Natalie is a project manager, and process engineer based in the Winnipeg, Manitoba office. As the Area Market Sector Leader for Western Canada, her focus is mainly on wastewater treatment. Natalie completed her master’s thesis in civil engineering on deammonification in 2017 while on maternity leave. She and her family are avid camping enthusiasts.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

I fell into the water industry by accident. I had originally entered engineering thinking that I would be mitigating environmental degradation through Environmental Impact Assessments, following my mother’s footsteps as a soil conservationist. In 2016, a co-op position within ArchTam’s Winnipeg water department changed my mind, when I was able to work alongside inspiring people on a few interesting projects.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

I’ve been lucky and very grateful to work on many projects where I’ve been challenged with stretch goals, and worked with interesting clients on diverse infrastructure concepts. I enjoy alternative delivery projects that allow for extensive collaboration with owners and the construction team. This collaboration allows for ‘project-best’ decisions, with the entire team prioritizing the project’s best interests. The upgrades at the North End Wastewater Treatment Plant for the City of Winnipeg have enabled our team to deliver each phase in the most effective way for the project. ArchTam is the Owner Engineer, and we help the City determine the delivery method first before moving forward. As the program manager, I enjoy building an ArchTam team from around the globe; being able to reach out and bring expert support for this upgrade is very rewarding. Recently, we’ve been deploying over 100 ArchTam staff per month to support our 8 active projects within the program. From designers and managers to wastewater operators, quality reviewers, DB advisors, cost estimators, and project controls, we leverage a wide range of expertise within ArchTam. Having such a diverse team allows us to approach problems from different angles and develop solutions that mitigate risks. This project has made me very proud to work for a company that truly values our various levels of technical expertise.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

When I started working full-time after graduation, I was given the opportunity to relocate to Trinidad to help a team on the design of two new wastewater treatment facilities and collection systems that ArchTam had been awarded. I was able to help but also learn on every project aspect. In addition to the facilities’ design, we encountered challenges that are likely unique to developing countries. For example, there were no proper as-builts on some of the sewered portions so we had to build our own – popping manholes and measuring. It was personally eye-opening to see how wastewater collection and treatment had been previously handled. Almost every community had potable water, but wastewater was either overflowing into drainage ditches or running through abandoned or neglected treatment facilities. Although it took a while for construction to begin, the impact that ArchTam’s team has made on improving the wastewater infrastructure and overall environment in Trinidad cannot be overstated.  

Share a piece of career advice.

Never stop asking questions, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s through setting those stretch goals for yourself and figuring out how to achieve them that you can meet some incredible people within ArchTam and our industry.

You should also try to get involved in a professional organization outside of work. Help organize an event, meet up with the local young professional (or old professional!) group, provide mentoring, and just get out there and meet your peers from other companies. Share your passion for doing what you love.

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This time, we caught up with Jennifer Williams, Vice President, Civil Engineering, Water, in the U.S. West region to discover how she chose the path she’s on today.   

Hi Jennifer. What do you do for ArchTam? 

I’ve been with ArchTam and legacy companies for almost 30 years. I contribute to both business development and project delivery by representing ArchTam on a variety of professional societies, managing client relationships and programs, and serving technical roles on dam inspection, analysis, risk assessments, design and construction projects. After raising two daughters, I enjoy spending time in the outdoors of Colorado.

Tell us about your career journey.

I didn’t know what an engineer was until I was about 16. Back then, we didn’t have STEM classes like students do now. My older sister went to the Colorado School of Mines, an all-engineering school, and that was the first time I really learned what engineering was all about. I was inspired by what she was doing and decided to follow in her footsteps.

I began my career out of college as a staff engineer with legacy company Woodward-Clyde in Omaha, Nebraska, specializing in soft soil characterization and mitigation. Much of my early experience was hands-on — working behind a cone penetration test (CPT) or drill rig logging soils or performing construction oversight on civil earthwork projects. I also supported the senior principal, Steve Saye, on design of embankments on soft soils and research into settlement mitigation techniques. He became an early mentor, and after about three years, when I was ready to return home to Denver, he helped make that move possible.

After transferring to the Denver office (then URS), I worked as a project engineer on a broad range of geotechnical projects, including landslide mitigation, landfill design, mine tailings dams, and deep foundations. I eventually asked to be paired with John France, a senior practitioner specializing in dams, and soon joined my first dam project. From that experience, I was immediately drawn to dam engineering — the multidisciplinary nature of the work, the teamwork required to solve complex problems, and the depth of expertise within the office. I was motivated by the variety and technical challenge of each project, the range of geotechnical analyses involved, and the opportunity to collaborate closely with multiple disciplines.

After about 10 years, I transitioned into project management and business development, preparing proposals, engaging with clients and presenting at technical conferences — while continuing to contribute technically. These experiences improved my connection to clients and the broader industry, paving the way for managing larger and more complex programs.

Today, as a vice president at ArchTam, I enjoy a dynamic balance between technical work, project management and business development. I currently serve as the technical lead and project manager for the design of a new 300-foot-tall embankment dam here in Colorado. Additionally, I’m the program manager for technical engineering services for a large hydroelectric company in the Northwest, contributing to a broad range of dam-related work. Beyond that, I assist state dam safety programs in advancing their use of risk-informed decision making, including Colorado, Hawaii and New Mexico.

I’m also actively engaged with the broader dam safety community through various roles — serving on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Society on Dams, chairing the Technical Advisory Committee for the Association of Dam Safety Officials, and being the U.S. representative on the Embankment Dam Committee for the International Commission on Large Dams.

How has mentorship helped you on your path?

Your career path is often shaped, if not defined, by the strengths of the teams and individuals you work with. I’ve had the great fortune to work with a few very impactful mentors — John France, Dick Davidson, and Steve Saye to name a few — who played crucial roles in my career. Their openness in sharing knowledge and their passion for excellence really inspired me and helped me grow. What stood out most was their direct candor; they gave me honest feedback that accelerated my learning curve. They also trusted me by giving responsibility while always having my back — checking my work and redirecting me when needed. That balance of support and challenge really helped propel my career forward and taught me the value of strong mentorship.

What’s something you wish someone told you years ago?

Something I wish I’d learned earlier in my career is the value of seeking out diverse perspectives and learning from peers and senior practitioners alike. Never hesitate to ask questions or seek advice — no matter your level of experience. Collaboration and curiosity lead to better solutions, and there’s no shame in not having all the answers; in fact, some of the best ideas come from simply asking for input.

What advice do you have for women who want to get into dams or another traditionally male-dominated industry?

My advice to women interested in entering the dam industry, or any traditionally male-dominated field, is to not define yourself by the gender balance around you. Seek out mentors, both male and female, who support your growth and push you to take on challenges. Be confident in your skills, stay curious and keep learning. Earn respect through a strong work ethic, technical excellence, and an open, collaborative attitude. The industry needs diverse voices and approaches, especially in engineering fields where collaboration, innovation and problem solving are essential.

If not this path, what would have been your career plan B?

If I hadn’t pursued engineering, I think I would have explored a career in the medical field. I’ve always been drawn to problem solving and helping people, and medicine offers a unique way to do both in a very direct and meaningful way. Whether it was becoming a nurse, a physical therapist, or working in medical research, the idea of contributing to people’s health and wellbeing really appealed to me.

The post Career Path Spotlight: Jennifer Williams appeared first on Blog.

Across the nation, our young professionals continue to showcase what it means to deliver a better world through innovative ideas and unparalleled leadership. Their sustainable focused work positively impacts our clients, communities and world for generations. We are excited to congratulate and introduce our ENR 2026 National and Regional Top Young professionals. Read more about each of our honorees.

Here is the full list of people who were recognized for ENR’s Region Top Young Professionals:

ENR East

Marlon Bess, Project Manager (New York, NY)

Marlon’s construction management career began with Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts in Rockaway, Queens, where he collaborated closely with ArchTam Tishman on critical, high-pressure projects. Following this, Marlon joined Leeding Builders Group, where he has experienced rapid professional growth, managing a broad range of trades from large scopes to specialized interior work. Currently, he oversees interior trades — including carpentry, millwork, flooring, tilework, specialties and finishes — on high-end, ground-up residential developments.

Dimitra Karachaliou, Associate Vice President (New York, NY)

Driven by a passion for infrastructure and innovation, Dimitra is Associate Vice President at ArchTam with over 13 years of experience, specializing in Program/Project Management and Controls, and Digital Transformation advisory. She provides advisory services to clients, leading digital transformation initiatives across programs that exceed $2 billion in value. Dimitra began her career as a cost estimator for luxury residential projects. In 2016, she joined ArchTam as Deputy Project Manager and quickly rose to leadership. In 2025, she launched ArchTam’s Digital Transformation Advisory Champions to scale digital consulting capabilities internally.

Celine Sze, Project Manager (New York, NY)

With eight years in the water and wastewater industry, Celine has gained experience in planning, design and design services during construction. As the ArchTam deputy project manager of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) Ashokan Reservoir Reconstruction Project, which is part of the largest public works program in the area in more than 50 years, Celine is developing creative solutions to provide more flood-resilient water supply infrastructure in addition to minimizing environmental impacts and enhancing public recreational facilities. Celine is also helping NYCDEP develop a pathway toward energy neutrality at the in-city wastewater resource recovery facilities and carbon reduction across the agency.

Brigid Wright, DBIA, Project Manager (New York, NY)

Brigid began her career at Plaza Construction’s Washington, D.C. office in 2012, working on the historic Monticello Hotel renovation. Her experience expanded across diverse sectors, including schedule and construction oversight for a nationally recognized railcar manufacturing facility in Massachusetts, serving as full-charge Project Manager for the first Fisher Houses in New York City, and managing security and MEP trades for the expansion of Resorts World Casino in Queens. Her background in architecture strengthened her ability to translate design intent into buildable solutions, a skill she applied at Leeding Builders Group while overseeing amenity completion of an ENR award-winning luxury residential tower and tackling forensic construction challenges on The Brooklyn Tower.

ENR Midwest

Tim Prince, Director of SH&E (Indianapolis, IN)

Tim began at ArchTam Hunt as a safety intern on a project in southern Indiana, where he quickly developed a strong passion for the major construction industry. In 2022, he earned a promotion to Regional Manager, where he began shaping his territory in the Central Region of the company. After three years in this position, Tim was promoted to Director of Safety for the Central Region, encompassing over 30 states. Over the past 11 years, Tim has dedicated himself to transforming the safety culture in the construction industry and helping people.

ENR Mountain States and Southwest

Stephanie Tjan, Project Manager/ Environmental Engineer (Albuquerque, NM)

Stephanie has eight years of specialized experience as an environmental engineer and project manager, with a strong track record of leading complex environmental investigations and remediation projects. The focus of her work is on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), an emerging contaminant of national and global priority. In her current role, she leads high-profile PFAS investigations and pilot studies to treat PFAS contamination at the Department of Defense (DoD) facilities across the country. Notably, she led the development and execution of the first and largest CERCLA Remedial Investigation for a DoD client in Michigan which included a complex and iterative rapid site characterization approach.

Michelle Hoysick, Greater West Transportation Business Development Director (Denver, CO)

Michelle has fifteen years of experience in the transportation industry, demonstrating consistent growth, leadership and impact across her career. She currently serves as Business Development Director at ArchTam, leading strategic growth initiatives for alternative delivery transportation projects across the Great Lakes, Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states. She is also the Colorado business development lead, mentoring staff and contributing to long-term success. Earlier in her career, Michelle was Program Manager Oversight Consultant for several major Denver-area transit projects, including the $6.5 billion RTD FasTracks program, including Denver Union Station, and the West and R rail lines. Michelle was also selected for ENR’s 2026 National Top 20 Under 40 this year.

ENR Texas & Southeast

Erik M. Alcantara, Client Service Manager/Senior Project Manager (Coral Gables, FL)

Erik is Client Service Manager and Senior Project Manager in ArchTam’s Water business line based in Coral Gables, Florida. With over a decade of experience, he leads major municipal programs and projects across South Florida focused on stormwater and flood mitigation, water and wastewater infrastructure, and climate resilience — bringing together planning, design, permitting and delivery to help communities adapt and thrive. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Florida, a Project Management Professional (PMP), and an Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP). He is also active in advancing the civil engineering profession through ASCE leadership and service, including as President of the ASCE Miami-Dade Branch (FY 2025).

Imtiaz Ali, Project Controls – Schedule & Cost Lead (Atlanta, GA)

Imtiaz currently serves as Schedule & Cost Lead at ArchTam, contributing to one of America’s largest transportation programs — a $4.7 billon infrastructure project in Georgia — where he leads the review, analysis and maintenance of integrated project schedules with a strong focus on earned value management and schedule risk mitigation. Earlier in his career, Imtiaz worked on some of the most ambitious developments in the Middle East including the world’s largest indoor sports mall in Dubai.

Tanner Oetjen, Civil Engineer (Houston, TX)

Tanner is a civil engineer at ArchTam with over nine years of experience in transportation design. Tanner works in the Transportation Planning group, a multidisciplinary group that combines elements of traditional transportation engineering, feasibility and long-range planning. He is a key member on major projects across the state of Texas and is currently leading construction phasing for the Wheeler Station Transit Center in Houston. Tanner has also contributed to Fort Worth’s long-term transportation goals, serving as the lead roadway designer for the city’s Master Transportation Plan and the redevelopment of the historic Butler Place site.

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Georgie Bambridge joined ArchTam in 2022 as a graduate engineer working in the nuclear sector. As a structural engineer, she has experience working on a major nuclear energy project and on asset care projects on a nuclear energy site.

What inspired you to join the industry?

I was inspired to join the nuclear industry due to the unique combination of technical challenges, responsibility, and impact on the future of energy. From an early age, I wanted to make a positive impact on the world, and I knew the best way to achieve this was through a job I loved. I chose to study structural engineering because of my passion for solving complex problems and applying the mathematical and mechanical principles I learned throughout my education to my project work every day.

 The nuclear industry is the perfect field for me to channel my passion for structural engineering and make a meaningful impact. The challenge of constructing safe, durable, and precise structures, combined with the significant benefits of clean energy, inspires me. I am driven by a commitment to technical excellence and environmental responsibility, making this career path truly fulfilling.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

One of my favourite projects at ArchTam has been working on a nuclear new build facility — an ambitious and highly significant project. ArchTam serves as the lead designer, with a multi-disciplinary team based in the Warrington office. The team’s close collaboration between disciplines — architecture, civil & structural, mechanical, electrical, building services, and project management — ensures seamless coordination and effective problem-solving.

On this project, I had the opportunity to design a seismically qualified portal frame building. This involved designing the structure to maintain stability and integrity under seismic forces, specifically engineering it to resist earthquake-induced loads and deformations. Seismic design is complex provided the unpredictable, dynamic forces applied to the structure, unlike static loads such as gravity and wind. Seismic forces can cause buildings to sway and deform in different directions requiring a deeper understanding of structural dynamics. This design was particularly rewarding given the complexity involved. Through this experience, I developed a strong understanding of seismic structures and how seismic loads are distributed throughout a building.

Nuclear projects require extended timelines due to stringent regulatory requirements, intricate engineering challenges, and high safety and quality standards. This project has a timeline of over 10 years and being part of such a complex and impactful endeavour has been deeply fulfilling.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

I’ve had the privilege of working on nuclear waste management and asset care projects, contributing to legacy cleanup. These efforts play a vital role in creating a cleaner, safer site for future generations, with a positive impact on the local communities. The projects I’ve been involved in have successfully reduced risks, prevented further contamination, and made incremental progress toward the long-term cleanup goals.

This work is profoundly rewarding, as it allows me to contribute to both environmental preservation and public health protection. By restoring contaminated land, air, and water, we’re safeguarding ecosystems and reducing radiation risks for surrounding communities. The challenges are both technical and intellectual, requiring the use of dynamic thinking and close collaboration across disciplines. Ultimately, there’s a deep sense of fulfilment in tackling the lasting impacts of nuclear activities, knowing that our efforts are making a tangible difference in securing a safer future for generations to come.

Share a piece of career advice.

Every project and role presents a fresh challenge and requires a new way of thinking. It’s important to remain open to learning and growth at every stage of your career. Pursue work that you enjoy and remember that with the dynamic nature of the industry, there are countless opportunities. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new — it’s often where the greatest personal and professional growth happens.

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This time, we caught up with Amanda Foote, project engineer from our Water business in U.S. West region, to learn how she chose the path she’s on today.

Hi Amanda. What do you do for ArchTam? 

I am a project engineer and project manager on several projects and have been with ArchTam for 13 years. I have been happily married for 12 years and have two kids, ages eight and three.

Tell us about your journey and how you got here. 

After graduating college, I started working at ArchTam in Akron, Ohio on the City of Akron’s combined sewer overflow (CSO) program. After about a year, Dave Mast, a vice president in the Water business line, pulled me onto his team to prepare the preliminary engineering report for the City of Akron’s first tunnel – the Ohio Canal Interceptor Tunnel – which was an amazing experience and my introduction to tunneling. 

Prior to that experience, I did not have a lot of exposure to trenchless construction, so Dave took the time to explain every aspect of what goes into alignment selection, tunnel boring machine selection, and other factors that drive a tunneling project. I used this opportunity to absorb as much information as I could and really enjoyed learning about the tunneling world. 

Following completion of the Akron tunnel project, I was promoted to project engineer and worked on more projects on Dave’s team for the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. I did design for large tunnel and smaller trenchless design work, including the Dugway South Relief and Consolidation Sewer project, the Doan Valley Relief and Consolidation Sewer project and the Kingsbury Run Culvert Repair projects.

With each project, I learn more and more about the industry. As my mentor, Dave includes me on meetings with technical staff, not just because I can add to the discussion, but so I can listen and learn. I’m grateful for all the guidance he has provided in the last 12 years.

While my official title is currently project engineer, I’ve performed a range of roles on various projects. I was the project manager for the O’Hare TP-36 Stormwater Tunnel project, providing an alternate design to the contractor per their means and methods. Most recently, I was the design engineer and deputy project manager for the City of Akron Northside Interceptor Tunnel (NSIT) project. Although the NSIT project was a fast-paced and sometimes stressful design, my previous project experience enabled me to make a true impact.

I have come to truly love tunneling work and am eager to continue to learn from all the experts here at ArchTam.

What was a career defining moment that stands out for you?

My involvement on the NSIT project, which was completed in 14 months. In addition to my project contributions, I had a great relationship with the client and was able to add value and develop that relationship even more.

What advice do you have for women who want to get into tunneling or another traditionally male-dominated industry?

Don’t be afraid to get dirty. Ask questions. Ask for what you want. It’s ok to not know everything. If you are not sure, ask! Chances are someone else has the same question. If there is something you want to get involved in or see, ask.

What’s the best part of your job?

Seeing the full evolution of the projects I am working on. I have seen several projects through from design to bidding to construction, and even walked inside a tunnel I helped design to perform the final inspection.

If not this path, then what would have been your Career plan B?

I would probably be doing smaller stormwater or water projects for the Cleveland office.

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Rob has worked in dam engineering for 15 years with eight of those years in Australia, where he has supported the design and construction of new dams and the upgrade of many existing dams. He is currently a supervising engineer under the Reservoirs Act 1975 and Reservoirs (Scotland) Act 2011 and is in the process of applying to become an all-reservoir panel engineer.   

What inspired you to join the industry? 

After completing a degree in geology and with an increasing focus on climate change when I was at university, I decided to complete a master’s related to water management, as it was apparent at the time that challenges facing water supply were going to be an issue well into the future. Various types of dams were covered as part of the course and I remember my interest being piqued by the fact that all disciplines of engineering play a role in their design and construction. I then focused my career from my early days as an engineering geologist at a site investigation company to becoming a dam engineer. Since, then I have had the opportunity to work on and lead the design and construction of new dams and the upgrade of existing ones whilst lending my hand to all disciplines of engineering which has kept the job both interesting and challenging. 

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?  

My favourite project at ArchTam has been the abandonment of Purdomstone Reservoir, which is owned by Scottish Water (SW), particularly as I learned a lot about the complexities of abandoning a reservoir, which doesn’t happen very often. SW is the United Kingdom’s largest dam owner with around 280 reservoirs, however more than 100 of these are no longer used for water supply yet still represent an ongoing concern for the business. This is due to the societal risk they pose, with many of these reservoirs upstream of towns and villages.  

I began working on this project in 2020, conducting a study to determine the best course of action for the reservoir—whether to invest in upgrades or abandon it. Since the reservoir was no longer used for water supply, I demonstrated that abandonment was the preferred option due to the societal risk it posed if retained and the ongoing costs to Scottish Water. 

I led the detailed design for the abandonment, which included breaching the main and subsidiary dam embankments to restore the original watercourse level, constructing a new access track through the reservoir basin, infilling the by-wash channel, and implementing erosion protection measures. A key benefit of abandonment was enabling fish passage upstream. After consulting SEPA and Scottish Water, I incorporated a bottomless culvert into the access track design to facilitate fish movement. 

One major challenge was managing sediment accumulation in the reservoir. Based on our analysis of the sediment depth, I developed a solution to pump water from the reservoir into storage lagoons at higher elevations within the basin. A flocculant was then added to separate the silt from the water, which was subsequently discharged into the by-wash channel. 

Throughout 2024, I provided onsite construction support, addressing technical queries during the works. My lasting impression of the project came at its completion, as I marveled at how quickly the reservoir basin reverted to a natural state. 

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community. 

As a result of working on dams, we regularly benefit the communities we serve. Flood storage, in particular, is often what delivers the most tangible benefits for residents. I have been involved in the design of several flood storage reservoirs (FSRs) at ArchTam that have protected the downstream population from flooding. One of the largest of these was Robin Dam situated on the River Garnock in Ayrshire. I was a lead designer responsible for completing the stability and seepage analyses for the dam and also the design of its filter arrangement. 

Share a piece of career advice. 

Take full advantage of any opportunities that present themselves when you work for a large multinational company like ArchTam. I took an opportunity to move to Australia and it was the best decision I ever made, based on the project experience I gained, and the people I worked with, which has helped shape my career to date.   

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This time, we caught up with Kate Mignone, associate vice president, New England water resources market sector lead, to learn how she chose the path she’s on today.

 Hi Kate. What do you do for ArchTam? 

I’ve been with ArchTam for 19 years and currently contribute across a range of roles. I am project manager on combined sewer overflow (CSO) and tunnel projects, project director on stormwater, resiliency and conveyance projects and the market sector lead for water resources in New England. I live in New Hampshire with my husband, two kids, a cat, two fish and eight chickens.

Tell us about your journey and how you got here. 

My first role out of college was staff engineer for VHB on the site development team. However, I aspired to help the environment and communities, not to develop land for office buildings and malls. I then joined Dufresne-Henry and worked for five years as a staff engineer on stormwater and sewer models and CSO programs. 

In 2005, I joined ArchTam via Metcalf and Eddy as a project engineer. At the time, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay in engineering. I pursued my master’s degree in business administration in college and always had an interest in the business side of things, but guidance from my mentor in the CSO field and being exposed to many different projects helped me decide to stay in engineering and continue to develop my modelling skills.

In 2012, I was promoted to project manager and asked if I wanted to help on a small project to oversee hydraulics modelling. I said yes and that small tunneling project, the South Hartford tunnel, turned out to be the catalyst for many future tunneling projects. I learned so much about tunnel sizing, surge and other technical considerations for tunnels and consolidation conduits.

After my portion of the South Hartford Tunnel finished in 2014/2015, I continued working on different CSO projects and helped to grow our presence with several projects in Maine. I managed a couple of my own projects for Hartford Metropolitan District (MDC). I continued supporting stormwater projects and designs for Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Rhode Island Department of Transportation and at one point even managed stormwater projects for Water, Transportation and Environment business lines. 

I also got more involved in business development and marketing. I helped with the Hartford MDC one-time on-call proposal and found I enjoyed working on marketing pursuits.

In my current role, I’ve enjoyed using my MBA and focusing on strategic client growth opportunities as well as continuing to manage additional tunnel projects. Looking back, I did not expect one tunnel project in 2012 would lead to these additional opportunities years later. I didn’t go into my career choosing to tunnel, tunnelling found me.

What was a career defining moment for you?

I was relatively shy and reserved until college. During college, I made an effort to be more outgoing.  Now I embrace that I am an ambivert. It is the best of both worlds and really reflects both aspects of my extroverted side as well as my introverted time.

Tell us about any learning opportunities or development programs that helped you grow.

In 2021, I was asked to participate in the LIFT program — an internal ArchTam leadership program, which is now called Elevate — where I attended seminars with other ArchTam leaders and had career coaching. This coaching gave me the confidence to ask to be a market sector lead for water resources. 

What was one of your proudest moments?

I really loved math and science growing up, so as part of one of my high school Girl Scout projects, I helped set up my town’s recycling program. That experience helped me realize I wanted to incorporate my love for the environment into my civil engineering career.

If not this path, then what would have been your Career plan B?
This is a topic we discuss often at my house. My husband is creative and has so many ideas. Me on the other hand, not as much. I could see myself getting into a business combining yoga and baking!

The post Career Path Spotlight: Kate Mignone appeared first on Blog.

Across the nation, our young professionals continue to showcase what it means to deliver a better world through innovative ideas and unparalleled leadership. Their sustainable focused work positively impacts our clients, communities and world for generations. We are excited to congratulate and introduce our ENR 2025 National and Regional Top Young professionals. Read more about each of our honorees:

ENR East

Aneesh Karlekar, Director. As director of the energy business practice in ArchTam’s New York Metro and East Region, Aneesh provides solutions to major utility, private and public clients, within the transportation electrification, renewable energy, grid modernization and energy advisory market segments. Aneesh is responsible for setting the business’ strategic direction in the region, providing oversight for the delivery of the 150-plus projects, and bringing leadership and mentorship to the team. Aneesh is the client account manager for the New York Power Authority, the state’s leading utility and a leader in energy transition. Previously, as a project manager, Aneesh delivered multiple projects including landmark projects like a $40 million EPC project for a digestor gas conditioning plant and $20 million O&M of the co-generation facility.

Matthew Calvey, Architect. With 16 years of experience, Matthew is an innovative architect who has helped design high-performance buildings globally and locally across Massachusetts and New York. He contributed to Boston’s urban planning standards through the city’s Living with Water competition, which focused on resilience against rising sea levels. Using digital tools, he has shared expertise to create energy-efficient, healthy buildings worldwide. At ArchTam, Matthew focuses on Boston Logan Airport’s Terminal E, managing complex BIM models, design, documentation, construction administration and project management. He collaborates closely with the construction team to realize the terminal’s intricate geometries and systems through virtual clash resolution and redesigns.

ENR Texas and Southeast

Milad Rezaee, Senior Structural Engineer. Milad has over a decade of professional experience in civil and structural engineering, with expertise ranging from FEA and structural design of ports, wharves, and coastal structures to CFD, hydraulic design, and hydrodynamic modeling. At ArchTam, Milad has served as a structural lead, deputy project manager, and structural engineer on several high-profile and impactful projects, delivering innovative and efficient design solutions. Milad’s leadership includes mentoring junior engineers, fostering technical growth, and promoting collaboration. His commitment to operational efficiency is evident in his use of advanced tools and methodologies to optimize workflows and outcomes. As a digital lead, Milad spearheads initiatives to integrate automation technologies, driving project delivery improvements and fostering a culture of innovation across regional departments.

ENR West

Alicia Pajares, Water Resources Project Manager. Based in Seattle with 12 years of industry experience, Alicia leads water resources planning projects nationwide. Her work revolves around developing solutions for drought resilience, flood prevention and watershed protection. Throughout her career, she has worked with federal agencies including the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), evaluating water resources projects including new reservoirs, agricultural water supply, flood control and watershed protection projects for primarily rural and underserved communities. These projects have involved detailed environmental checks and balances required to construct new infrastructure, which have allowed Alicia to continue to strive as a steward for the environment.

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Based in St. Albans, England, Phil Wayles has been with ArchTam for over 38 years, originally joining as a graduate civil engineer at one of our legacy companies. Phil is a project director on National Highways major projects, a program manager for AlUla Lead Design Infrastructure and leads the contractors program for surface transportation, aviation and ports. His role is to strengthen relationships and develop the pipeline of opportunities with our contractor partners. He has also led the delivery of major highways projects and development infrastructure planning and design work in the UK, Republic of Guinea in West Africa, and Poland.  

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry. 

I’ve always been interested in designing and making things. At school, one of my favourite lessons was woodworking; I always enjoyed the process of taking something from a simple idea to a tangible product. This interest worked hand in hand with the fact that my dad was a mechanical engineer who got to work on several international projects. I liked the idea of getting to combine my passion for creating things with my desire to travel. 

Whilst studying civil engineering at the University of Leeds, I got the chance to do some summer work constructing the Devonshire Dock Hall, a shipbuilding and assembly complex in Barrow-in-Furness, which was famous for building nuclear submarines. Working on a large-scale civil engineering site confirmed to me that it was the line of work I wanted to pursue, and ArchTam allowed me to do this on an international scale. 

What is your favourite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why? 

The standout project I’ve worked on is the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet. This is the biggest road project currently being built in the United Kingdom.  

The A428 is the only section of single carriageway between Milton Keynes and Cambridge. Road users are subject to low speeds, delays and congestion — particularly at the A1/A421 Black Cat roundabout, Caxton Gibbet Junction and the numerous side roads, leading to regular incidents and self-diverting traffic on local roads. Currently, 23,500 vehicles travel daily between Cambridge Road and Caxton Gibbet. With local growth, this is expected to rise to 33,000 by 2040 and 46,000 by 2038, doubling the intended traffic volume. 

Working as the project director, my role was to lead our large multidisciplinary team through the preliminary design phase and secure the Development Consent Order (DCO). The key to the smooth delivery of the project was the collaborative approach adopted by all partners, which gave people the chance to speak up about challenges and present solutions in an open setting. This approach was invaluable due to the challenges presented by the sheer scale of the work. The stretch of road is over 10 miles long with a river and flood plain crossing, many other bridges and three large junctions, all of which required specialist advice. These challenges led us to collaborate with Skanska and other tier 2 contractors to get their expert opinions and inputs on the design, which gave more assurance to the client and customers. 

The local communities will benefit from improved and more reliable journey times, better access to train stations, and safer routes for pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, and people with disabilities. Traffic will be reduced on local roads and villages, and environmental mitigation efforts will address cultural heritage, air quality, noise, ecology, and landscaping, aiming for net zero. Legacy funds will support local initiatives, projects, and community groups, while providing work for local people and supporting STEM education and school projects. 

The project has had a massive positive legacy, not only for the communities, who we reached out to through the innovative use of digital solutions such as virtual consultation rooms to get a more diverse population of local people involved — and a Minecraft flythrough for our younger participants — but also internally, as we received great feedback from ArchTam employees. Many colleagues reported it being the best project they ever worked on. 

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community. 

In the late 1980s, I got the chance to go to the Republic of Guinea in West Africa to work on a new road project, upgrading part of the main route between the country’s two largest cities. This involved a 128-kilometer stretch of rural road to connect Guéckédou to Sérédou, which would improve connectivity for local people and provide greater opportunities to sell produce and products.  

Once complete, the travel time was reduced from two weeks to two hours! This became the catalyst for further development and economic growth for the area. The project was very exciting to me. Getting the chance to project manage an international project at just 25 was the realisation of the dream I’d been working towards — although I didn’t imagine I’d be celebrating my 25^th birthday surrounded by snakes! The project also proved invaluable for my career as it allowed me to experience different cultures and work with foreign contractors in a difficult remote setting. 

Share a piece of career advice. 

As made evident by my own career experience, this industry offers a variety of unique opportunities. Grasp opportunities presented to you and don’t be afraid to reach out to colleagues who may have more experience than you for support and guidance. Equally, I think it’s very important to give back to others through mentoring and buddy systems to allow the next generation of engineers to develop their skills. I also think that it’s important to make sure that you are constantly setting new goals for yourself to ensure that you are continuously learning. 

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Jessika Schoplick is a program manager in our Business Development team for National Governments in Europe, leading proposal efforts to win major framework contracts and expand our service offerings for U.S. Federal clients in Europe. She holds a master’s degree in Geography and has managed projects and programs for U.S. Department of Defense clients in Europe for 24 years. Jessika has a wealth of experience in environmental planning and architecture and engineering projects throughout Europe and is committed to maintaining and continuously improving client satisfaction. 

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.  

With a background in geography and environmental sciences, I chose to pursue a broader, holistic approach in my career, focusing on understanding the bigger picture and integrating multiple disciplines rather than limiting myself to deep technical specialization. After completing my master’s thesis and postgraduate research on fire ecology and forest regeneration at the Arctic tree line in Canada, I started my early career as a project manager for natural resources-related planning at military sites in Germany.  

Through these projects, I was inspired by both my colleagues and clients, who showed me that successful project completion depends on a true partnership with the client, where everyone works together toward a shared goal. 

As I gained a deeper understanding of client needs and requirements, my role evolved into one where I now mentor staff to understand and comply with these client requirements, spanning the full range of services ArchTam delivers to the U.S. Federal government in Europe. What still inspires me every day is the ability to leverage ArchTam’s vast global resources to find a solution for almost any specialty question that’s out there. 

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

One of my favorite projects involves leading the proposal for a master planning contract in Europe. The contract involved planning and design work at military installations in Germany, Iceland, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Italy. Collaborating closely with our U.S.-based planning team, we combined local knowledge and global experience to win our first large Europe-based master planning contract for the U.S. Army in Europe. This success demonstrated the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing within ArchTam. 

Another memorable project that I managed was a survey for the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research facilities in Kenya. Despite the straightforward scope, the project presented numerous challenges, including locating and accessing remote facilities, coordinating travel and understanding local requirements. By collaborating with our architects and engineers local to the region who performed the on-site surveys and infrastructure assessments and a U.S.-based digital solutions team who developed custom-made software, we successfully delivered a project that was not exactly in our backyard. At the same time, working with our global colleagues resulted in a great relationship for future opportunities. 

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

I have a deep sense of pride, knowing that our work directly strengthens the security and stability of the countries we serve. Our projects positively impact local communities by improving infrastructure, enhancing the quality of life for service personnel stationed or rotating through Europe and ensuring compliance with environmental standards. I’m proud to contribute to winning critical projects such as designing military Army family housing, dining facilities, headquarters, training facilities and upgrading rail and airfields. These efforts bolster national security during times of political unrest, natural disasters, climate change and economic challenges. 

Share a piece of career advice.

My primary piece of advice is that sharing knowledge with colleagues, collaborating and listening to the client is more valuable than hoarding knowledge to feel irreplaceable. Collaboration and open communication propel you and your team further than working in isolation ever could.   

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