Women Celebrating Women

How did you come to Kimley-Horn and what drew you to your practice?
The start of my career has been a bit unconventional compared to most who work at Kimley-Horn. In college, I studied Engineering Management with a minor in Mining Engineering. In the summer of 2019, right before my junior year, I was looking for work experience and reached out to a family friend, Ray Montoya, for advice. Although my major didn’t offer a clear path to a specific practice, Ray told me about Kimley-Horn and explained the overlap between mining engineering and water/wastewater. Intrigued, I accepted an internship, started on the water/wastewater team in the Tucson office, and found the work interesting, challenging, and extremely important. 

I enjoyed the work I was doing and the people at Kimley-Horn. I had attempted to return in-person for an internship in 2020, but due to the pandemic, I completed my internship with Kimley-Horn online. Despite the change, I appreciated the firm’s effort to make the experience valuable. By the end of my virtual internship, there wasn’t space for another full-time hire in Tucson, so they offered me a position on the water/wastewater team in the Phoenix office. I started in summer 2021 and have been here ever since.  

I believe that the people you work with can greatly impact your overall experience in the workplace, and I feel extremely fortunate to work alongside the Phoenix water/wastewater team. Our team is tight knit! We organize events such as happy hours and birthday celebrations to boost morale and foster a positive team culture. It makes me appreciate my teammates even more! 

Share about your experience as an analyst at Kimley-Horn—what excites you? What are some challenges you face? What advice would you share with your peers?
Starting as an analyst straight out of college was a big shift for me. Luckily, my internships prepared me well and allowed me to learn quickly. I learned a lot more working at Kimley-Horn than I ever did in the classroom!

As someone who doesn’t have a background in civil engineering, I often suffer from imposter syndrome, especially as a young analyst. When I started, I worried my skills and knowledge weren’t up to par with my colleagues, and I feared falling behind. However, I continue to overcome these feelings by putting in extra effort to understand the “why” behind what we do. I’m also incredibly grateful to have Tyler Kay as my supervisor—he is always willing to sit down, teach me a new skill, and answer all my questions (no matter how trivial they may seem).  

One aspect I really appreciate about working at Kimley-Horn is the abundance of learning opportunities available. Although it can be challenging at times, I always feel encouraged to try new things and expand my skill set. During my first week, my project manager suggested that every YP join a professional organization. I took their advice and joined the AZ Water Association, which turned out to be a great decision. I became the organization’s Young Professional Committee treasurer and have had the chance to connect with some amazing people across the industry.

What are some of your proudest achievements?
One experience I’m particularly proud of is the privilege of representing Arizona in Washington D.C., where I lobbied for the water/wastewater industry. My primary goal was to educate congressional members on the importance of water infrastructure, funding, and conservation, especially in desert regions. It was a truly special experience, and what made it even more amazing was the support of my team. They allowed me to pursue a passion, even though it was separate from my day-to-day duties as an analyst.  

Not only did I get to represent Kimley-Horn on a national stage, but I also had the opportunity to interact with industry leaders from all over the country. When I returned for the second year, I was happy to find that people remembered me and Kimley-Horn. It was a special moment, and it made me realize the role I play in bringing value to the firm.  

Another experience I’m proud of is when my team and I prepared for a high-profile client meeting. During the meeting, my role was to listen, take notes, and absorb the information; however, when my project manager needed help answering a question about a specific aspect of the project that I had worked on, I was able to provide additional information and fill in the gaps. My project manager then encouraged me to continue answering questions from the client. By the end of the meeting, the client was very appreciative of my contributions and hugged me! This really solidified my belief that my work and voice matter. 

Lastly, I had the opportunity to supervise an intern last summer, and it was a great experience to witness his growth. At the start of his internship, he needed guidance on technical questions and professionalism. I invested a significant amount of time to ensure he received adequate training and support. By the end of the summer, he was running meetings like a pro! I was proud to see him succeed.

What do you like to do outside of work? 
I recently got married, so wedding planning was all-consuming, but usually I like to spend my free time with friends, explore new restaurants, or go skiing. Surprisingly, Arizona has a few mountains where we can ski, weather permitting.  

My favorite hobby is watching Formula One. I watch almost every race and keep up with all the drivers. I find the engineering aspect fascinating—one tiny issue, and the whole car can be destroyed in seconds! My husband and I also enjoy watching the drama and the politics between drivers. We’re even planning to go to Montreal next year to see a race!