W@L Summit-AGENDA and BIOS 2025

9:15 Am - 10:00 am

panel discussion #1

7:30 am - 8:30 AM

REGISTRATION & NETWORKING

8:30 am - 8:45 AM

INTRODUCTION

8:45 am - 9:15 am

KEynote speaker

Donna Orender Former President of the WNBA Founder & CEO, Orender Unlimited & Generation W.

EVENT AGENDA

Cristina M. Gonzalez Senior Principal Langan

Women's Inspirations through the Generations and the Importance of Passing it Forward (breaking generational behaviors)

Moderator

Candace Chin Fatt Senior Project Manager Langan

Sara Barli Herald Partner Bilzin Sumberg

Donna Orender

Donna Orender learned early on that the games played on the courts and in the fields were vital learning and proving grounds for life’s opportunities. Recognized as a leader of growth and innovation in several high-profile companies, her ability to pivot as a former professional basketball athlete has served her well. Her passionate pursuit of working on behalf of women and girls is the result of her journey as a professional athlete, a corporate executive, a leader of an iconic women’s business—the WNBA, a board member, and the founder of Generation W. She was recognized as one of the top 10 Most Powerful Women in Sports, named one of Newsweek`s 100 most influential people in sports, and is a best-selling author with her 2018 release of WOWsdom! The Girl’s Guide to the Positive and the Possible. In 2011, Donna launched Generation W (www.genwnow.com), a dynamic platform of education, inspiration, and connection for women and girls, with the goal of building community. It has changed the trajectory of thousands of individuals who have become part of this inclusive and energetic community. Leveraging intergenerational connectivity and mentorship, Generation W and Generation WOW have positively impacted skills and opportunities while broadening perspectives on women’s equality and equity. Donna served six years as the President of the WNBA, during which time she solidified its base and led double-digit growth in all key business metrics. Prior to the WNBA, Donna spent 17 years at the PGA TOUR serving in the Office of the Commissioner. She developed a global and domestic media business leading global production, programming, distribution, and digital businesses for the TOUR. As the CEO of Orender Unlimited, she works with companies on strategic and growth initiatives. She currently serves on the board of the SPAC Goal Acquisition Corporation as well as on the privately held World Surf League Board and Cre8tor, an Israeli-based health and wellness manufacturing company. Her community board work includes the V Foundation for Cancer Research, UJA Sports for Youth Initiative, Jacksonville Public Education Fund, Jacksonville Chamber Executive Committee, and Maccabi USA, and she is a founding member of the board of Women in America. She has also been a Global Ambassador for Vital Voices, a Hall of Fame collegiate and professional athlete, and a recipient of the March of Dimes Sports Leadership Award. She enjoys speaking on leadership, change, and gender equity. She is a mom of twin sons and two stepchildren.

Founder & CEO, Orender Unlimited & Generation W. Former President, The Women's National Basketball Association

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Pilar Illueca Director VVA Project & Cost Managers - Miami Office

Burnadette Norris-Weeks Partner Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell, PLLC

Emily Roque Staff Engineer Langan

Moderator

Anamaris Torres-Sanchez Senior Project Manager Langan

Coralee Penabad Principal Urban-X Group

Iana Kolev Managing Director PALMA

Lenny Rodriguez Principal Langan

9:15 Am - 10:00 am

panel discussion #2

I've Got Your Back - The Importance of Sponsorship

Moderator

Sarah Amritt Senior Project Manager Langan

Margarita (Margie) Martinez-Miguez Executive Vice President & General Counsel Scout Cold Logistics

Bryan Merritt Senior Survey Project Manager Langan

Tia Jessee Vice President - Development EDEN Multifamily

Jenni Morejon President & CEO Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority

9:15 Am - 10:00 am

panel discussion #3

How to Navigate through Difficult Conversations

Click on each individual below to learn more

Click here to donate additional funds to Lotus House

Sara Barli Herald

Partner Bilzin Sumberg

Sara Barli Herald is a Partner at Bilzin Sumberg, where her in-depth experience spans public-private partnerships (P3), affordable housing and tax credit, real estate, banking, commercial transactions, mergers & acquisitions, and corporate reorganizations. Her background as a C-level executive in seven verticals enables her to assist her clients in crafting creative solutions to complex business transactions, particularly those that involve the public sector. Over the past two decades Sara has been committed to optimizing companies and advancing communities with vision and leadership – working across the for-profit, non-profit, and public sectors. Sara has significant experience in leading non-profit organizations as a CEO, Board Member, and consulting strategic partner. Sara has been the recipient of many awards, among them, the American Red Cross Sara Hopkins Spectrum Award for Community Service and the Athena Award for Outstanding Business Woman. She is a native Miamian, Spanish speaker, and the mother of five children. Sara earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami and her Bachelor of Arts (Phi Beta Kappa) from the University of Florida.

Pilar Illueca

Director VVA Project & Cost Managers - Miami Office

Pilar is a director at VVA Project and Cost Managers. With over decade of experience as a Project Management Executive, Pilar has extensive experience managing ground up and interior projects in-house and as a third party for a diverse set of clients ranging from small businesses to large corporations. Her experience managing large teams and numerous projects simultaneously comes with a wealth of local knowledge of the Design and Construction industry in Florida spanning many sectors such as Higher Education, Technology, Law, Financial, Retail, Life Science & Residential. Pilar attended Barry University and hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Communications.

Burnadette Norris-Weeks

Partner Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell, PLLC

Burnadette Norris-Weeks is a partner in the law firm of Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell, PLLC. She serves as counsel to various governmental entities, including cities in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. Additionally, her law firm handles serious personal injury, corporate and real property matters. Burnadette is the Chair-Elect of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. She serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Broward and the Community Foundation of Broward. She is a graduate of Leadership Florida and of Leadership Broward. Burnadette is founder of the Women of Color Empowerment Institute, Inc. (WOCEI), a membership organization with the mission to enhance and expand leadership opportunities by women of color. WOCEI spearheads a yearly conference that brings together hundreds of women in leadership from across the country. Burnadette also serves as a member of the Federal Judicial Nominating Conference for the Southern District of Florida. Burnadette’s extensive community and professional involvement has earned her the Above and Beyond Award from the American Bar Association’s Section of Litigation; the Urban League’s Margaret Roach Humanitarian Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the T.J. Reddick Bar Association. She is a past honoree of the National Trumpet Awards Foundation and was recognized by Legacy Magazine as one of South Florida’s 25 Most Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business. Burnadette has received a “Leader of the Year” award from the Leadership Broward Foundation, among other impressive awards and recognitions. Burnadette is admitted to practice law before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. She is married to Aaron Weeks and lives in Fort Lauderdale.

Emily Roque

Staff Engineer Langan

Emily Roque started as an intern at Langan two years ago in the environmental discipline. Upon her graduation from Case Western Reserve University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Emily stayed at Langan to begin her career. Emily’s focus is performing environmental site assessments, site monitoring, and remediation oversight. Emily excels in English and writing and has developed work plans for groundwater sampling and drilling, as well as health and safety plans for remediation projects.

Anamaris Torres-Sanchez

Senior Project Manager Langan

Anamaris is a professional engineer with more than eleven years of civil engineering experience. She specializes in site engineering, hydraulics and hydrology, storm water management, water distribution systems, and sanitary sewerage conveyance design. Her experience includes site/civil design for residential, commercial, and industrial projects; regulatory permitting; and construction observation and support. Anamaris has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico.

Coralee Penabad

Principal Urban-X Group

As a Principal at Urban-X, Coralee’s main focus is the oversight of all acquisitions, financing, marketing, and operations. She has more than 20 years of relevant experience and has played a leadership role in the acquisition, design, entitlements and finance of River Landing Shops & Residences. Prior to launching URBAN-X, in 2006, Ms. Penabad was general counsel to Leviev Boymelgreen Developers (LBD), an Israeli-based real estate partnership. She managed all legal matters associated with Florida operations, refinanced its entire Florida portfolio, managed all condominium sales, and all the partnership with Florida domestic legal matters. She guided LBD through its development of the Marquis Condominium and other Florida projects, its transition in management, restructuring and eventual buy-out/sale by its members. She was aslo lead attorney on transactions involving more than $750 million of real property for LBD. Ms. Penabad was awarded the Top Dealmaker, Real Estate Finance 2008 Award in South Florida by the Daily Business Review for her efforts in the refinancing and repositioning of LBD’s portfolio and was also recognized in the South Florida Business Journal’s “40 under 40” list of achievers. Ms. Penabad has a unique skill of identifying difficult issues and focuses on implementing simple solutions to turn around some of the most troubled real estate projects in Miami-Dade County including Paramount Bay, and 151 at Biscayne Condominium. Ms. Penabad has a bachelor’s degree in Business, Financing and has spearheaded the acquisition and development of River Landing Shops & Residences.

Iana Kolev

Managing Director PALMA

Throughout her career, Iana has been a part of and has led numerous projects across the globe in wide variety of functional markets. With a background in technical design and coordination, she aligns project concepts with technical solutions that are integral to the design process and elevate the quality of project delivery for the firm. As the Managing Director of PALMA, Iana serves as the firm’s liaison with clients and consultants, while working directly with the project teams on a day-to-day basis and overseeing the timely and comprehensive completion of the firm’s services. Born in Bulgaria, Iana moved to the United States after receiving her Master Degree in Architecture in Germany. A mother of two girls, Iana is passionate about mentoring young architects and promoting the value of great design at any scale.

Lenny Rodriguez

Principal Langan

Lenny has more than 30 years of site/civil engineering experience. He is the south Florida site/civil team practice Principal/Vice President and co-manages Business Operations for the Miami office. Mr. Rodriguez’s experience includes public and private sector projects ranging from municipal utility improvements, roadway resurfacing and reconstruction as well as area wide drainage improvements. He has spearheaded the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) and Corp of Engineer Dredge and Fill permitting efforts on numerous projects and is intimately familiar with the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (MDWASD) standards and specifications as well as the permit process. His extensive experience includes working with regulatory agencies such as Miami-Dade County Department of Planning, Environmental and Regulatory Affairs (PERA), South Florida Water Management District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Lenny received his Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Florida International University and his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Miami.

Margarita (Margie) Martinez-Miguez

Executive Vice President & General Counsel Scout Cold Logistics

Margie is the EVP and General Counsel at Scout Cold Logistics where she oversees all legal affairs including the structuring of all contracts related to investments, development/construction, and leasing as well as all legal matters related to capital formation and governance. Prior to this role, Margie served as EVP and General Counsel for Flagler Global Logistics, the largest industrial developer in Florida and a subsidiary of Florida East Coast Industries (FECI). In that capacity, she oversaw all legal affairs with a scope of responsibility materially similar to her current role at Scout Cold Logistics. Margie’s professional experience has also included serving as VP and Assistant General Counsel of FECI, where her involvement spanned across FECI and its subsidiary real estate, transportation, logistics and infrastructure businesses where she led a wide variety of legal matters including development and entitlement, financing, permitting and partnership issues related to project development. Prior to her role at FECI, Margie worked with the FECI family of companies since 1993 as outside counsel as a partner at the firm now known as Squire Patton Boggs, LLP. Her noteworthy career in the industry has afforded her the opportunity to work on a diverse range of construction projects from billion-dollar production facilities to world-class travel destinations, many of which involved multi-national parties. In addition, she has helped to structure and develop public-private projects, such as performance centers and baseball stadiums. She earned her Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, from the University of Miami.

Bryan Merritt

Senior Survey Project Manager Langan

Bryan Merritt is a Professional Land Surveyor licensed in FL and NY and FAA Part 107 Certified Pilot and serves as the Manager for Langan’s Geospatial/Survey Group overseeing Florida, Mexico and Caribbean markets. He has more than forty years of experience in the Geospatial Industry. His experience includes management and direct technical experience in performing complex geospatial related projects and providing solutions to complex situations. He is versed in all facets of surveying and geomatics technologies which includes UAV/UAS systems; terrestrial and mobile lidar systems; 3D modeling and BIM (Scan to BIM); GIS data collection; building documentation and all forms of conventional survey technologies. Bryan has been published in many trade journals and has presented sessions on geospatial survey technology to many organizations. He is member of the Geomatics Engineering Program Advisory Council for Florida Atlantic University and is one of the founders of the United States Institute of Building Documentation (USIBD) which is a non-profit organization dedicated to actively promote, guide and support the building documentation industry.

Tina Jessee

Vice President - Development EDEN Multifamily

Tia is the Vice President – Development at EDEN Multifamily. She has more than 25 years of residential real estate development experience and has directly managed the development of over 3,000 units throughout South Florida. Previously, she worked with Wood Partners as a Development Manager in the South Florida office where she oversaw all aspects of ground-up development for numerous institutional quality and market-rate multifamily projects. She has also managed the development of luxury condominiums and multiple condo conversions throughout the South Florida market. Tia attended University of Florida and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and International Business from Florida International University. She is an active member of ULI and currently serves on the ULI Florida Product Council’s Multi-Family Development Council. She lives in Lighthouse Point with her husband and three children.

Jenni Morejon

President & CEO Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority

Jenni is the President & CEO of the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority (DDA), a public-private partnership that powers the experience, growth, and prosperity of Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Prior to joining the DDA, Jenni had a 16-year career with the City of Fort Lauderdale and served as the director of the development services department where she led city planning, economic development, housing programs, code compliance, and building permits. Jenni serves on the national Public-Private Partnerships product council for the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the advisory board for the ULI’s Southeast Florida/Caribbean District Council. She has served on the board of directors of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce since 2015 and is the chair of the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Coalition. Jenni is a graduate of Women Leading Broward Class 3, Leadership Fort Lauderdale Class 20, and Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class 40.

Click here to purchase Donna’s book WOWsdom!

Donna Orender Former President of the WNBA Founder & CEO, Orender Unlimited & Generation W.

11:00 Am - 11:50 am

panel discussion #3

Caroline Fitzgerald is a leading expert on the business of women’s sports and gender equity in sports. In 2020, she founded GOALS, a women’s sports media platform, and launched The Business Case for Women’s Sports podcast, which is sponsored by Ally and was named 2024’s Best Women’s Sports Podcast by Hashtag Sports. Caroline also works as a consultant, advising brands, properties, and organizations on marketing, media, and growth strategies in women’s sports. She was named a 2024 Power Player in Women’s Sports by Sports Business Journal and is a regular contributing writer for Forbes, TOGETHXR, SBJ, and Parity. Before GOALS, Caroline spent over a decade in marketing and sponsorship sales with Kohl’s, the Heinz History Center, and P3R & the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. She holds a B.S. in Marketing and B.A. in Women's Studies from The Schreyer Honors College at Penn State, and an M.S. in Global Sport from NYU. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA and has done work locally in women's sports with the Pittsburgh Passion, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Pittsburgh Riveters.

Barbie, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and the Inevitable Prosperity of Women’s Sports

Talk Title

Cheri B. Bomar is a seasoned leader with over two decades of expertise in real estate development, corporate counsel, and business management. She has a proven track record of delivering results across diverse industries, including residential, industrial, and mixed-use developments. As Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Hardy World, LLC, Cheri has spearheaded initiatives to create a private real estate development company and family office, overseeing real estate transactions, entitlements, construction, compliance, leasing, and strategic exit strategies.Previously, Cheri served in key roles at 84 Lumber Company and Nemacolin Woodlands, Inc., where she provided legal and strategic leadership on land use, construction, contract law, and corporate matters. Notably, she led the acquisition and development of over 200 land sites, managed over a half of billion in real estate dispositions, and successfully secured significant economic development incentives such as HUD 108 financing, TIF programs and LERTA tax abatements. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Cheri's commitment to operational excellence is reflected in her expertise in team building, financial management, and risk reduction. Her collaborative approach has led to favorable outcomes in high-stakes negotiations, including property disputes, credit facilities, and sale-leaseback transactions.Cheri holds a Juris Doctor cum laude from Duquesne University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, cum laude, from Washington & Jefferson College. She is a licensed attorney and real estate broker in Pennsylvania and actively contributes to the industry through her membership in NAIOP and various mentorship programs.Cheri’s dedication to strategic growth, coupled with her deep understanding of real estate, finance, and legal frameworks, makes her a trusted advisor and key partner for investors and lenders seeking innovative and value-driven solutions.

LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Excellence, Empowerment, and Engagement:Honoring Our Legacy and Inspiring Our Future

4:15 Pm - 5:00 pm

panel discussion #3

5:00 Pm - 5:15 pm

closing and presentation of donation

Donna Orender

Founder & CEO, Orender Unlimited & Generation W. Former President, The Women's National Basketball Association

event agenda

VIEW EVENT AGENDA

Inspired & Empowered

WOMEN@LANGAN

LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

10TH ANNIVERSARY

Pérez Art Museum Miami

LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Excellence, Empowerment, and Engagement:Honoring Our Legacy and Inspiring Our Future

1:30 pm - 2:00 pM

REGISTRATION & NETWORKING

2:00 pm - 2:30 pM

keynote speECH

Caroline Fitzgerald Women's Sports ConsultantFounder of GOALS and host of award winning podcast,The Business Case For Women’s Sports

Learn More About Caroline and her upcoming talk

Barbie, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and the Inevitable Prosperity of Women’s Sports

4:00 pm - 4:15 pM

break

5:00 pm - 5:15 pM

closing and presentation of donation

5:15 pm - 7:00pM

happy hour and networking

Food and drink with industry friends

2:30 pm - 3:15 pm

panel discussion #1

PANELISTS

Mentorship in Action:Moving from Performative to Transformative Mentorship

Cheri Bomar Executive VP & General Counsel Hardy World

Amy Coles Partner & Co-Chair, Pittsburgh Office Blank Rome

Lynn DeLorenzo Director, Land Advisory Services Fourth River Development LLC

Stephen Shanley Director Allegheny CountyDepartment of Public Works

3:15 pm - 4:00 pm

panel discussion #2

Reimagining Leadership in the AI Era: Balancing Innovation and Workforce Empowerment

Susan Penfield Board MemberLanganFormer CTO of Booz Allen

Jamie Barr Principal Langan

Burcu Akinci Department Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering Carnegie Mellon University

4:15 pm - 5:00 pm

panel discussion #3

Sandra (Sandy) Cernick President & CEOPressure Chemical

Katherine Knickelbein Senior Counsel FedEx

Antonio Marinucci Program Lead, Global Strategic Programs - Front End Planning Google

Adrienne Miles Construction and Community Impact Manager UPMC

Confidence, Imposter Syndrome, and Self-Advocacy:Overcoming Self-doubt, Public Speaking, and Negotiation Tips

4:40 pm - 5:10pm

BREAKOUT SESSION

Resilience Without the Burnout:Sustainable Leadership Models for Those Who Lead — Featuring Tools, Boundary-Setting, and Rest Culture

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Caroline Fitzgerald

Women's Sports ConsultantFounder of GOALS and host of award winning podcast, The Business Case For Women’s Sports

The examples of Barbie, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have undeniably proven that when women consumers are prioritized, profits soar. And when it comes to an entertainment product, women’s sports are perfectly positioned to serve an historically underserved female audience. This talk will make "the business case for women's sports" and discuss how women's sports are at a tipping point and poised for incredible growth ahead.

Barbie, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and the Inevitable Prosperity of Women’s Sports

Talk Description:

Talk Title:

Click on each individual below to learn more

Cheri Bomar

Executive VP &General Counsel Hardy World

Cheri B. Bomar is a seasoned leader with over two decades of expertise in real estate development, corporate counsel, and business management. She has a proven track record of delivering results across diverse industries, including residential, industrial, and mixed-use developments. As Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Hardy World, LLC, Cheri has spearheaded initiatives to create a private real estate development company and family office, overseeing real estate transactions, entitlements, construction, compliance, leasing, and strategic exit strategies. Previously, Cheri served in key roles at 84 Lumber Company and Nemacolin Woodlands, Inc., where she provided legal and strategic leadership on land use, construction, contract law, and corporate matters. Notably, she led the acquisition and development of over 200 land sites, managed over a half of billion in real estate dispositions, and successfully secured significant economic development incentives such as HUD 108 financing, TIF programs and LERTA tax abatements. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Cheri's commitment to operational excellence is reflected in her expertise in team building, financial management, and risk reduction. Her collaborative approach has led to favorable outcomes in high-stakes negotiations, including property disputes, credit facilities, and sale-leaseback transactions. Cheri holds a Juris Doctor cum laude from Duquesne University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, cum laude, from Washington & Jefferson College. She is a licensed attorney and real estate broker in Pennsylvania and actively contributes to the industry through her membership in NAIOP and various mentorship programs. Cheri’s dedication to strategic growth, coupled with her deep understanding of real estate, finance, and legal frameworks, makes her a trusted advisor and key partner for investors and lenders seeking innovative and value-driven solutions.

Amy Coles

Partner & Co-Chair, Pittsburgh Office Blank Rome

Amy Joseph Coles is a litigator who concentrates her practice primarily in the energy and construction industries. Amy has handled a wide range of disputes for energy companies, construction owners, contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers; she has also represented banks, financial services providers, healthcare corporations, manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies in state and federal cases, as well as in arbitrations all over the United States and abroad. Amy has been named a “Pennsylvania Super Lawyer” every year since 2013 and as a “Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star” from 2007–2012. In 2015, she was recognized by The Legal Intelligencer as a “Lawyer on the Fast Track.” She is passionate about diversity and inclusion and was named one of Pennsylvania’s “Most Powerful and Influential Women” by the PA Diversity Council. Amy is active in the Allegheny County Bar Association and is past Chair of the Allegheny County Bar’s Construction Law division. She is also the Programming Chair for the National Association of Women Lawyers, and serves as the co-chair of Project Eviive, a non-profit organization that strives to bring clean water to underdeveloped communities around the world.

Lynn DeLorenzo

Director, Land Advisory ServicesFourth River Development LLC

With over three decades of experience, Lynn has been at the forefront of transformative projects that have reshaped Pittsburgh’s landscape. Her expertise in land acquisitions, strategic analysis, and repositioning of land has consistently delivered exceptional results. As a past president of NAIOP Pittsburgh and a 2022 inductee into its Hall of Fame, Lynn’s influence and dedication to the industry are well-recognized. Lynn is also involved in ULI (Urban Land Institute), is Vice Chair Emeritus of its Women’s Leadership Initiative; is an appointed member of the Moon Transportation Authority (MTA), and a board member of Mobilify, a transit organization devoted to improving transit and mobility in the region. Lynn joined Fourth River Development this past April as director of Land Advisory Services where she works with firms seeking to develop ground-up multifamily, senior living and student housing.

Stephen Shanley

Director Allegheny CountyDepartment of Public Works

Stephen started his career with the Allegheny County Department of Public Works in July 2001 as the Assistant Manager of Bridge Engineering. He was promoted to Manager of Bridge Engineering and subsequently to Deputy Director of the Engineering Division. Following a period as Interim Director, he was promoted to Director of Public Works in January 2015. Stephen has over thirty-five years of engineering experience that includes: project development, managing all aspects of funding and design services for bridge rehabilitation, replacement, maintenance, preservation, bridge inspection, along with waterline, sewer and building projects. He also has over eight years of field experience associated with bridge and construction inspection. Previous employers include: Trumbull Corporation – Resident Engineer and Lead Inspector on the Mon-Fayette Expressway, Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority – Project Manager, and the City of Pittsburgh – Project Manager & Bridge Inspector. Stephen obtained his BS from the Pennsylvania State University and is on the Executive committee for the International Bridge Conference, Executive Board and board member of ESWP, board member of ASHE and the Allegheny County Parks Foundation. Stephen also previously served as President of the Association for Bridge Construction & Design (ABCD) and Pennsylvanian Society of Professional Engineer (PSPE).

Burcu Akinci

Department Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering Carnegie Mellon University

Burcu Akinci is the head of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. She earned her B.S. in civil engineering (1991) from Middle East Technical University and her M.B.A. (1993) from Bilkent University at Ankara, Turkey. After that, she earned her M.S. (1995) and her Ph.D. (2000) in civil and environmental engineering with a specialization in construction engineering and management from Stanford University. Her research interests include development of approaches to model and reason about information-rich histories of facilities, to streamline construction and facility management processes. She specifically focuses on investigating utilization and integration of building information models with data capture and tracking technologies, such as 3D imaging, and embedded sensors and radio-frequency identification systems to capture semantically-rich as-built histories of construction projects and facility operations. Akinci has one patent, two patent applications, more than 60 referred journal publications, and 80 refereed conference publications.

Jamie Barr

Principal Langan

Jamie Barr, LEP, is a geological engineer with more than 20 years of diversified consulting experience throughout North America. He is a Licensed Environmental Professional (LEP) with project experience in over 20 states and three Canadian provinces. Barr also manages Langan’s environmental practices in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Well versed in numerous engineering disciplines, his main areas of focus include brownfield redevelopment, portfolio due diligence, site assessment/remediation, and developing rapid closure strategies. Barr has been hands-on with generative AI since the early days. A member of Langan’s AI Steering Committee, Barr works to evaluate applications and monitor the risks, advancements, and accuracy of large language models (LLMs). The Committee is focused on developing and implementing AI-enhanced environmental solution delivery, particularly for real estate development, transactional due diligence, risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and investigative and remedial activities.

Susan Penfield

Board MemberLanganFormer CTO of Booz Allen

Susan Penfield is a technology executive, board member, and strategist recognized for her leadership in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and consulting. Over a 30-year career at Booz Allen Hamilton, she rose to Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief Innovation Officer, leading billion-dollar businesses in Digital and Health while driving firm-wide innovation initiatives. As CTO, Susan led global technology teams, building partnerships with major technology firms and startups to accelerate AI, data, and cloud adoption across government and commercial clients. She pioneered Booz Allen’s transition from pure consultancy to a technology builder, embedding AI/ML,analytics, and human-centered design into mission solutions. Her leadership established Booz Allen as a trusted partner for innovation in defense, health, and civil markets. Susan’s P&L; leadership included running Booz Allen’s Digital business — a $1B growth engine delivering cloud migrations, enterprise data strategies, and AI-powered solutions — and the Health business, one of the firm’s fastest-growing sectors, where she advanced public health surveillance, clinical research, and digital patient engagement. She currently serves on the boards of SPARQ, a digital engineering consultancy, and LanganEngineering and Environmental Services, advising on AI adoption, digital strategy, and enterprise transformation. In the nonprofit sector, she contributes to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and has held senior roles at SEEDSPOT, NVTC, and the NIH Children’s Inn. Susan has received multiple industry honors, including WashingtonExec’s Top CTOs to Watch (2023, 2024), the WashingtonExec Lifetime Achievement Award (2020), and the Wash100 Award (four-time recipient). She was also recognized on ELLE Magazine’s Power List for Women in Tech. Holding a B.S. in Technology Management and a certificate from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Business, Susan is a lifelong learner and mentor. She is known for championing diversity in technology leadership, cultivating women in STEM, and aligning emerging technologies with boardroom prioritiesof growth, risk, and talent. Susan Penfield’s career reflects a rare blend of technology depth, consulting expertise, and business leadership. She continues to shape industries as a board member, advisor, and philanthropist, advancing the responsible adoption of AI and digital transformation.

Sandra (Sandy) Cernick

President & CEO Pressure Chemical

Sandra (Sandy) Cernick joined Pressure Chemical Company as President & CEO in September 2021. She brings over 35 years of professional experience, having held executive-level positions in both the U.S. and Europe, managing commercial strategy and business development across custom manufacturing and portfolio product businesses. Sandy has held executive leadership roles at TEVA Corporation, Callery LLC, Siegfried USA LLC, and Lanxess (formerly Bayer Corporation), with a focus on the API, specialty, and fine chemical sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Biology, as well as a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Environmental Science.

Katherine Knickelbein

Senior Counsel FedEx

Katherine Knickelbein is a Senior Counsel at Federal Express Corporation where she counsels the Surface Real Estate and Facility Project Engineering clients. Prior to joining FedEx, Katherine worked in private practice and for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. She holds a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism from Emerson College.

Antonio Marinucci

Program Lead, Global Strategic Programs -Front End Planning Google

Dr. Marinucci is the Program Lead, Global Strategic Programs - Front End Planning for Google’s data center projects, where he is responsible for developing & implementing strategies for derisking and delivering the early works faster and on budget. Dr. Marinucci is active in numerous professional organizations and their technical committees and is an instructor and researcher for the National Highway Institute. Dr. Marinucci is active in many professional organizations and their technical committees and maintains 15 P.E. licenses. He has co-authored more than 55 peer-reviewed technical publications and has delivered 75+ lectures at state/federal trainings, universities, and technical conferences across the globe.

Adrienne Miles

Construction and Community Impact ManagerUPMC

Adrienne is a highly accomplished manager at UPMC, where she leads initiatives within the Corporate Construction department. She collaborates with both internal teams and external stakeholders to create transformative opportunities that enhance the health and well-being of the community. With over 20 years of extensive experience in the healthcare sector, Adrienne is dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations. She is keenly aware of the critical need to dismantle barriers that affect diverse and underserved communities. She finds great fulfillment in connecting with the individuals she assists and witnessing their journeys toward success as they overcome significant challenges. Her unwavering commitment to empowering these populations has enabled her to implement inclusive policies and practices that support individuals and diverse businesses through strategic partnerships with UPMC. Adrienne manages the Small and Diverse Contractor, Community Engagement, and Workforce Engagement programs for the new UPMC Presbyterian Kamin Tower. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to provide cutting-edge patient rooms that allow world-renowned physicians and scientists to deliver nationally recognized care and pioneering treatments in specialized areas such as transplantation, heart and vascular care, and neurology. The program aims to cultivate workforce initiatives and create opportunities for small and local businesses to secure contracts for UPMC projects, which are essential for their growth and sustainability in an increasingly competitive landscape. Adrienne is a trained educator who partners with various educational institutions to provide early exposure to careers in critical fields such as trades, allied health services, architectural and engineering design, and more. Her commitment to education is evident in her efforts to inspire future generations to pursue opportunities in these essential sectors. She has been recognized by Globe Street as a 2025 Woman of Influence and named "Woman of the Year" in the Diversity Champion category by Commercial Real Estate News (CRE) & Property Resource. Adrienne embodies the principles of corporate social responsibility, including community engagement, excellent customer service, inclusion, ethics, transparency, sustainability, and volunteerism. Adrienne holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Master's degree in High-Performance Learning Health Science from Carlow University. Additionally, she actively participates on various boards and committees throughout the Pittsburgh region, contributing her expertise and leadership to drive positive change in her community.