How long have you been in engineering, and how long have you been at Prudent?
I have been in engineering since I graduated from RIT in 1981. I worked for 36 years with NYSDOT and started working at Prudent Engineering in 2019. In April 2025, I will have been with Prudent Engineering for six years.

What inspired you to go into the field of engineering?
I have always been curious about how things are built, and I have a strong love for science, math, and problem-solving. Civil engineering seemed like the perfect field to fulfill all of these interests. I chose civil engineering because it is a discipline where you can visualize and ultimately produce a tangible end product that serves a functional purpose, such as a road or a bridge.

How difficult was it to break into engineering when you first started? Do you feel supported on the job now, or are there still barriers to overcome? If so, what types of barriers have you experienced?
I don’t know if I ever viewed my career as "breaking into" engineering. I always believed that if I did my best, I would reach my goals as an engineer. For the most part, I have felt supported, but I also realized early on that I needed to step out of my comfort zone. I found that I had to be the one to ask questions and step up for larger projects or challenges. NYSDOT provided great opportunities for me to do that, as long as I was willing to seek them out.

Did you have a mentor in the field? Do you mentor others, and if so, why?
I can’t say that I had a single, specific mentor. However, when I look back at my career, I see many people who inspired me and whom I admired at different points in my journey. I hope that I serve as a mentor to younger engineers who are just starting their careers. As I approach retirement, I hope to be seen as someone who has helped guide those at the beginning of their careers.

What impact do you feel women are having on innovation and technology in engineering, particularly in areas such as computerization, technology use, sustainability, and smart engineering? How do you feel women’s perspectives are shaping the field?
I believe women bring a different perspective to problem-solving. When women in engineering collaborate with a team, they can provide insights that may alter the direction of a project or offer refinements that keep progress moving at a critical decision-making point. This applies across all aspects of innovation and technology. The most important thing is ensuring that women’s voices are heard.

What do you see as the future of women in engineering and related roles? How can we inspire young girls to enter the field?
I see continued growth for women in engineering. We can inspire younger girls by keeping career options open to them early on. This can be achieved through school presentations by women in engineering, field trips to active projects, and advocating for young women who choose to pursue engineering. These were opportunities I did not have when I entered the field. However, I have seen how much progress women in engineering have made since I started my career. I am grateful for those who paved the way before me, and I am hopeful for even greater progress as I see the incredible accomplishments of women in engineering today.