Rosa and Ken now join Bill Hanway, our global sports and social infrastructure lead, and Marc Colella, our global buildings and systems engineering lead, alongside our legacy Fellows in shaping the future of Technical Excellence at ArchTam.

The Fellows Induction Ceremony honored each Fellow’s decades of contribution, innovation, and dedication. They are more than experts; they are mentors, thought leaders, and true pioneers whose work continually raises the bar in our industry.

Recognizing their achievements was a powerful reminder of how they set new standards in their fields and make a profound difference in the communities we serve.

At the following day’s Fellows Summit, we explored how this prestigious program can inspire the next generation of technical leaders and deepen our collective impact. In a series of thought-provoking sessions, we discussed each Fellow’s unique role in bringing our vision to life with our people and clients, examined pathways for our technical careers, and planned for the legacy of expertise we aim to leave.

A Tribute to Rosa and Ken

Rosa and Ken are extraordinary, each bringing a unique technical focus that resonates across our company. To highlight their contributions, we’ve captured their stories in two special tribute videos that showcase their respective journeys, impact – and the future they’re helping to create.

Early in my career at ArchTam, I was guided by brilliant mentors who, in many ways, were Fellows long before this program officially began. Their generosity with their knowledge and insights inspired me, and it’s a legacy I see carried forward by our Fellows today. This sense of shared purpose, of lifting up the next generation, is something I know Rosa, Ken, Bill, and Marc deeply embody.

Our Fellows are remarkable leaders whose dedication, drive, and collaboration ensure that our TechEx Factor will continue to power what we do and how we do it. I am excited to see how they will continue to develop our people, engage our clients, and push our industry forward as we work together to deliver a better world.

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The way we work has changed a lot over that time, but that feeling of pride that comes from delivering the right technical solution for our clients has remained a constant — it never gets old, and it powers our culture of TechEx.

I often hear that people join ArchTam for the opportunity to address some of the world’s biggest infrastructure challenges, and they stay because those opportunities keep coming — not just the projects to work on, but the chance to develop new technical skills, to work alongside the industry’s best technical experts, and to build careers that make a real impact on the communities we serve.  

Our industry is rapidly-evolving, and continuous learning is critical to our ability to deliver excellence today, and every day.

ArchTam’s Global Technical Academies are ‘built by us, for us,’ leveraging the skills of our own experts to provide structured technical training courses that build knowledge and networks, extend skills, and grow careers.

Thousands of our team members around the world are participating to power their own professional and technical development, and help sharpen our competitive edge. During a site visit to the multi-award winning Tseung Kwan O Lam Tin Tunnel in Hong Kong — a project we helped deliver — I saw first-hand the transformational impact we can make when passion, pride and industry-leading technical expertise combine.

We asked some of our Global Technical Academy alumni to share how they are applying the skills gained through participation to further advance their careers.

Renee McKay – Graduate Sustainable & Resilience Consultant (Wellington, New Zealand)

“The Sustainable Legacies Technical Academy courses helped me bridge the gap between university and work. Particularly helpful for me were the courses on the assessment of climate change risks, adaptation pathways, and reporting frameworks. These have prepared me for the emerging task in our New Zealand team of helping businesses and organizations (particularly in the energy sector) assess their climate risk and become more aware of their possible weaknesses to climate change as well as in the transition to a zero-carbon economy.”

Yuelin Liang – Associate Director, ITS (Edinburgh, Scotland)

“Program Controls is one of the most challenging topics in Global Program Management, so I participated in the 12 lessons of Global Program Management Academy training. It was a transformative experience that provided a comprehensive perspective on managing projects on a global and large scale. Each training module was designed to meet the needs of participants across all levels of expertise, catering to both novices and seasoned professionals like myself to foster continuous growth and development. Overall, the GPM Program Controls training has been a pivotal milestone in my professional development, propelling me towards greater success and fulfilment in the dynamic realm of project management.”

Mira Bourova – GIS Manager (Chicago, United States)

“In the Summer of 2023, I participated in the Sustainable Legacies: Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation, and Transportation Innovations courses. As a GIS Manager with ArchTam for more than 5 years — and with a 20-year career in GIS — I was looking for a better understanding of the projects ArchTam is involved in when the discussion comes to addressing sustainability and innovations in transportation. As a result of participating in these Academy courses, I was able to develop a deeper understanding of the processes, procedures, and expectations in our company, allowing me to better support my Florida Transportation team and my new Chicago team. I think these are valuable courses to take.”

Tamer El Bagoury – Principal Engineer, Mechanical (Qatar)

“Participating in the Water Academy has been a game-changer for me, even though I don’t have a background in water engineering. The courses provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and best practices involved in designing and constructing pumping stations, insights into hydraulic systems, water management, and the latest technologies used in the field. I have successfully applied my newfound skills to design a stormwater pumping station, and I was able to approach the project with confidence and deliver exceptional results. This knowledge has greatly broadened my professional outlook and allowed me to contribute to projects in ways I hadn’t previously envisioned.”

Monica Waits – Rail Deputy Department Manager (Philadelphia, United States)

“Completing the Transit Rail Network course within our Transportation Academy has broadened my outlook on ArchTam’s technical capabilities, and expanded my professional network. The Academy modules were conducted in a way that allowed me to balance my professional development with my design work, and I appreciated having the opportunity to exchange knowledge — and build relationships — with a diverse group of participants from around the world. I can now apply the lessons I’ve learned to the projects I am designing.”

Kamalen Diaz – Civil Engineering (Austin, United States)

“As a young engineer with just over a year of experience, the Transportation Academy’s Transportation Innovations course was transformative for me, providing an overview of transportation innovations, implementation, and operations and alternative delivery contracting approaches, all of which broadened my understanding of the transportation industry and ArchTam’s role within it. I have applied my newly-developed skills on projects already — providing technical support for the implementation of a state DOT Cooperative and Automated Transportation (CAT) Program. This opportunity allowed me to apply the innovative concepts learned and collaborate with fellow course participants and experts. The academy promotes both professional and personal growth, and I highly recommend it to young professionals looking to grow within ArchTam and the transportation industry as a whole.”

Mackenzie Hirt – Federal Air Force PFAS Program Manager (Austin, United States)

“Participating in the Environment & Energy Academy provided accelerated learning and global networking opportunities. Personally, completing the PFAS course provided me a sense of place and better understanding of how our PFAS remediation practice fits into the larger pursuit of protecting human health and its alignment with ArchTam’s purpose of ‘delivering a better world’. Through this course, I was exposed to PFAS experts across our enterprise. I was able to immediately apply what I learned to a design-build groundwater pump-and-treat project limiting the offsite transport of PFAS at a Department of Defense facility. It’s always exciting to learn how others at ArchTam are solving our clients’ problems. I’m thankful to be a part of an organization that prioritizes learning and invests in cross-geography collaboration through programs like our Global Technical Academies.”

Explore career opportunities to work with us and to learn how you could help us further build our TechEx Factor.

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Whether via our carbon tracking tool used throughout the conference, or through our participation in numerous bilateral meetings, industry debates and panel discussions, our team on the ground demonstrated our commitment to addressing the climate emergency, and our capability to drive positive change. 

Now, as post-conference discussion focuses on what must happen next to realize the potential of the final agreement, there is cause to be optimistic for what lies ahead. 

At a time marked by both significant challenge and opportunity, we believe climate ambition is translating into sustainable, meaningful, collective climate action – and that the last few weeks in Dubai have demonstrated that progress is accelerating, particularly across the infrastructure and built environment space.  

The COP28 agreement by nearly 200 countries to “transition away from fossil fuels” is significant after looking improbable early on, and the COP28 pledge to triple renewable energy investment and production is a landmark moment. 

When both agreements are framed in the context of International Energy Agency (IEA) research that predicts global spending on clean energy is to reach US$1.8trillion in 2023 – outpacing the US$1.1 trillion allocated to fossil fuels – it’s clear this “transition away” via investment in offshore wind, solar and hydrogen is already well underway. 

We see investment in renewable energy – and in the global energy transition – as one of several secular trends alongside broader infrastructure investment, and investment specifically focused on sustainability and resilience, that reinforce the “glass half full” view of many at COP28. 

In the U.S., the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have sharpened private-sector focus around clean energy investment, and elsewhere around the world we are seeing significant growth in green investment and technologies. The global “infrastructure renaissance” we’re helping deliver is increasingly being approached through a sustainability and resilience lens, a marked departure from even a few years ago.  

Our recent Future of Infrastructure report – Lost in transition? – finds there is increasing momentum propelling the global energy transition forward, with 74 percent of the organizations we surveyed reporting significant acceleration in their adaptation efforts. While cost and inflationary pressures, skills shortages and competing priorities remain, they are not insurmountable. Practical, profitable, predictable and people-centric strategies exist to achieve net zero. 

Knowledge, compromise and collaboration are critical, and COP28 has been an important and constructive opportunity to build understanding, challenge convention, engage in difficult conversations, bolster collaboration and, as much as is possible, drive consensus on the actions that matter, like decarbonizing supply chains and ensuring the hard work within communities provides tangible social value in the longer term. 

Outside the Green and Blue Zones of COP28, we know our clients around the world are eager to progress the decarbonization of their own operations, as well as learn how to implement ambitious sustainability, resilience and net zero agendas. 

That’s where we see massive opportunity for us to play our part, aligned with our Sustainable Legacies strategy. The investments we continue to make to attract the industry’s best to ArchTam, and to shape our business to deliver impactful work aligned with our purpose of delivering a better world – from day one advisory services to industry-leading technical delivery anchored in digital innovation – is helping transform a desire to change to a demand – truly pivoting from ambition to action.

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Follow this year’s conversations on LinkedIn and Twitter, as well as the ArchTam Blog.

Infrastructure shapes how we live our lives—and how society makes progress. On International Women’s Day, Lara Poloni traces her 30-year career journey from urban planner to ArchTam President, outlining what progress can look like when organizations embrace equity – and when women stand up and seize opportunities.

Infrastructure is a living testament to our progress in communities around the world, reflecting social and economic impact as well as the values we share and our aspirations for the future. When done right, infrastructure is a conduit for access, equity and sustainability.

On International Women’s Day, I’m reminded that to achieve progress and create opportunities for ourselves and others, we must – regardless of gender – do something simple yet daunting: we must be bold with our own aspirations, and that often means starting with saying ‘yes’ rather than focusing on the reasons to say ‘no’.

In an unequal society that is no easy task, especially for women. For so long, many of us have experienced barriers to career progression that have led to historical and ongoing inequities. During my 30-year career, I’ve witnessed some of those inequities first-hand. But I’ve also watched so many women and men bravely confront and overcome them by calling out bias, affirming one another, reckoning with doubts, and making hard choices that have led the way toward a more equitable industry and society. In short, we said ‘yes.’

‘Starting with yes’ is powerful, which I learned very early in my career. But sometimes you need the confidence that comes with time and experience, or with a sponsor who will look out for you to consciously shift to ‘yes’ rather than acceptance of ‘no’ or ‘too hard, not now.’

When I finished college, I naturally applied for graduate level jobs, which assumed no work experience but, of course, preferred it.Dealing with rejections was really tough, but I kept at it.

One day, I decided I wasn’t going to take ‘no’ for an answer. I walked into the office of the best urban planning practice in Melbourne. I told them that I would work for free and, if they didn’t like me, they could let me go after a month.

They never did.

I learned so much from that first experience about backing myself, and that I shouldn’t be afraid of my own drive to succeed. It was a lesson that served me well later in my career when the stakes were higher.

After many fulfilling years at ArchTam, gaining valuable experience and confidence, and managing various parts of the Environment and Transportation businesses, I was presented with a new opportunity: to become Chief Executive of ArchTam’s Australia and New Zealand business.

I was stunned and unsure if I was truly ready. Nevertheless, I said ‘yes’. 

My appointment as a senior woman in a sector underrepresented by women brought with it a level of interest and opportunity that I used to my advantage, spearheading initiatives that benefited ArchTam, and our industry.

We launched ambitious equity, diversity and inclusion targets, led our local industry in workplace flexibility, and deepened our engagement with schools to encourage young women to join the industry—efforts which fed into our graduate recruitment and a 50/50 gender split. We also commenced a long-term work placement program for young indigenous women and men, which almost a decade on continues to inspire a lot of pride in our teams.

Even in my subsequent roles as Europe, Middle East and Africa Chief Executive, and, more recently, as ArchTam President, there was that element of “how am I going to do this?” but the prior experiences of backing myself gave me the confidence I needed to say ‘yes’ to my future opportunities.  In fact, whenever am I asked for career advice from many women at ArchTam or in our industry, I start by saying that “you need to be bold and back yourself first and foremost”.

These steps in my career taught me that success, in many ways, comes from uncertainty. Only by saying ‘yes’ to ourselves can we also say ‘yes’ to others, giving them the opportunity to thrive. It’s these small actions—these affirmations of ourselves and others—that constitute progress. And in my role as ArchTam’s President, progress has been my purpose.

Today, women make up more than 33 percent of our workforce, while two thirds of our executive team and 50 percent of our Board are from a diverse background. We’re seeing Employee Resource Groups flourish across our regions, contributing to a more inclusive culture at ArchTam. We’re pioneering flexibility in the workplace that gives both women and men the freedom to grow. And these efforts to champion equity, diversity and inclusion have received recognition from The Human Rights Campaign, Ethisphere, Fortune, and more.

Infrastructure is driving progress around the world, enabling more sustainable and resilient solutions to address the climate emergency. It is also promoting equitable representation and participation. For women in particular, there is massive opportunity to continue to step up and lead this positive change.

To do so will take openness—not only to our differences, but to our aspirations as well. Challenges? There will be plenty. But we’re determined to build a more equitable world by standing up, by being heard, by ‘starting with yes.’

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It’s, of course, a big challenge, but we’re up to it. Why do I think that? Well, I’m a living example of the opportunities a company like ArchTam — with its commitment to diversity and inclusion — can offer women.

I first started with our company more than 20 years ago as a planner, and today I’m Chief Executive, leading a 3,000-person-strong team of talented specialists who work with our clients to achieve some pretty amazing things.

As one of the only women  leading a company this size in our industry across Australia and New Zealand, I’m immensely proud, but I also feel the responsibility to do what I can to ensure the next generation of talented women has the same opportunities as me to reach the top of their chosen field, whatever that field might be.

Put simply, diversity and equality make good business sense. At ArchTam, in more than 150 countries, this is the way we want to do business. It’s not just because we want to ensure both women and men receive the same opportunities; our clients, too, have also told us how important it is to do business with firms that are showing real leadership in addressing the issues of pay inequality and unconscious bias. If we want to remain an employer of choice and trusted client partner, demonstrating a commitment to discussing these issues and, more importantly, acting to address them, is essential.

With 30 percent of our 3,000-strong Australia and New Zealand team currently being women, I’m the first to admit we have room for improvement, across a range of metrics.

Since becoming Chief Executive, I’ve sought to initiate open, frank conversations around the structural, cultural and unconscious barriers faced by our women, and the actions needed to overcome them.

Our mCircles network, for example, provides mentoring opportunities for women and a forum to discuss, explore and support. Online, meanwhile, debate and discussion are flourishing across geographies through our WomenExcel group on our internal social media platform.

But it’s not just about making it easier for women to access appropriate career support and networking opportunities internally. By attracting an army of supporters externally, across industries, we can contribute to a comprehensive, international and year-round conversation about how we can unlock the full potential of women in businesses of all sizes, in all industries.

I’m proud, for example, to be one of 62 Australian business leaders to have signed on as an ambassador for the Australian government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s (WGEA’s) In Your Hands campaign. My ambassadorial role is to encourage other business leaders to recognise pay equity as a key business imperative.

We’re currently working with the WGEA to assess any pay gaps and develop solutions to bring about pay equity. Meanwhile, industry mentoring programs in Australia including the National Association of Women in Construction, and others as part of the Committee for Melbourne and Roads Australia, are all building to a point where gender equality is emerging from the fringes to be an integral part of how organisations develop, progress and succeed.

At ArchTam, we’re focusing on long-term lead indicators such as development opportunities for women, promoting more women from within the organisation, and hiring more women into leadership roles from outside our business.

We believe that conducting gender pay reviews when we first hire women will help, along with ensuring that salaries of women on maternity leave keep up with their peers who have not taken a career break.

These few initial focus areas are only the beginning. It’s through setting achievable targets that we build momentum for positive change while empowering women to take control of their careers —  that is paramount to our efforts.

It’s time to get serious; it’s time to “make it happen.”

What are you going to do to ensure #WomenExcel? Comment below, and be sure to use the #WomenExcel hashtag when you share this post on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

Lara Poloni is chief executive, Australia New Zealand, at ArchTam and leads a 3,000-person-strong team of designers, engineers, planners, scientists, economists and project managers across 25 central business districts, regional and project offices. Lara is a member of the global ArchTam Executive Committee as well as a member of ArchTam’s Asia-Pacific leadership team.
LinkedIn: Lara Poloni

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