Contracting is a government construction firm, providing a full range of construction services to federal and private clients. Heritage staff manages projects related to industrial construction, design-build, renovations, operations and maintenance, civil, engineering, and project management. The company’s annual revenue in the last 2 years reached over $50 million in successfully completed projects. It is the goal of Heritage Contracting to provide the highest quality of service at the fairest possible price. The primary office is located in Chesapeake, Virginia with other locations in Denver, Colorado, and Iselin, New Jersey.
32. Monica Varrasso
Vice President, Turn - Key Tunneling, Inc.
Monica Varrasso is the Vice President of Turn - Key Tunneling, Inc., an industry leader in trenchless tunneling and boring operations. Their services include the installation of 8" to 84" steel casing pipe utilizing traditional auger boring methods, vertical shaft construction, installation of liner plates, slip-lining to restore damaged or failed sewers, pipe jacking, and hard rock boring using SBU technology. They are capable of handling design-build projects with their in-house professional engineers. They are certified EDGE, DBE & SBE in Ohio and certified DBE in West Virginia & Tennessee. Varrasso has 29 years of experience. She began her career in 1994.
Before joining Turn - Key Tunneling, Inc., Varrasso was a project engineer at McDaniel’s Construction Corp. where she supported the administrative and field staff with cradle-to-grave project completion. She assisted with effective budget management and analysis, unwavering field support, and shrewd job cost analysis. Varrasso specialized in seamless project integration including heavy construction accounting, project coding and invoicing, material purchase and acquisition, job costing and analysis, subcontract management, project documentation from bid day through submittals and contract closeout, and administrative/field project management. She graduated from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University with an MBA and from Ohio State University with an undergraduate degree in business administration.
33. Nicole Laiho
Chief Operating Officer, Peak Engineering
Nicole Laiho is the Chief Operating Officer of Peak Engineering, a Denver metro area consulting firm with over 25 years of national structural engineering experience with a wide range of project types using multiple building materials. They provide design services for new buildings, renovations, seismic upgrades, structural evaluations, and specialty equipment. They are experts in the design of tilt-up concrete structures and offer innovative cost-saving solutions.
Laiho has over 20 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. While managing the business, she is still very involved in the engineering and production side of things. She has extensive design and analysis experience with a wide variety of building and material types. Laiho is known for her willingness to work with clients and contractors to find efficient and elegant solutions to a multitude of design and construction challenges. She embodies the core values of Peak in her work to design and manage quality designs with input and collaboration from the contractor and other design disciplines. Laiho graduated from Purdue University with an MSCE and an undergraduate degree in civil engineering.
34. Claudia Abbona
Managing Partner, Paradigm Rep Group
Claudia Abbona, Managing Partner with Paradigm Rep Group, a commercial roofing consultant and sales firm, is committed to discovering alternate and viable roofing solutions. With over 25 years of experience in the roofing industry, Abbona has flourished in South Florida as a bilingual sales executive and trusted advisor in her field. During her 18-year career with GAF, North America's largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, Abbona focused on innovative solutions and customer needs, which has evolved with her entrepreneurial role with Paradigm Rep Group, currently representing GAF and Babcock Davis.
Abbona’s commitment to excellence, her ability to develop relationships, and find building solutions have made her invaluable to the roofing community. Described by her peers as a trustworthy resource, resilient, and adventurist, Abbona utilizes her skills to find the best outcomes. Committed to education, training, and support for roofing contractors, she helps to ensure that the ultimate care and attention is given to every roof.
As a trailblazer for empowering and educating women in roofing, Abbona’s leadership and expertise are evident in her role as the VP for National Women in Roofing South Florida Council (NWiR). Her commitment to education, safety, and excellence in roofing is also seen in her involvement on the Board of Directors for the Roofing Contractors Association of South Florida (RCASF). Last February, she worked on the Inaugural RCASF Educational Training Day that hosted 256 roofing contractors in South Florida. Her role on the board allows her to help foster her commitment to educating and raising the bar in the roofing industry, supporting local charity partners, re-roofing homes for those in need, holiday toy drives, and helping critically ill children.
She and her family love to enjoy time with nature, and learn new customs and traditions. Abbona exemplifies the work-life balance.
35. Ashley Ward
Chief Operating Officer, Romex North America
Ashley Ward is the Chief Operating Officer of Romex North America. Romex is a permeable hardscape material manufacturing company that has produced and distributed high-quality products for over 30 years across 27 different countries. Their products are ant-resistant, weed-resistant, frost-resistant, pressure washer-safe, easy to install, and an excellent solution for stormwater management. Ward has 22 years of experience. She began her career in 2001.
Ward is known for her energy, tenacity, and ability to motivate business leaders to recognize and achieve their full potential. She holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business and has spent two decades growing, leading, and optimizing businesses across the United States and Canada. Before joining Romex North America, she was a director of franchise recruitment at O2E Brands, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and before that, a director at Bellrock Benchmarking, Inc. Earlier in her career she worked with College Pro Painters as a franchise partner.
36. Francisca Alonso
Co-Founder and CEO, AV Architects + Builders
Partners in business and life, husband and wife team Francisca and Antonio Alonso are the creative force behind AV Architects + Builders. Francisca and Antonio met at the School of Architecture at the Catholic University of America in 1987. In 2001, after the birth of their fourth child, Francisca and Antonio decided to change directions from working in large architecture firms in the Washington, DC area and founded AV Architects. Within a year, they formed AV Builders and created their unique architect-led design-build approach to designing and building modern custom homes. The philosophy for designing and building modern custom homes as the master builder is the cornerstone of the business.
With family backgrounds in Spain and having both lived there, the two shared an affinity for the Mediterranean lifestyle and the way the architecture reflects that lifestyle. This lifestyle philosophy has resulted in designing homes in the Mid-Atlantic region with a unique modern aesthetic. Their concept of Vacation Style Living™ encompasses this lifestyle philosophy. One that incorporates connecting the home to the land and creating a strong indoor-outdoor relationship to link family life to nature results in a sustainable design approach.
For over 20 years, Francisca and Antonio have been creating visions by fusing their knowledge and skills with their client’s needs and desires. This vision for their home is transformed into a real-life space that’s uniquely personalized to their needs, their dreams, and their lifestyle.
37. Stacy Stevens
Chief Executive Officer, Lakelands Concrete Products, Inc.
Stacy Stevens began her professional career 12 years ago. Today, she is the Chief Executive Officer of Lakelands Concrete Products, Inc. With over 70 years of experience, Lakelands offers specialized customer service, design support, product knowledge, and quality assurance for successful projects throughout the Northeastern United States.
Stevens first got her start in 2011 as a junior engineer at Fisher Associates. From there, she went on to Stantec, before eventually rising to bridge design supervisor at NYSDOT, her most recent position before joining Lakelands Concrete Products, Inc. Stevens graduated from Syracuse University with an undergraduate degree in civil engineering.
38. Evelynn Ratcliffe
Partner, Alair Homes Summerhill
Evelynn Ratcliffe was recently honoured as one of the Top Women Leaders in Toronto, however her work extends beyond the geographical limits of the Greater Toronto Area. As a partner in four offices in Alair Homes, the largest premium custom home building and large-scale renovation company in the world, Evelynn is positioned to help influence the industry in meaningful ways. “Our industry has been mischaracterized as male dominant and while that may have been true in the past, the construction industry of the future is balanced, and authentic,” said Ratcliffe earlier this year. "Women may have shied away from the toxic masculinity and bravado that used to blanket construction, but many of those antiquated personas have been replaced with humble, collaborative, and compassionate leaders like the ones we are cultivating right here at Alair.”
Ratcliffe supports this future health of the construction industry by drawing on experts from many industries including military, mental health and wellness, social work, and health sciences, in an effort to build greater authenticity and humanity in her team. She believes that construction works best when ego is set aside and collaboration is given the limelight it deserves. Ratcliffe graduated from York University, has earned awards from the BILD, CoTY, National Association of Home Builders, the International Property Awards, and many others, and is one of the country’s first twenty Chartered Marketers.
Evelynn’s more notable projects include the conversion of the historic Tannery District in Kitchener, and the early phases of development of Downtown Markham. After nearly two decades in strategic roles, she finds the tangible rewards of building feed her soul in a way strategic plans never could. When she isn't building homes, businesses or the industry around her, you’ll find her with her husband and daughters, or travelling somewhere new.
39. Samantha Renz
Chief Executive Officer, Evolving Texas
Samantha Renz is the Chief Executive Officer of Evolving Texas, a high-quality civil engineering consulting firm with a diverse array of experience. They have a history of satisfied repeat clients, and their expertise and integrity in the field have resulted in the reputation of excellence they are proud of and have built over the years.
Renz brings more than two decades of civil engineering experience to her leadership role at Evolving Texas. She honed her skills in the field working for several municipalities around the North Texas area. In her varied roles, she helped shape the policies and developments in Sanger, Haltom City, The Colony, and Rowlett. In 2014 she left the public sector and joined the Evolving Texas team. In 2018 she was named CEO and majority shareholder – a testament to her work ethic and her passion for leadership and serving clients. Renz received her civil engineering degree at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2009. She is licensed in seven states, and under her direction the Evolving Team has completed hundreds of projects. Currently, Renz sits on the City of Fort Worth’s Development Advisory Committee (DAC). She is an active member of CREW, ICSC, TFMA, and Downtown Fort Worth, Inc.
40. Melissa Reynolds
Director of Engineering and Capital Programs, City of Seguin
Melissa Reynolds is the Director of Engineering and Capital Programs of the City of Seguin. Seguin is a growing community 30 minutes east of San Antonio along the Guadalupe River. Melissa is a professional engineer with demonstrated success in the government administration industry with a focus on land development planning, stormwater design, and floodplain protection. She has over 15 years of experience working in an extremely high-growth region, building and maintaining public-private partnerships for the greater good. She has a passion for environmental protection, floodplain management, and watershed protection.
A professional engineer and certified floodplain manager, Melissa earned a master’s degree in public administration from The University of Texas at Arlington. She has a passion for improving the future of Texas by ensuring smart growth and responsible development by preserving floodplains and natural ecosystems while finding innovative means of creating economic returns. She believes in the engineering profession and positive governance with responsible regulation.
41. Mekala Palaniappan
Director of Engineering SMR, Candu Energy
Mekala Palaniappan is the Director of Engineering in SMR of Candu Energy. She has over 30 years of interdisciplinary experience in the nuclear and power industries, in both technical and leadership roles. Her major proven strength is in planning, managing, and executing big projects with technical compliance and schedule adherence. She leads large projects with a facilitative leadership style and is committed to open fair communication with stakeholders while driving resolutions which is recognized by the client. Mekala has strong interpersonal and teamwork skills with a proven ability to develop and maintain excellent professional relationships across all levels of management and co-workers. She graduated from PSG College of Technology with an undergraduate degree in electrical and electronics engineering.
42. Misty Munoz
Director of Large Projects North America, Schindler Elevator Corporation
Misty Munoz is the Director of Large Projects in North America at Schindler Elevator Corporation. She has 20 years of professional experience with strategic planning, project management, and operation execution. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY. Upon graduation, Munoz was commissioned as an Air Defense Artillery Officer in the United States Army where she held several positions most recently as a senior logistics support officer for a Combat Service Support Battalion. Munoz also has a Master of Arts degree in management from Webster University and is currently a certified Project Management Professional.
43. Frankiana Bencosme
Director of Business Development, DBK
Frankiana Bencosme is the current Director of Business Development at DBK, Inc. For more than 15 years, DBK has been the industry leader and expert in multifamily, commercial, and hospitality renovations and new construction, as well as delivering unparalleled service to the HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing sectors. As part of their executive team, Bencosme supports all multifamily and commercial construction sales, including renovations encompassing HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical services. She has an extensive 18-year background in this specialized industry and a well-established history of initiating and managing new business development endeavors. Additionally, she excels in nurturing strategic partnerships across Florida and spearheading innovative product development space.
Bencosme's core proficiencies encompass market analysis, comprehensive business planning, adept negotiations, effective relationship management, and astute services marketing. She harnesses these skills to identify and exploit emerging trends, untapped opportunities, and niche markets within the commercial and multifamily construction sector. Her collaborative efforts with Engineers and Architects, along with the management of key accounts and strategic partnerships, consistently result in surpassing customer expectations. Moreover, she implements competitive sales strategies to optimize market share.
At the heart of her mission is the commitment to drive growth and innovation for DBK and its partners, all while staying vigilant regarding the latest industry developments. Beyond her professional achievements, Bencosme is a devoted mother to Michael, Brandon, and Alejandro, who stand as her unwavering support system, significantly contributing to her ongoing success. With her remarkable accomplishments in the realm of business development, coupled with her dedication as a parent, Bencosme is genuinely a Woman we Admire.
44. Angeline Gleason
MEP Preconstruction Director, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Angeline Gleason is an MEP Preconstruction Director specializing in electrical, low voltage, and integrating building technology systems. She coordinates engineers, designers, contractors, colleagues, and facility owners during the preconstruction phase to encourage complete collaboration, system integration, and synchronization by educating the team and pursuing equipment efficiencies and capabilities to economize physical equipment space requirements, enable unified communication between systems, and reduce construction and operating costs.
Gleason has been with McCarthy Building Companies for 7 years and is responsible for the Southern California region’s MEP estimating, design, and subcontracting. She serves on McCarthy’s National Preconstruction Advisory Board and leads their National MEP preconstruction functional team. Before McCarthy, she worked for various electrical subcontractors as a project manager, service manager, and project engineer from Southern to Northern California for over 10 years. She attended the University of California, Riverside where she served as president of Kappa Kappa Gamma and received her undergraduate degree in business administration.
45. Katie McCrary
Director of Safety and Director of People and Culture, McCrary West Construction
Katie McCrary is the Director of People and Culture at McCrary-West Construction in Columbus, MS. She manages all safety and employee relations, recruitment of new employees, and recognizes employees’ talents so that they might receive the greatest joy from their work. Katie has been a member of the management board for Global Connections since 2009, working with the organization’s Kenyan partners monthly on budgets for partner programs, monthly expenses, global socially responsible investing, and workforce development for merging oppressed populations.
McCrary is not only passionate about workforce development but also, small business development and sustainable humanitarian aid development. She serves as a Commission Member for the Create Foundation, a committee member for the State of Mississippi’s Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Fund, and is a founding member of the FORGE Foundation. McCrary graduated from Mississippi University for Women with an undergraduate degree in marketing management.
46. Laura Bush
Director of Operations, NYC Metro Region, Consigli Construction
Laura Bush is the Director of Operations in the NYC Metro Region of Consigli Construction, a 100% employee-owned construction manager and general contractor with offices in Boston and Milford, Mass., Washington, DC, Portland, Maine, Hartford, Conn., and New York State. Their extensive portfolio features a diverse range of projects of various scales, serving a wide range of clients in the life sciences, historical, academic, residential, and cultural industries throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Bush has over 25 years of experience in the construction management industry. She began her career at Lendlease working as a construction superintendent in the field at the Chiswick Park office development in London. In 2001, Bush transferred to New York City to work on the Time Warner Center project at Columbus Circle. She has since worked on luxury residential projects such as Fifteen Central Park West and 150 Amsterdam (Aire) and the pre-construction of 250 West 55th Street, a midtown office development. Bush managed the overall construction of the 55-story, Hyatt Hotel at Times Square, which opened at the end of 2013, and the completion of the luxury residential project at One Madison Park. Most recently, she managed the construction of a two-acre site in downtown Manhattan at One Manhattan Square (250 South Street). In addition, she has overseen the completion of foundations for a luxury residential building in Sutton Place, Manhattan. Bush graduated from The University of Manchester with an undergraduate degree in construction management.
47. Andria Schmid
Director of Civil Engineering, Ulteig
Andria Schmid began her professional career 17 years ago. Today, she is the Director of Civil Engineering at Ulteig. Ulteig delivers comprehensive design engineering, program management, and technical and field services that strengthen infrastructure vital to everyday life. They have over 75 years of experience and reputation, driving reliable solutions. Their team of forward-thinking innovative experts make critical connections, putting together the complex, multi-disciplinary strategies you need in today’s changing world.
Schmid first got her start in 2006 as a structural engineer at KRM Consultants, Inc. She moved on to serve as a project engineer at the Colorado Department of Transportation, her most recent position before joining Ulteig. Schmid graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with an undergraduate degree in civil engineering.
48. Sonia Swift
Director of Engineering, MENARD USA
Sonia Swift is the Director of Engineering of MENARD USA, a design-build specialty contractor offering ground improvement for sites with problematic soil conditions. Swift is a civil engineer with over 16 years of experience in construction observation, subsurface investigations, and engineering analysis. She received her undergraduate and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Tufts University and was involved in earthquake engineering research during her graduate studies.
Swift is experienced in performing design calculations and finite element analyses for ground improvement projects, observing subsurface investigations involving soil and bedrock drilling, observing well installation, and test pit excavations. She has prepared foundation design and construction recommendation reports based on the results of these subsurface investigations. Swift has managed and designed ground improvement systems for over 100 projects including large storage tanks, commercial and residential buildings, parking garages, roadways, and embankments. She has used finite element software and hand calculations to perform geotechnical and structural calculations and analyses for each project. She has also managed budgets, schedules, and client correspondence. Swift has been involved in training, integrating, and mentoring new team members.
49. Hannah Fleck
Director of Engineering & Sustainability, Jointer Quality of Life
Hannah Fleck is Director of Engineering and Sustainability for Jointer Quality of Life (JQOL). JQOL is a certified MBE/DBE firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. Their services include site engineering, construction administration, structural engineering, transportation engineering, and surveying. Fleck’s civil engineering portfolio includes K-12 schools, public libraries, academic institutions, athletics, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and urban infill.
Fleck has been the LEED consultant on over 20 certified projects including the first LEEDv4 platinum project in Indiana. She holds an undergraduate and master’s from the University of Iowa in civil engineering and urban planning.
50. Jennifer Lasch
Director of Civil Engineering, The Veridus Group
Jennifer Lasch is the Director of Civil Engineering of The Veridus Group, an Indianapolis-based firm. Lasch has been working in the civil engineering field for over 27 years. She has been working in land development and civil site design for the past 17 years. Lasch has led a wide variety of projects ranging from the civil design of park facilities to transportation enhancement projects to the civil design and planning of higher education and corporate campuses. She has extensive experience in a collaborative design approach and can work with large and diverse groups to solve complex challenges related to infrastructure and site design. As a primary member of integrated design teams throughout the process, she works closely with team members, owners, and regulatory agencies to find creative solutions for functional and sustainable design. Lasch’s passion and enthusiasm for collaborative and thoughtful design is evident in her leadership of the Civil Engineering team.
Lasch began her career in the northeast US in water resources focusing primarily on riverine and coastal projects before taking a hiatus from her engineering career to focus on her family. She returned to the civil engineering field in 2005 in Indianapolis, IN where she shifted her career and focus to civil site design/land development. Lasch graduated from the University of Delaware with an undergraduate degree in civil engineering.