Women Celebrating Women

What drew you to/how did you get involved in the practice that you’re in? 
While I was in college, I gave up bartending to take an internship at Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) on a whim. I was always partial to hydraulics and anything relating to water, and I knew I needed to get serious about my career, so GRU was the perfect opportunity. I fell in love with water and wastewater engineering—it gives me a way to integrate in the community by designing sustainable infrastructure and implementing change that better protects the environment and those who live in it.  I interviewed with Wayne White and Lewis Bryant almost 10 years ago, and I chose to come to Kimley-Horn to have an opportunity to work with them. Over the years, we’ve become like family, and I know without a doubt I made the right decision.  

What are some projects you’ve worked on? 
I’ve worked on everything from a Walmart to a Wastewater Treatment Plant Retrofit with Membrane Bioreactors. My primary practice is water and wastewater, and most of my clients are public municipalities and private utilities. I keep my practice really diverse and it’s helped grow my sphere of influence within Kimley-Horn and throughout the industry. I’m currently working on multiple “outside the fence” projects (pipelines and pump stations), wastewater treatment plant projects (a few in Florida, South/North Carolina, and Arizona), chlorine dioxide pilots, a comprehensive plan and LDC update, and a facilities design for a coastal community (the City of Treasure Island) including the fire station, police station, public works center, marina, and park.  

What do you like to do outside of work? Do you have any fun facts? 
Like most, I love spending time with friends, family, and my dogs. Gardening and paddle boarding are two of my favorite things to do on the weekend. My favorite hobby is traveling! I’m trying to see all 63 National Parks in the United States by the age of 36—so far I’ve been to 21! The National Parks help me reset by connecting to nature and going off the grid for a bit. Hiking, camping, and backpacking are three of my favorite ways to see the parks. They’re stunning and remind me how vast the world is.  

What advice do you have for other women in the firm?

1. Always be beyond reproach.

    

2. Cultivate leadership by allowing others to follow their own path—not the one you’ve envisioned for them.

    

3. Take all the feedback and criticism you can get, even when it’s unsolicited. Consider the source and only apply the changes that make you the best version of yourself. Let the rest roll off and be kind to yourself. When something directly conflicts with your personal core values, stand up for what you believe in. If I listened to every person who told me my opinion doesn’t matter or wasn’t valid, I wouldn’t be where I am today. That being said, learning how to communicate your opinion in a way people can understand and rally around is key—and is something I’m always working to improve.

    

4. Be self-aware; know when you’re projecting, when you’re reactive or defensive because of an insecurity, and when to ask for help.

    

5. Build a bench of mentors, coaches, and advocates, including people who challenge you. You need a sounding board and people in your corner. Also remember that at the end of the day, you’re responsible for your career and the decisions you choose to make. Take accountability.  

Do you have a motto, phrase, or activity that keeps you motivated? 

Live passionately for a life that leaves no regrets. – My grandfather 

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. – Henry David Thoreau 

I work to make a difference, but also to be able to live the life I’ve imagined for myself. Traveling, exploring the world, and meeting new people help me recharge when I’m starting to burn out. Sometimes I need to be reinspired, and I’m always surprised where that inspiration is hiding.