Back to articles

Engineers Week 2024: Welcome to the Future

News

It’s Engineers Week in the United States, and this year’s theme is Welcome to the Future. At Toole Design, our civil engineers and traffic engineers are at the forefront of shaping a safer and more inclusive transportation future. Every day, they leverage their experience and expertise to develop people-centered designs, apply the latest research and guidance, and find creative solutions to communities’ most pressing transportation challenges. 

To celebrate Engineer’s Week, we asked some of our amazing engineers to share why they do what they do and what they envision for the future of engineering. The five staff members below — from different regions and at different stages of their careers — represent the passion and dedication shared by our entire engineering team. Read on and be inspired!

Michelle Danila Headshot

Michelle Danila, PE, PTOE
Director of Engineering Operations
Boston, MA

Quote from Michelle Danila. Many people want or need to bike but the existing infrastructure often doesn't feel safe, even for experience riders. That's why I've devoted my career to designing transportation networks that serve all modes.
Headshot of Brendetta Hargro Walker

Brendetta Walker, PE
Director of Engineering,
Southern U.S.
Atlanta, GA

Quote from Brendetta Walker. As an engineer, I get to help create safe and sustainable infrastructure that enables communities to grow and develop. I like to think that the projects I design will be in use for the next 100 years.
Katy Sawyer Headshot

Katy Sawyer, PE
Principal Engineer
Pittsburgh, PA

Quote from Katy Sawyer. Once my eyes were opened to how highways have devastated urban communities, displacing residents, reducing air quality, and subsidizing sprawl, I vowed to use my engineering skills for good. Now I work on projects that reduce reliance on car-centric infrastructure.

Jakob Ward, PE
Project Engineer
Seattle, WA

Quote from Jakob Ward. My hope for the future of engineering is that more people will be able to unlock their creative problem-solving potential and get involved in solving the engineering problems that affect their own lives.
Headshot for Sofia Duran

Sofia Pollmann, PE
Project Engineer
Oakland, CA

Quote from Sofia Pollmann. I love hearing everyone’s ideas on what a space should look like and then finding that perfect balance between what is allowed, what is constructable, and what will get the community out there to enjoy it.
See All Articles Next Article

Recent Insights