For Jaser Attallah, P.E., leadership isn’t about a title—he sees leadership as a mindset and responsibility that starts with self-awareness and continues through action. Jaser is applying that understanding, fueled in part by NSPE’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), in his role as electrical engineer at Annapolis, Maryland-based CMTA, Inc., where he primarily works on data centers. After finding his love for engineering in high school, Jaser pursued a degree in electrical engineering at the University of Maryland, graduating in 2021, and earning his PE license in 2024. His role at CMTA gets him involved with a variety of people who share his same passion for success and love of inspiring others to do their best—one of his favorite parts of the job.

Jaser’s commitment to supporting others is part of the driving force behind his participation in the ELP as well as his plans for the future. The plans include not only deepening his technical expertise but also advancing to leadership levels that will allow him to contribute to stronger mentorship pipelines in his firm. He describes ethical responsibility as non-negotiable, a commitment to never cutting corners, and sees public safety as not just a legal requirement, but a moral obligation. 
 

Sangeeta Bhattacharjee, P.E., serves as a project engineer and project manager in geotechnical engineering at Terracon Consultants' Wichita, Kansas office. She finds great satisfaction in seeing the foundations she has helped design become lasting structures—whether it’s a local coffee shop, a water tower, or a large commercial building. Among her most memorable projects is a massive infrastructure initiative that included 28 bridges, 27 mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls, numerous culverts, roadways, sign structures, embankments, and towers.

Sangeeta's passion for engineering began in childhood, inspired by the engineers she saw on television—whom she thought of as smart and cool. That early admiration evolved into a lifelong commitment to the profession. She earned her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Military Institute of Science and Technology, affiliated with the Bangladesh University of Professionals, in 2014. She went on to complete a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2018 and achieved her professional engineering (PE) license in Kansas in 2024.

Sangeeta is actively involved in the engineering community, currently serving as the membership chair for the Wichita Chapter of the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers (KSPE). In recognition of her contributions, she was honored with the KSPE Young Engineer of the Year award in 2025. Her engagement with professional societies fuels her passion for servant leadership. She credits the NSPE Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) with equipping her with practical leadership tools that she applies daily—both in her work at Terracon and in her role within the Wichita Chapter.
 

Brandon Briegel, P.E., CESCP, is grateful for the variety of experiences he’s had as an electrical engineer—from working with vast health care systems, to witnessing 19th century gear still in commission, to his current position as power systems engineer for Buist, a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based electrical contracting, technology, and engineering firm. Besides satisfying his abiding interest in engineering, Brandon says, the experiences constantly remind him of the importance of continuous learning, and how much there is still to know.

A 2013 electrical engineering graduate of Michigan State University, Brandon has pursued his love of learning through not only his work at Buist, but through involvement in the Western Michigan Chapter of the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, where he served as president.

As his responsibilities have evolved, so has Brandon’s understanding of the importance of mentoring and team building, particularly across disciplines. He describes NSPE’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) as an experience that has helped him refine his communication skills, particularly when managing different communication styles and dealing with difficult conversations. Brandon plans to continue to learn from his cohorts and grow his abilities as a leader and mentee while stressing the importance of making ethical, competent work a priority at all times.

As a child, Brian Elkins, Jr.’s aunt, Beth Herbert, P.E., told him he had the power to “use math to help people.” Brian never forgot that advice and now helps small towns throughout Colorado solve challenging water and sewer problems as a senior project engineer at RESPEC, in Colorado Springs.

Brian earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Louisiana Tech University in 2018 and followed that up with a master’s degree in civil engineering from Colorado State University in 2020. Since then, he’s earned licenses in Colorado and Louisiana. Prior to joining RESPEC, Brian worked as an engineer in Kajjansi, Uganda, where he designed water and wastewater systems for rural communities.

In addition to his commitment to helping others, Brian embraces a vision of engineering that’s rooted in ethics and accountability, stating that without an understanding of ethical behavior and firm grasp of public safety, an engineer has nothing. He says NSPE’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) helped reinforce those beliefs and understanding of how they play into effective leadership, emotional intelligence, and better communication. He plans to continue his pursuit of improving the lives of others through unique projects including biofiltration for water treatment and renewable natural gas, and by contributing to a thriving office culture and becoming more involved in local public planning and development.

Tyler Giffear, P.E., civil engineer/project manager with Becker Morgan Group, Inc. can’t remember a time when he wasn’t interested in figuring out how things work. That lifelong passion has shaped his career path and now serves as a catalyst for looking to the future—both for his own growth and the growth of professional engineering.

Tyler earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of Delaware in 2018 and joined BMG soon after. He values the ways BMG has encouraged him to mentor and teach younger engineers. He is also grateful for the variety of projects he’s been able to participate in, including his current favorite project—a redesign of his high school alma mater’s athletic facilities and exterior spaces. He earned his PE license in 2022.

Tyler’s introduction to NSPE’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) came in 2024 during an Engineers Week banquet. He was immediately intrigued, and followed up by applying to participate in the program, which he credits with giving him tools to be a more effective, well-rounded leader and team builder. According to Tyler, the techniques and insights he gained in the program will help him advance his career, expand his mentorship abilities, and enrich his participation in student outreach programs. He also hopes to employ his enhanced skills by way of greater involvement in the Delaware Engineering Society.

As the design manager at GreenSpark Solar in Rochester, New York, Kristin Jacobs, P.E., finds herself exactly where she wants to be—serving as a leader supporting her team and helping them fulfill their potential and as a PE applying her expertise to a key technology in pursuit of sustainability. She is also an engaged member of a rapidly growing company who’s eager to take on bigger roles.

Jacobs’ love for engineering, and environmental engineering in particular, began with a high school trip to Thailand where she helped install solar panels at migrant schools. The experience helped to show her the potential for engineering to make a positive, real-world impact on people’s lives, and launched her on a trajectory that included earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Michigan in 2013, and the achievement of her PE license in 2021.

Kristin’s drive to make a positive difference in the lives of others, including her coworkers, led her to NSPE’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP). The program has honed her abilities to support team members from alternative technical backgrounds and serve as a mentor to help new GreenSpark engineers thrive. Those refined abilities are supported by the network of fellow ELP participants who continue to stay in touch, she adds. As she continues to grow her career, Kristin is dedicated to upholding the ethical obligations of the PE and to ensuring that public safety remains the top priority at all times.

With his father being an engineer, Andrew Jamrogiewicz, P.E., had an inkling of what an engineering career could look like. But it wasn’t until middle school that his interest was truly ignited, sending him on a path focused on geotechnical engineering, which he now puts to use as the engineering department manager at ACS Services, in Mesa, Arizona.

Andrew earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, graduating in 2002. He became licensed in Arizona in 2017, and since that time, he has been involved in multiple projects for ACS, including completing the geotechnical investigation for a new air traffic control tower at a major Arizona airport.

Because ACS is a small-sized firm, Andrew quickly found himself involved in making decisions that affected the overall operations of the company and was soon placed in the role of department leader. He credits NSPE’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) with helping him to unlock skills that will be of immediate use and benefit, both to his team and himself personally. Andrew believes that his geotechnical engineering perspective is a perfect example of why upholding ethical practice is critical, as the expertise he provides often affects the literal foundations of construction projects and public safety.

Parker Pattillo, P.E., sees a very direct line between his job and the larger concepts of ethical practice, viewing everything he does as having the potential to impact public safety. That commitment to ethical conduct has helped him grow in his position as a professional engineer and project manager at Baird, Hampton & Brown, a full-service engineering firm.

Parker graduated from Baylor University with a degree in computer and electrical engineering in 2019 and earned his license in 2023. He has enjoyed participating in a wide range of projects for BHB, including his current favorite—work on the new Uvalde Elementary School, set to open in fall 2025.

As an active member of the Bexar Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Parker has come to understand the importance of professional development, and why that development should include expanding leadership and communications skills. He says that NSPE’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) afforded him the opportunity to learn more about how to connect with teams and give and receive feedback. He looks forward to increasing community involvement and participation in legislative advocacy efforts at the state level.

Nancy Peay, P.E., likes to be prepared to take on new responsibilities and has been able to exercise that commitment in her role as project manager at Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Smith Engineering. The company has afforded her the opportunity to serve in multiple roles and be involved in nearly every aspect of a project, from funding acquisition to final walkthroughs.

Nancy earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of New Mexico and gained licensure in 2021. She’s active in NSPE and the New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers (NMSPE), spending the past two years as state society secretary. Nancy credits her involvement in NSPE and the NMSPE to building her appreciation for the multifaceted nature of the engineering community, from education, to advocacy, to industry trends, and more.

Nancy believes that despite how much knowledge the public may or may not have about what a civil engineer does, everyone directly experiences the results of civil engineering, which makes transparency, integrity, and honesty paramount. And the range of duties she’s had with Smith Engineering has informed her understanding of what it means to be a PE and has also underscored the importance of solid leadership skills acquired as early as possible and honed overtime.  She cites NSPE’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) as an on-target experience that bolstered her leadership toolbox, expanded her professional network, and positioned her to begin thinking about what lies ahead—possibly including a greater role in policymaking and advocacy.

Phillip Reid, E.I.T., is a mechanical engineer at HEAPY’s Dayton, Ohio office, where he leads complex projects across commercial, government, K-12, and higher education sectors. His responsibilities include managing mechanical design, equipment selection, and construction administration while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to create spaces that better serve communities.  At HEAPY, Phillip was involved in a 1.5 million square foot office renovation project during which he advanced from an entry-level engineer to the lead mechanical engineer.

Phillip, a Purdue University graduate, is passionate about advancing STEM education and developing the next generation of engineers. He currently serves on the steering committee for the TechFest Dayton Foundation and is actively involved with the NSBE - Dayton Professionals, among other organizations.  

Phillip’s love for engineering was nurtured by his parents and community programs including the Minority Engineering Program of Indianapolis. Consequently, he’s a strong believer in mentorship and sees NSPE’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) as an experience that helped him hone his own mentoring skills, allowing him to make an even greater impact in his community, both professional and personal. His goals include sitting for the PE exam and continuing to focus on being a culturally responsible engineer, who will not only make an impact within the industry but also within his community and the world.

Alex Steelman’s introduction to engineering came early on, when she would routinely visit job sites with her mother, a structural engineer. That up close contact with the profession shaped her belief that the best engineers combine a dedication to public safety with technical acumen—and more than a few helpings of creativity.

Alex is a 2019 graduate of the University of Alabama (UA) with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and received a master’s degree in civil engineering from UA in 2022. She became licensed in Florida in 2023 and holds additional licenses in Alabama and Tennessee. As a civil engineer at Pensacola, Florida-based Rebol-Battle & Associates, a firm that offers civil engineering and surveying services for both commercial and residential projects, Alex has applied her creativity to a variety of projects. She most enjoys working with churches and other entities that have tight budget constraints.

Alex feels fortunate to have benefitted from multiple mentors during her early career and understands how crucial it is to give back by helping younger engineers. She says participating in NSPE’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) has helped her feel more confident about her ability to lead and has connected her with a network of leadership peers that she’ll be communicating with for years to come. She hopes that her leadership will help other civil engineers to better understand that ethics must be at the forefront of every aspect of practice.

As a civil engineer with Tetra Tech, based in Lexington, Kentucky, Abby Terry, P.E., is living out her engineering dream of working at the intersection of people and the environment. Her role as a project manager and environmental engineer includes providing consulting services to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s Division of Water Quality, where she helps the city stay in compliance with its stormwater quality management program (coincidentally enough, it’s the program with which she began her engineering career as an intern).

Abby is a 2019 graduate of the University of Kentucky engineering program and earned her PE license in Kentucky in 2023. Since that time, she’s become licensed in six other states and increased her involvement in the Bluegrass Chapter of the Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers, where she served as secretary and is now president-elect.

Abby lives by the passage from the Obligation of an Engineer that states, “When needed, my skill and knowledge shall be given without reservation for the public good,” which she says captures the heart of her professional mission. She feels that unreservedly contributing to the public good includes providing effective leadership. She points to NSPE’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) as having an important impact on her ability to appreciate a broad range of perspectives and increase her confidence within the engineering community. Among Abby’s future goals— launching a mentorship program that connects seasoned professionals with early-career engineers.