In plotting their career paths, these Top Young Pros have conquered many challenges, from improving their public speaking skills to learning how to manage teams and lead massive projects.

“I’d say public speaking at a young age was a challenge for me,” says Tim Prince, director of safety, health and environment for AECOM Hunt. “I honestly could not stand getting up and talking to a room. My career helped push me to get outside of my comfort zone and motivated me to be a better speaker.”

And to overcome the difficulties of starting one’s own business, Jason Sevener, owner of 7er Construction, says, “It’s OK to ask questions and its OK to make mistakes. If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not pushing yourself enough.”

To select this year’s recipients, ENR turned to former Top Young Pros as judges: Emily Hyland of HDR Inc.; Abbas Kachwalla of AECOM; Megan McPhilimy of HNTB; Cavin Berube of Moore Engineering; and Nicole Franklin of Bechtel.

In an industry facing challenges in attracting and retaining talent, these young leaders stand out. Explore the achievements and career paths of ENR Midwest’s 2026 Top Young Professionals.

 

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Sharod Alford
Drives innovation and overcomes challenges
38, Area Field Engineer
Bechtel
New Albany, Ohio

Sharod Alford has built his career by solving civil construction challenges and transforming obstacles into innovations that move the industry forward. A first-generation college graduate and Gates Scholar from Griffin, Ga., Alford learned early that persistence and preparation can overcome obstacles.

Alford began his Bechtel career overseeing the installation of 2.2 million solar panels in the Mojave Desert. He went on to deliver 11 Google Fiber projects and led upgrades to more than 100 cell towers. At Plant Vogtle, the first new U.S. nuclear reactor in more than 30 years, he served as the civil, structural and architectural field engineer, overseeing a 20-person team through 24-hour concrete placements.

Now, as area field engineer for Bechtel’s semiconductor fabrication center in Ohio, Alford is helping pioneer precast concrete methods that reduce schedules by months and save millions—earning his team Bechtel’s Innovation of the Year award.

Beyond the jobsite, Alford mentors aspiring engineers through Georgia Tech’s Office of Minority Educational Development program and the National Society of Black Engineers. His best career advice is to “stay curious, seek information and ask questions, but do not be afraid to make a decision.”

 

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Amisha Daniels
Fuels innovation and growth
36, Project Development Manager
McCownGordon Construction
Wichita, Kan.

Amisha Daniels combines technical expertise, entrepreneurial acumen and people-focused leadership. As the head of McCownGordon’s Kansas manufacturing market, she has built the business unit from the ground up, driving growth through strategic client engagement, early-stage workshops and operational innovation. In less than a year, her efforts have expanded services and strengthened client confidence, establishing a model for future markets.

Before joining McCownGordon, Daniels led the global facilities project management team at Spirit AeroSystems, overseeing nearly 80% of the company’s capital expenditure budget. She managed design, construction and equipment procurement for major facilities and translated complex program visions into actionable plans that enabled expansion into space and defense markets.

“One of the most meaningful challenges I’ve overcome has been learning to lead in a highly specialized market where the path forward is rarely defined and teams come in with competing priorities,” she says. “Early in my career, I learned to drive alignment and progress without relying on formal authority. I frequently had to bring cross-functional teams together by cutting through competing priorities, breaking issues down to their core and helping the group move toward a clear, practical solution.”

Her entrepreneurial drive was sharpened through a shaved ice business she expanded from a $10,000 investment to a multilocation enterprise before a successful exit.

 

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Anthony Guzman
Helped build a small start-up
34, Project Executive
Cullen Construction Management
Chicago

Growing up in Cicero, Ill., Anthony Guzman overcame early challenges and earned a civil engineering degree from Northwestern University—an achievement that laid the foundation for a career built on resilience and innovation.

As one of Cullen’s first hires, Guzman helped transform the firm from a small start-up into a thriving 29-person company. The path wasn’t easy—rapid growth demanded new systems, consistency and culture. Guzman tackled those challenges head-on, creating internal frameworks for estimating, document control and jobsite coordination that have become the company’s operational backbone.

When scaling risked diluting connection, Guzman doubled down on mentorship and communication. He launched the continuous improvement committee, led onboarding programs and set an example through his daily presence and approachability. His bilingual fluency bridges gaps on diverse jobsites, ensuring collaboration and respect across teams.

Today, Guzman oversees complex projects across the country and cultivates lasting partnerships based on trust.

“I enjoy navigating projects early in the preconstruction phase,” he says. “The planning and impact the team makes during this phase is felt throughout the project. I’m always amazed how we’re able to turn math on a spreadsheet into lines on a drawing and ultimately into materials as part of a building.”

Having received meaningful mentorship early in his journey, Guzman pays it forward through the ACE Mentor Program, guiding students toward careers in construction and design.

 

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Melanie Jefferies
Opens doors for others
35, Chief Operating Officer, Engineering Services
Milhouse Engineering & Construction
Chicago

As chief operating officer of Milhouse Engineering and Construction, and co-founder of Milhouse Development, Melanie Jefferies oversees more than 300 professionals generating $40 million in annual revenue. Her journey to the C-suite wasn’t easy. Rising through a competitive, male-dominated industry required discipline, vision and the courage to challenge norms. Over 12 years, Jefferies reshaped Milhouse’s internal systems, enhanced accountability and drove operational excellence, improving profitability and delivery performance across several markets.

Her leadership extends far beyond business growth. Jefferies helped position Milhouse as a leader in sustainable, equitable development through projects like 548 Capital’s $50-million Passive House in West Humboldt Park. As a 2025 Chicago Prize finalist, she is leading a program designed to support large-scale, community-led neighborhood development projects on Chicago’s South and West sides. She is heading a multimillion-dollar coalition to revitalize these areas through inclusive redevelopment and workforce innovation.

“The best advice I can give to folks just starting out in the industry is to learn the business side early,” she says. “It’s important to understand the steps behind a project, not just how they’re built. At some point in your career, you’ll transition from focusing on the technical work to leading people and shaping strategy. The earlier you start developing that broader perspective, the better prepared you’ll be for leadership.”

Jefferies serves on the boards of Milhouse Charities and Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, mentors women through WTS International and advises the city of Chicago on development reform.

 

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Justin Mitten
Motivated to make things better
38, Vice President - Yard Operations
Findorff
Madison, Wis.

The question of how to make things better has guided Justin Mitten throughout his career, taking him from laborer to vice president of yard operations. And it continues to motivate him today.

At 18, Mitten worked as a laborer during his summer breaks from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He joined Findorff as a project engineer after graduation and was promoted to project manager three years later, overseeing corporate campus projects, where he recognized the potential of prefabrication to streamline construction and improve quality. Rather than simply noting the opportunity, he took the initiative by launching Findorff’s first prefab shop in 2016. Under his leadership, the shop has supported more than 50 projects, expanding capabilities and efficiencies across the company.

In 2020, Mitten took on leadership of the Findorff Yard, resulting in a 25% growth in the equipment fleet and a revenue increase to $26.5 million from $17 million despite the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. His focus on collaboration and safety has reduced field injuries by 7%, demonstrating that operational growth and worker well-being can advance together. Mitten oversees 28 people on a day-to-day basis. “I want to empower those around me to make decisions and feel confident in them,” he says.

 

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Alex Motl
Leads with technical expertise and innovative thinking
39, Practice Team Leader – Traffic
GRAEF
Milwaukee

Alex Motl is an accomplished transportation engineer whose work blends technical expertise, innovative thinking and a commitment to community-centered solutions. With more than a decade of civil engineering experience—including more than five years specializing in traffic operations and planning—she has led complex, data-driven projects that enhance safety, mobility and sustainability across southeastern Wisconsin. At GRAEF, Motl guides multidisciplinary teams on high-profile initiatives, including the Brady Street Pedestrian Safety Study in Milwaukee and the North Avenue Corridor Improvements in Wauwatosa, Wis.

Motl has advanced the use of traffic microsimulation, capacity analysis and multimodal planning tools, improving project workflows and elevating firmwide standards. She has successfully navigated challenging stakeholder environments and complex urban infrastructure needs, demonstrating a solutions-oriented approach that fosters trust and promotes collaboration.

Motl coaches Future City Competition teams, volunteers with STEM Forward and judges student design contests, inspiring young people—especially girls—to pursue careers in engineering.

Her career advice is to “find mentors and develop a reputation for being open to change and saying yes to new opportunities.”

 

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Temple Overman
Stands out in emergency bridge replacement
37, Project Manager
HNTB Corp.
Kansas City, Mo.

Introduced to engineering through high school summer camps, Temple Overman earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in civil engineering from the University of Kansas. She joined HNTB in 2012 as a bridge engineer and quickly distinguished herself through her technical skill and leadership. Within five years, she volunteered to serve as resident engineer on the 2,711-ft BNSF approach bridge to the Mississippi River in Memphis, relocating for two years to oversee daily accelerated bridge construction (ABC) activities. This project earned a merit award from the American Institute of Steel Construction.

“Every day we make choices that shape our future,” she says. “Doing the hard work early—taking on challenges, focusing on quality, learning new skills and pushing ourselves—prepares us for the bigger obstacles and opportunities later in our careers. The effort you put in today sets the foundation for tomorrow’s success.”

Overman has led emergency bridge replacements, providing quick and effective solutions in critical situations, including at a BNSF Bellevue, Neb., washed-out bridge, completing the project in under a month, and the Wind River Bridge in Washington, a complex truss relocation project. These high-pressure projects required decisive leadership and coordination with multidisciplinary teams.

At HNTB, Overman chairs the ABC program, developing client standards and training teams in best practices, improving firmwide processes and reducing community disruptions. She mentors colleagues, promotes STEM education and volunteers with local nonprofits like Hope Builders, supporting accessibility projects.

 

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Jake Panter
Advancing sustainable infrastructure
36, Sr. Project Manager in Asset Management
Kimley-Horn
Chicago

Jake Panter’s path into civil engineering started at age 16, when he operated heavy machinery at a landfill and later installed sanitary and water lines, giving him practical insight into how designs are implemented in the field.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Georgia Tech in 2012, Panter joined Kimley-Horn, where he quickly became a leader in sustainable pavement design and low-carbon material solutions.

Panter has led major projects for national clients, developing specifications for sustainable asphalt and concrete, supporting electric vehicle infrastructure and speaking at industry conferences on cost-effective CO₂ reduction strategies. His work has helped the company expand sustainability initiatives, increase project requests and elevate technical standards.

While managing fluctuating material costs and complex client demands, Panter uses innovation and collaboration to deliver projects on time and on budget, earning recognition as Kimley-Horn’s Outstanding Project Manager in 2019 and Outstanding Professional in 2020.

Panter supports Cara Chicago, helping individuals experiencing poverty develop skills, find employment and gain work experience through the Cleanslate program. He also mentors young professionals, organizes sustainability focused events and serves on the Kimley-Horn Foundation board.

 

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Tim Prince
Spearheads safety in stadium construction
32, Director of Safety, Health & Environment, Central Region
AECOM Hunt
Indianapolis

After Tim Prince decided in seventh grade that he wanted to build stadiums, his career path was set. He earned a degree in construction management with a minor in safety management from Indiana State University and landed an internship with Hunt Construction Group (now AECOM Hunt), where his passion for safety and sports construction took root.

Early in his career, Prince had a fear of public speaking. Eager to grow, he boosted his confidence through communication training, technical study and mentorship. Through persistence, he also helped shift AECOM Hunt’s safety culture from reactive to proactive through leadership buy-in at every stage of construction.

Prince rose from safety intern to regional director overseeing more than 30 states—earning multiple certifications, developing safety templates and spearheading helmet and fleet safety initiatives.

Now serving as the director of safety for the central region, Prince has taken on the role of safety director for the new Tennessee Titans stadium—a dream project for the Nashville native and lifelong fan.

“When I started working for Hunt Construction Group, I put Titans logos on my first hardhat, hoping to one day build a new Titans stadium,” he says. A hope that has now become a reality.

 

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Caitlin Russell
Drives the company to achieve new levels of success
39, President
Russell
Davenport, Iowa

Caitlin Russell’s entry into construction began with curiosity about how major projects come together—an interest that evolved into a passion for leading teams that build communities. Starting as a project engineer at Russell, she quickly distinguished herself through her strategic thinking and leadership. Transitioning into real estate development, she grew the division into a major contributor of company growth, complementing Russell’s construction operations.

Now president of Russell, she has led the company to new successes, acquiring firms in Kansas City and Springfield. The firm has been recognized as an ENR Top 400 Contractor (now ranked 277). In 2022, she introduced companywide systems to strengthen oversight and risk management—transforming setbacks into lasting improvements. She has also championed AI integration across departments, improving efficiency and decision-making, and she promotes lifelong learning through leadership programs and peer networks.

“Stepping into the role of president of a company my father founded was both an honor and a challenge,” she says. “I have had to earn credibility not just through title, but through consistent decision-making, clarity and performance.”

 

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Vladimir Abou Sejaan
Rising star in pavement engineering
32, Group Manager
Terraco
Indianapolis

Vladimir Sejaan has rapidly emerged as a leader in pavement engineering and team development, rising from staff engineer to group manager at Terracon’s Indianapolis office since joining the firm in 2020. His entry into the construction industry began with a deep academic foundation. He has two master’s degrees in civil engineering—focused on pavement and structural engineering—and an MBA that strengthened his business and financial decision-making. His early research at the Western Regional Superpave Center, where he explored sustainable pavement technologies, helped shape his technical direction and passion for innovation.

Sejaan has managed more than 230 projects totaling more than $9.5 million in contracts at Terracon. His 2024 results alone—approximately $2.3 million billed with a 9.5% write-up—underscore his impact on project success and company growth. Yet his rise has not come without challenges. Balancing 59 active projects, leading a growing team and expanding Terracon’s pavement services into new markets required disciplined time management and systemized processes that he built to stay ahead.

“Stay curious and be willing to stretch beyond your comfort zone. The engineering field is constantly evolving, and those who embrace learning, whether it’s new design software, emerging practices or leadership development, will thrive,” Sejaan says.

Sejaan serves as president of Terracon’s pavement practice resource group, is vice president of the ASCE Young Member Group and secretary of the ACEC Indiana K–12 education committee, helping advance technical collaboration, professional development and STEM outreach for future engineers.

 

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Jason Sevener
Building a business with grit and determination
39, Owner
7er Construction
Omaha

Guided by entrepreneurial drive, Jason Sevener founded 7er Construction in 2022. Equipped with a construction management degree from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and early experience on large, complex health care projects, he stepped into business ownership with a clear goal: build a company centered on strong teams and technical excellence.

In just three years, Sevener has grown 7er Construction from a one-person start-up into a 14-person firm with more than 250 completed projects. Today, the company manages more than $10 million in active facility work and is on track to reach $11–13 million in revenue in 2025. Many of these projects support schools, health care providers and businesses throughout the Omaha area, underscoring his commitment to building spaces that directly benefit communities.

Starting a company brought its share of challenges—from developing efficient operational systems to standardizing communication—but Sevener met them by prioritizing accountability, transparency and mentorship. He strengthened safety practices, improved start-up and close-out procedures and cultivated a culture rooted in service and trust.

“One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my career is overcoming the misconception that being young means being inexperienced,” he says. “Over time, I’ve learned to demonstrate— through my actions, decisions and relationships with clients, owners and trade partners—that my years in this industry have shaped me into a well-rounded professional.”

 

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Sarah Simpson
Drives innovation in the transmission and distribution industry
36, Transmission & Distribution EPC Technical Manager
Burns & McDonnell
Bloomington, Minn.

Sarah Simpson has built an accomplished career over more than 13 years at Burns & McDonnell, rising to EPC technical manager in the transmission and distribution group. She has led engineering for nine solar generation-tie transmission lines, managed a $40-million EPC project, overseen major transmission line rating portfolios and advanced critical construction quality and project execution processes used across the company. Her work has included developing knowledge-capture tools, facilitating corrective action reviews, launching technical training series and organizing large-scale development programs that strengthen EPC execution companywide.

Simpson earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, followed by an MBA that expanded her strategic and leadership skills. Early experience developing compliance procedures for more than 150 transmission lines connected her passion for infrastructure to the practical realities of regulatory, budget and construction constraints—setting the trajectory for her technical focus.

As her responsibilities grew, Simpson faced challenges in bridging engineering and construction needs, standardizing communication and supporting teams across offices. She met these through structured processes, improved quality protocols and mentorship that empowers emerging engineers.

Simpson recommends building and maintaining a strong technical foundation. “No matter what role you move into, a deep understanding of the technical side of your industry will always serve you well and help you make better, more informed decisions,” she says.

Simpson serves on the Minnesota Power Systems Conference planning committee, leads the Women’s International Utility Professionals chapter, volunteers for STEM programs at The Works Museum and has been a longtime Bike MS team captain.

 

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Griffin Smith
Promoting community safety through transportation engineering
39, Project Manager
Garver
Overland Park, Kan.

Griffin Smith’s passion for transportation began early as an asphalt plant inspector for the Missouri Dept. of Transportation (MoDOT), where ensuring high-quality pavements for travelers sparked his commitment to public service. That foundation led to a career built on continuous learning, innovation and a belief that infrastructure directly affects community well-being.

Smith is helping to shape the future of transportation across the Midwest. His achievements span major regional initiatives, including managing high-profile environmental assessments in downtown Kansas City, installing electric vehicle charging stations across Kansas and supporting the state’s first progressive design-build project for the Kansas Dept. of Transportation (KDOT). He also serves as deputy project manager for Forward 44, a 100-mile MoDOT study that will guide long-term improvements along a critical east–west corridor. With experience in transportation planning, traffic operations, pavement engineering and cutting-edge technologies such as NEVI-funded EV infrastructure and continuously operating reference stations, Smith has become a trusted leader in delivering modern, resilient transportation systems.

Smith mentors through the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS)—an organization focused on the advancement of women within the transportation industry—coaches youth volleyball for a local school and has spent five years serving more than 60 children in his church’s ministry.

 

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Tony Stahlschmidt
Revived a struggling masonry business
37, Vice President and Market Leader
Kienlen Constructors Inc.
St. Louis

Tony Stahlschmidt began his construction career as an intern with Alberici Constructors while pursuing a construction management degree at Missouri State University, graduating summa cum laude. That early hands-on experience sparked his passion for building and public service, setting the stage for a career defined by results.

Joining Alberici in 2009, Stahlschmidt earned recognition as Rookie of the Year and advanced from project engineer to project manager, ultimately leading key self-perform and masonry divisions. The firm purchased Leonard Masonry in 2020 and under his leadership, revenue grew from $6 million in 2019 to $23 million in 2024, with notable projects including Citypark St. Louis and the Olin Library expansion at Washington University. A struggling masonry business was revitalized through collaborative lean construction methods, hands-on learning and by cultivating a culture of safety and pride, reducing EMR to 0.51 from 1.18.

Stahlschmidt serves on Missouri State University’s construction management advisory board, supports youth workforce development through Build My Future STL, mentors emerging leaders in AGC-Missouri and volunteers with his church and local schools.

 

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Jacob ‘Jake’ Weiss
Guides major decisions on transportation projects
35, Senior Transportation Engineer/Transportation Planner
HDR
Omaha

Jacob “Jake” Weiss pairs technical depth with a collaborative, problem-solving mindset to solve transportation challenges. He got into the construction and engineering field early, working as a construction-inspection intern while studying civil engineering at Iowa State University. Those hands-on experiences—seeing how projects are built, where constraints emerge and where solutions can take shape—formed his approach when he joined HDR’s Nebraska/Iowa traffic and transportation planning group in 2013.

Early on, Weiss led complex analytical work, including serving as lead traffic engineer for the Metro Area Travel Improvement Study in Omaha. By mastering traffic analysis, modeling and concept development, he delivered work that continues to guide major decisions for the Nebraska Dept. of Transportation. As projects grew in scale and complexity, he expanded his expertise, helping build the firm’s microsimulation practice and taking on national and federal assignments.

Now deputy practice group leader for HDR’s multimodal corridor planning team, Weiss supports projects that integrate needs for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and transit users. He is also known for mentoring colleagues and giving back through Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) chapters, safety education programs, active-living committees and community volunteer work.

“Understanding project constraints can be pivotal,” he says. “When data isn’t readily available, an unknown vault, sewer or building footing may throw the entire design off. Finding ways to work around this without ballooning costs is a major challenge that many urban centers will have to deal with in the coming years.”

 

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Nicholas ‘Nick’ Viviano
Guides large federal sector projects
35, Project Manager
Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp.
Overland Park, Kan.

Nicholas “Nick” Viviano blends hard-earned construction know-how with the high-level leadership required to tackle large federal infrastructure programs. He entered the construction industry through Black & Veatch’s EDGE early-career development program, which is structured to provide experience rotations through training, service and support. Over six years, he held roles as a mechanical field engineer, mechanical superintendent, cost analyst, subcontract administrator and lead project coordinator. This diverse foundation gave him a deep understanding of construction execution, labor management, contract administration and multidiscipline coordination that he used on large-scale gas turbine combined cycle and air quality control projects.

Today, as a senior project manager in the federal business unit, Viviano leads multimillion-dollar and multibillion-dollar programs for the U.S. Air Force and Army ammunition plant sectors. His achievements include guiding the design of a leading-edge weapons generation facility for the B-21 bomber and delivering energy-resilience solutions such as the 10-MW CHP plant at Whiteman Air Force Base. His ability to interpret requirements, optimize performance and coordinate diverse stakeholders has made him a leader in high-security environments. He mentors more than 50 early-career professionals through the EDGE program and supports SAME, ASME and Toastmasters.

 

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Aaron Walsh
Oversees automotive industry projects
38, Vice President and Market Leader
Alberici Constructors Inc.
Southfield, Mich.

Detroit native Aaron Walsh’s deep understanding of the automotive industry has propelled him into a position of influence in a sector critical to North America’s economy. In 2018, at age 30, he was named director of operations for Alberici’s $80-million automotive business unit. By 2022, he became market leader, assuming responsibility for the unit’s profit and loss. Under his leadership, the unit grew its average annual revenue from $80 million in 2019 to $450 million in 2024. Walsh is responsible for every facet of project delivery: safety, schedule, cost control, quality and talent development. In 2021, he spearheaded a pursuit that resulted in Alberici’s first GM contract in Ontario in more than 15 years. In 2022, he led the winning proposal for the largest contract in Alberici’s history—the 4.5-million-sq-ft Stellantis/LG electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Windsor, Ontario, a project he subsequently managed.

Walsh holds a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning and a master’s in construction management from Michigan State University as well as an executive MBA from the University of Michigan. He remains an engaged member of Michigan State’s industry advisory board.

Walsh’s achievements include authoring a guide on constructing the North American EV supply chain.

He mentors young professionals, leads recruiting efforts and is a Cub Scout leader.

 

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Jane Wilberding
Dedicated to inclusive urban mobility
35, Senior Mobility Manager and Project Manager
HNTB Corp.
Chicago

Drawing on more than a decade of experience in transportation planning, mobility strategy and equitable infrastructure development, Jane Wilberding is rethinking how cities move. She is fueled by a passion for connecting land use, transportation and community needs—work grounded in the urban studies and planning degrees she earned and sharpened through early roles focused on parking policy, mobility innovation and community-centered planning. At HNTB, Wilberding rose from planner 4 to project manager by tackling complex challenges, from modernizing curbside management to guiding agencies through the fast-evolving landscape of electric vehicle infrastructure. Her ability to translate community concerns into implementable, systems-level solutions has made her a valued adviser to clients nationwide.

Among her most significant achievements is her leadership on expanding Chicago’s Divvy bike share into historically underserved neighborhoods, a project now seen as a national model for equitable micromobility. She also co-founded the Parking Reform Network, shaping policy reforms in dozens of cities and multiple states.

She leads mentorship initiatives through WTS, an international organization dedicated to shaping the future of transportation for the public good through the global advancement of women. Her work exemplifies the future of urban mobility—one that is inclusive, resilient and deeply connected to the people it serves.

 

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Shannon Zlab
Trailblazing architect delivers complex projects
33, Senior Associate, Architect Level III
Hoefer Welker
Kansas City, Mo.

With over 40 completed projects totaling more than 3 million sq ft under her belt, Shannon Zlab’s portfolio as an architect reflects a commitment to excellence and knack for delivering complex projects on time and within budget. Zlab leads diverse projects across civic, health care and commercial sectors, showcasing her ability to combine creativity with technical precision. Her leadership on the North Little Rock Justice Center, which received a 2022 Gold Award from Officer Magazine for its design, exemplifies her talent for elevating community-focused architecture. Zlab has progressed in her career to the point where she now concentrates on civic projects. She enjoys leading construction administration efforts on her jobs, which requires her to be the face for both owner and contractor while a building is under construction. The work is demanding but allows her to see that the project is accurately realized as it was designed and documented. Seeing a project through to the end is a rewarding aspect of her job.

Zlab is an active force in the AIA Kansas City chapter. While co-chairing the Young Architects Forum for two years, she revitalized the program with 14 events designed to foster learning and networking, such as site tours and post-exam discussions to support licensure candidates. Engaging events—like the YAF Builds series—bridge the gap between design professionals and the building trades by using hands-on learning. Zlab advises others “to be a sponge. Soak up as much information and good habits as you can. There is always a lesson to be learned from your current circumstance, big or small.”

 

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