I grew up near Philadelphia, PA; went to college at Lehigh University where I earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Then I went to Purdue University to get a master’s degree in structural engineering. I moved to the Denver area in 1996 to get a job and be near the mountains. I have been working in the transportation field for over 25 years and love providing solutions for our communities. My husband is a high school math teacher and my 16-year old son plays soccer.

What inspired you to explore STEM when you were young?

I was really good at math and science and figuring out how things worked. That really started me into learning about engineering. The more I learned, the more I realized how engineering impacts almost everything we do.

What do you enjoy most about what you do in your STEM career?

I enjoy leading team of people to solve complicated transportation problems. Its challenging and rewarding. At the end of a project, its fun to see the new bridge and people using it.

What is an interesting fact you would like to share with students about your STEM field?

Engineering touches almost every part of your life. From the water you drink to how you got to school today to the technology that allows us to connect remotely. We take it for granted that engineers are working hard, often behind the scenes, to make your life better.