International Women in Engineering Day

June 23rd is International Women in Engineering Day, and we want to highlight the achievements of our women engineers. This year’s theme, #EnhancedByEngineering, focuses on the vital role of women engineers in improving lives and driving progress.

We are featuring team members who have significantly contributed to the AEC industry and our firm over the past year. Whether through awards, promotions to leadership positions, or other impactful work, these individuals are making a difference and shaping the future of our field.

 Join us in acknowledging the valuable contributions of our talented women engineers as we celebrate their achievements across disciplines and offices.

Nila Abubakar, PE , Managing Director

Nila is a Principal and the Managing Director of Diagnostics in the Atlanta office, specializing in analysis, design, construction, and forensic investigations.

Her expertise spans multiple sectors including commercial, industrial, residential, transportation, and water management. Nila ensures quality control on construction sites and enforces compliance with safety standards. She conducts slip resistance testing, provides code consulting for ADA compliance, and evaluates drainage systems for project sites.

Through her work, Nila plays a crucial role in enhancing safety and functionality in various engineering projects.

📚 Reading Rec: Blue Ocean Strategy

"I found it incredibly insightful. It offers a practical framework for analyzing market opportunities and identifying new growth paths. It's helped shape my approach to strategic thinking."

Rebekah Campbell, P.E., CFM , Team Director

Rebekah, a Team Director for Water Resources, specializes in hydrologic and hydraulic analyses.

Recently promoted to Principal, Rebekah has expertise in designing detention basins, channel rehabilitation, and storm sewer improvements. She has led FEMA and NRCS grant projects and utilizes tools like HEC-RAS and ArcGIS.

A recipient of the Stormwater Solutions’ Young Engineer of the Year Award, she is committed to protecting communities from stormwater and flood-related events and actively supports STEM education through her involvement with Mathcounts.

Ashpica Chhabra , Managing Director

Ashpica, the Managing Director of the Structural Engineering team in the New York office, specializes in developing innovative structural concepts and delivering integrated solutions.

She leads high-rise, long-span, and specialty structure projects, collaborating with architects, consultants, and contractors. A registered professional engineer in California and New York, and a structural engineer in Illinois, she has led the design of numerous award-winning projects domestically and internationally.

Her focus on innovative design and effective collaboration ensures successful outcomes across various market sectors.

Annie K. Lo, AIA, REWC, LEED AP , Managing Director

Annie, recently promoted to Senior Principal, is the Managing Director of the Diagnostics Group in San Francisco. She is a licensed architect in seven states with extensive experience in forensic architecture, specializing in building enclosures and waterproofing systems.

Her expertise includes the design and investigation of waterproofing systems, exterior walls, and historic preservation.

She is the past President of the Western Chapter Association for Preservation Technology and, serves on the boards of the International Concrete Repair Institute and the Rainscreen Association in North America.

Jessalyn Nelson, P.E. , Project Manager

Jessalyn, honored by Healthcare Design as a Rising Star, is a Senior Associate and Project Manager at Walter P Moore's Houston office.

With experience in diverse projects including higher education buildings, aquariums, and hospitals, she leads some of the firm's most complex endeavors such as the Collaborative Research Building in the Texas Medical Center and the Houston Zoo Galápagos Islands exhibit.

Her work has been featured in industry publications like Modern Steel Construction and has earned awards from ENR and AIA Houston. Jessalyn's creative design on the San Jacinto College Engineering and Technology Building won an AIA Houston Award for "Divine Detail."

📕 Currently Reading: The Measure

"It's a thought-provoking read that made me reflect on the brevity of life and the ways we justify compartmentalizing people. Its powerful narrative challenges us to reconsider our values and the impact of our judgments."

Kelly Roberts , Managing Director

Kelly is a Principal and the Managing Director of the Atlanta Structures group at Walter P Moore. She leads the firm’s Sustainable Design Community of Practice, specializing in Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment and sustainable materials.

With structural design experience across educational, hospitality, healthcare, and high-rise office projects, Kelly is a recognized leader in sustainable engineering.

 She serves on various boards and committees, including the USGBC and AIA, and is the founding chair of the NCSEA Sustainability Committee. Kelly has been honored as a Building Design + Construction 40 Under 40 winner and multi-time honoree on Engineering Georgia’s 100 Most Influential Women list.

📽 Film Recommendation: Beyond Zero

"It's an inspiring story about how one man changed the hearts and minds of his entire company and then transformed an entire industry. This documentary is a reminder that large-scale transformational change doesn’t come easy but is worth it in the end."

Melissa Shea, P.E. , Senior Project Manager

Melissa is a Principal and Senior Project Manager in Walter P Moore’s Structures Group and serves as the Operations Manager for the Washington, D.C. office. She leads teams in engineering custom solutions using innovative virtual design tools, ensuring seamless project delivery.

As healthcare lead in Washington DC, Melissa managed the award-winning VCU Children’s Hospital Wonder Tower and the VCU Health Adult Outpatient Pavilion projects.

Recently chosen as an ENR MidAtlantic Top Young Professional, she is also co-chair of the firm’s DEI Council, focusing on enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the AEC industry through strategic recruitment and retention initiatives.

💡 Leadership Tip: 99% of my time goes to this one skill

"Her humanistic approach to management resonates strongly with me. I was motivated to keep working with our team to focus on building interpersonal connections. When people feel connected and know they have the trust of their team, it boosts their creativity leading to better quality and productivity."