The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) is pleased to recognize fifteen talented professionals who recently completed the Society’s Emerging Leaders Program. This diverse group of young professionals was selected from around the country to take part in an intensive, unique enterprise designed to equip them as leaders in the engineering field.

“Being a part of the Emerging Leaders Program has shown me that I can make the adjustments to be a better leader and engineer,” said Courtney Cunningham, P.E. of Houston, Texas.  “I want to help young engineers realize the importance of having a license and how it can affect the limits of their careers even when they have years of experience. I see how I can lead the change by sharing my experience with others.”

Each member of the program completed a PXT Select™ assessment to discern their thinking style, key behavioral traits, and interests. Participants benefited from guided instruction and mentoring to complete a reality-based curriculum focused on the core skills necessary to think strategically, build effective teams, deliver great service for their most valued clients, and lead successfully. With leadership training provided by Cross Group, the emerging leaders mastered topics including ownership, team development, communication skills, giving and receiving feedback, and presentation skills. They also enjoyed networking opportunities with peers and national NSPE leaders.

“I want to be a person responsible for making decisions within a company that are going to have a positive impact on that company’s future, and with that sort of responsibility, I will need to be a true definition of a leader,” said Blane Gee of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. “I enjoy making decisions, but I know with that kind of role I need to continue growing my leadership abilities. This program served as an excellent opportunity and resource for me to continue working towards that professional goal.”

The intensive, virtual program began in December 2022 with orientations for mentors and participants, and the syllabus ran from January through May 2023. Two distinct final assignments rounded out the curriculum where participants developed their personal 100-day plans focusing on one distinct area of growth they would address after completing the program, and a personal action plan to support and strengthen the engineering profession over the next two to three years. All who completed the program will now become part of an alumni group of fellow emerging leaders.

“It was my honor to be in attendance as each of these great leaders shared their final project which included their personal action plan to support and strengthen the engineering profession,” said NSPE President Britt Smith, P.E., F.NSPE. “After the presentations I had no doubt that these participants represent some of the best in the profession of engineering and will be a driving force in helping NSPE continue to lead professional engineers in service to society.”

The 2023 NSPE Emerging Leaders include the following (in alphabetical order):

Nicholas J. Bailey, P.E. (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Frank Block III, Ph.D., P.E. (Silver Spring, Maryland)
Timothy Choma, P.E. (Iselin, New Jersey)
Courtney Cunningham, P.E. (Houston, Texas)
Steven T. Fox, P.E. (Nashville, Tennessee)
Blane Gee, P.E. (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Holly Hartley Guillaume, P.E. (Katy, Texas)
Lingbee Chyna Lim, P.E. (Charleston, South Carolina)
Brianne R. Jole, P.E. (Lubbock, Texas)
Corey Kingsland, P.E. (Kansas City, Missouri)
Carter Lytal, P.E. (Lubbock, Texas)
Rebecca Martinez, P.E. (Cherry Hill, New Jersey)
Alissa Neuhausen, P.E. (Rockville, Maryland)
Victor Odili, P.E. (Conroe, Texas)
Skylar Wierzbicki, P.E. (Grapevine, Texas)

CrossGroup’s Mark Cook and R. Kyle Womack, P.E., F.NSPE, facilitated the program, while the following professional engineers served as mentors:

Zohaib Ali Alvi, P.E.
Amy Barrett, P.E., F.NSPE
Thomas Jay Headley, III, P.E.
Leanne H. Panduren, P.E., F. NSPE
Blair Richardson, P.E., CEM
Craig Stuart Sisco, P.E., F.NSPE
Danielle Yoon, P.E.

“Being vulnerable isn't a weakness and I've learned through this program that it is a valuable tool to have as a leader,” added Cunningham. “Mark, Kyle, my mentor Leanne, NSPE staff, and all of my classmates have been amazing on this journey of becoming a better leader in this engineering community. I am forever thankful for the experience, and now the ability to give back.”