Partner & Participant Pairings
Each Pathways Participant has been paired with a Pathways Partner. Pathways Partners are industry professionals who are invested in your success in the profession and are eager to share their experiences and connections with you.
Please reach out to your Partner before the summit to virtually meet each other and plan to meet during the summit. You and your Partner are not obligated to attend the same sessions or meet a requisite number of times. Our hope is that they will be a friendly face or a person to whom you can ask the “silly questions.”
Each Pathways Participant has been paired with a Pathways Partner. Pathways Partners are industry professionals who are invested in your success in the profession and are eager to share their experiences and connections with you.
Please reach out to your Partner before the summit to virtually meet each other and plan to meet during the summit. You and your Partner are not obligated to attend the same sessions or meet a requisite number of times. Our hope is that they will be a friendly face or a person to whom you can ask the “silly questions.”
“What do I do if I really want to attend two sessions at the same time?”
We recommend that you pick one as leaving mid-presentation may appear to be rude.
"Is it appropriate to wear flip-flops to the summit?"
While we love you embracing the vacation vibe, we recommend you opt for closed-toe shoes or more formal footwear for the summit & networking sessions. But definitely feel free to bust out those flip-flops for the activities!
We recommend that you pick one as leaving mid-presentation may appear to be rude.
"Is it appropriate to wear flip-flops to the summit?"
While we love you embracing the vacation vibe, we recommend you opt for closed-toe shoes or more formal footwear for the summit & networking sessions. But definitely feel free to bust out those flip-flops for the activities!
Meet this year's Pathways PartnersPartners play a crucial role in the experience of Pathways Participant and may wear many hats including being a resource, mentor, friend, etc. Partners have the ability to help shape the experience of the Pathways Cohort and have a great impact on what the participant gets out of the summit and cohort.
This relationship is not only beneficial for the Pathways participant, but also a great opportunity for Partners to join the conversation about engagement, retention, and equity in the structural engineering profession. The Pathways Program helps to further add different thoughts, opinions, and experiences, especially from the perspective of students and early career professionals. |
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Brianna Hartner, PE (She/Her/Hers)
Firm: KPFF Consulting Engineers Position: Structural Project Engineer From: Born & Raised in Kailua, HI // Currently in San Diego, CA Alma Mater: Cornell University (B.S.), UC San Diego (M.S.) Professional Interests: Sustainability, Performance Based Design, Post-Disaster Recovery Personal Interests: Hiking/Backpacking, Binge-watching Netflix, Travel, Coffee-shop enthusiast |
Brooke Tracy, PE (She/Her/Hers)
Firm: TKJ Structural Position: Structural Project Manager From: Grew up in Shasta Lake, CA // Currently live in San Diego, CA Alma Mater: Arizona State University (B.S.E.) Professional Interests: I currently work on 5-over-2 multi-family construction. I am most interested in net-zero building design and mass timber construction in the future. Personal Interests: I enjoy yoga, volleyball, golfing, tennis, and pickleball. I also paint and work with ceramics in my spare time. |
Chad Closs, PE, SE, LEED AP (He/Him/His)
Firm: Degenkolb Engineers Position: Structural Engineering Project Manager From: Grew up & currently live in San Diego, CA Alma Mater: UC San Diego (B.S., M.S.) Professional Interests: Seismic design of hospitals, laboratories, and critical structures. Personal Interests: Hanging out with my kids and family, especially at the San Diego Zoo! |
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Chelsea Darnelle, PE (She/Her/Hers)
Firm: ZFA Structural Engineers
Position: New and Existing Commercial and Residential Buildings
From: Born in Maui, HI // Grew up in Napa, CA // Currently in San Mateo, CA
Alma Mater: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Professional Interests: Seismic Retrofits, DEI, Connecting with fellow engineers and Hand Calcs!
Personal Interests: Traveling, Board Games, Scuba Diving & Spending time with my husband (we just got married in September 2023)!
Firm: ZFA Structural Engineers
Position: New and Existing Commercial and Residential Buildings
From: Born in Maui, HI // Grew up in Napa, CA // Currently in San Mateo, CA
Alma Mater: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Professional Interests: Seismic Retrofits, DEI, Connecting with fellow engineers and Hand Calcs!
Personal Interests: Traveling, Board Games, Scuba Diving & Spending time with my husband (we just got married in September 2023)!
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/published/partner-dan-fox.jpg?1697136909)
Dan Fox, PE, SE (He/Him/His)
Firm: MHP Structural Engineers
Position: Structural Project Manager
From: Grew up in Saratoga, CA // Now in Huntington Beach, CA
Alma Mater: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Professional Interests: Hospital, K-12, and Higher Ed Design (Retrofit and Ground-up), Mentoring
Personal Interests: Golf, Mountain biking, Coaching my kids' sports teams
Firm: MHP Structural Engineers
Position: Structural Project Manager
From: Grew up in Saratoga, CA // Now in Huntington Beach, CA
Alma Mater: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Professional Interests: Hospital, K-12, and Higher Ed Design (Retrofit and Ground-up), Mentoring
Personal Interests: Golf, Mountain biking, Coaching my kids' sports teams
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Gaetano Bologna, PE (He/Him/His)
Firm: Structural Technologies
Position: Sr. Business Dev. Manager
From: Grew up in Moreno Valley, CA // Currently in San Diego, CA
Alma Mater: UC San Diego
Professional Interests: Post-Disaster, Seismic Resilience
Personal Interests: Hiking/Mountaineering, Beach Volleyball, Reading
Firm: Structural Technologies
Position: Sr. Business Dev. Manager
From: Grew up in Moreno Valley, CA // Currently in San Diego, CA
Alma Mater: UC San Diego
Professional Interests: Post-Disaster, Seismic Resilience
Personal Interests: Hiking/Mountaineering, Beach Volleyball, Reading
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Harshda Prasad, PE, SE, LEED AP (She/Her/Hers)
Firm: LPA Design Studio
Position: Managing Director
From: Grew up in India // Live in San Diego, CA
Alma Mater: University of Texas at Austin
Professional Interests: Educational, Civic, Commercial, Seismic Retrofits
Personal Interests: Activities with kids, dance, organizing community events
Firm: LPA Design Studio
Position: Managing Director
From: Grew up in India // Live in San Diego, CA
Alma Mater: University of Texas at Austin
Professional Interests: Educational, Civic, Commercial, Seismic Retrofits
Personal Interests: Activities with kids, dance, organizing community events
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/editor/partner-james-gaitan-1.jpg?1688951034)
James Gaitan, PE (He/Him/His)
Firm: Arup
Position: Structural Project Engineer
From: I moved around the US a lot growing up, mostly SoCal and Cincinnati. I have lived in SF/Oakland for 6 years now
Alma Mater: The Ohio State University (B.S.), UC Berkeley (M.S.)
Professional Interests: Nonlinear analysis/Performance based design (seismic); Parametric design and automation (grasshopper); Resilience
Personal Interests: Music (I play in a couple of orchestras), Backpacking (both the hiking kind and travel kind), Exploring (new restaurants, parks, etc.)
Firm: Arup
Position: Structural Project Engineer
From: I moved around the US a lot growing up, mostly SoCal and Cincinnati. I have lived in SF/Oakland for 6 years now
Alma Mater: The Ohio State University (B.S.), UC Berkeley (M.S.)
Professional Interests: Nonlinear analysis/Performance based design (seismic); Parametric design and automation (grasshopper); Resilience
Personal Interests: Music (I play in a couple of orchestras), Backpacking (both the hiking kind and travel kind), Exploring (new restaurants, parks, etc.)
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/editor/jenika-mcclay.jpg?1688954986)
Jenika McClay (She/Her/Hers)
Firm: Forell Elsesser
Position: Structural Project Engineer
From: Born, raised, and live just outside of San Francisco
Alma Mater: San Francisco State University
Professional Interests: Sustainability, Base Isolation
Personal Interests: Baking/cooking, Gaming, Hiking with my dog
Firm: Forell Elsesser
Position: Structural Project Engineer
From: Born, raised, and live just outside of San Francisco
Alma Mater: San Francisco State University
Professional Interests: Sustainability, Base Isolation
Personal Interests: Baking/cooking, Gaming, Hiking with my dog
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/editor/partner-julianna-burke.jpg?1688954993)
Julianna Burke (She/Her/Hers)
Firm: DLR Group
Position: Structural Project Engineer
From: I've lived in Southern California just about my whole life, and currently living in Los Angeles
Alma Mater: UCLA & Imperial College London
Professional Interests: Passionate about Sustainability, School Design, Community Outreach, and Mentorship
Personal Interests: Love anything that gets me outdoors! Love Hiking, Rock Climbing, Backpacking, Camping, Paddle Boarding, and Traveling! I will be doing my bucket list trip to Iceland this Summer!
Firm: DLR Group
Position: Structural Project Engineer
From: I've lived in Southern California just about my whole life, and currently living in Los Angeles
Alma Mater: UCLA & Imperial College London
Professional Interests: Passionate about Sustainability, School Design, Community Outreach, and Mentorship
Personal Interests: Love anything that gets me outdoors! Love Hiking, Rock Climbing, Backpacking, Camping, Paddle Boarding, and Traveling! I will be doing my bucket list trip to Iceland this Summer!
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/editor/partner-kaat-ceder.jpg?1688955010)
Kaat Ceder, PE (She/Her/Hers)
Firm: WJE
Position: Forensic and Retrofit Engineer
From: Oakland, CA // Originally from Boston, MA
Alma Mater: UC Berkeley
Professional Interests: Seismic retrofit, Historic preservation, Failure investigation
Personal Interests: Cycling, Baking, and my cat, Mouse
Firm: WJE
Position: Forensic and Retrofit Engineer
From: Oakland, CA // Originally from Boston, MA
Alma Mater: UC Berkeley
Professional Interests: Seismic retrofit, Historic preservation, Failure investigation
Personal Interests: Cycling, Baking, and my cat, Mouse
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/editor/partner-kenneth-o-dell.jpg?250)
Ken O’Dell, PE, SE, LEED AP
Firm: MHP Structural Engineers
Position: Principal, Structural Engineer
From: Long Beach, CA via Alexandria, VA and Livermore CA
Alma Mater: Cal Poly, SLO via VA Tech
Professional Interests: I love a good concrete building, but I'm really passionate about helping people get the most out of a space.
Personal Interests: Opera is a metaphor for life. Most great operas have all the arts integrated (music, vocals, dance, design, pageantry, etc.). I love Opera because it shows what life can be when fully integrated rather than partitioned into separate parts. And I love my shirts!
Firm: MHP Structural Engineers
Position: Principal, Structural Engineer
From: Long Beach, CA via Alexandria, VA and Livermore CA
Alma Mater: Cal Poly, SLO via VA Tech
Professional Interests: I love a good concrete building, but I'm really passionate about helping people get the most out of a space.
Personal Interests: Opera is a metaphor for life. Most great operas have all the arts integrated (music, vocals, dance, design, pageantry, etc.). I love Opera because it shows what life can be when fully integrated rather than partitioned into separate parts. And I love my shirts!
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/published/partner-krista-looza.jpg?1697137002)
Krista Looza, PE, SE (She/Her/Hers)
Firm: Buehler Engineers
Position: Principal, Project Manager, Hiring
From: Grew up in Loma Rica, CA // Now living in Roseville, CA
Alma Mater: Cal Poly, SLO (ARCE)
Professional Interests: Mentorship/Training, Aviation, Education
Personal Interests: Wine Tasting/Education, Gardening, Shooting
Firm: Buehler Engineers
Position: Principal, Project Manager, Hiring
From: Grew up in Loma Rica, CA // Now living in Roseville, CA
Alma Mater: Cal Poly, SLO (ARCE)
Professional Interests: Mentorship/Training, Aviation, Education
Personal Interests: Wine Tasting/Education, Gardening, Shooting
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/published/partner-lorena-arce.jpg?1688955024)
Lorena Arce, PE (She/Her/Hers)
Firm: Lindapter
Position: Technical Sales Engineer
From: Lynwood, CA
Alma Mater: CSU Long Beach
Professional Interests: Structural Steel, Sustainability
Personal Interests: I like to travel for fun instead of for work. I like to go to sporting events and root on my favorite teams. Fun fact: I have an identical twin.
Firm: Lindapter
Position: Technical Sales Engineer
From: Lynwood, CA
Alma Mater: CSU Long Beach
Professional Interests: Structural Steel, Sustainability
Personal Interests: I like to travel for fun instead of for work. I like to go to sporting events and root on my favorite teams. Fun fact: I have an identical twin.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/published/partner-maria-mohammed.jpg?1688955030)
Maria Mohammed, PE, SE (She/Her/Hers)
Firm: Structural Focus
Position: Structural Project Engineer
From: Grew up in Ethiopia // Currently live in Long Beach, CA
Alma Mater: University of Southern California
Professional Interests: Communications Committees, Public Outreach, and Media Engagement
Personal Interests: Rock Climbing, Hiking, Camping, the Beach, Painting
Firm: Structural Focus
Position: Structural Project Engineer
From: Grew up in Ethiopia // Currently live in Long Beach, CA
Alma Mater: University of Southern California
Professional Interests: Communications Committees, Public Outreach, and Media Engagement
Personal Interests: Rock Climbing, Hiking, Camping, the Beach, Painting
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/editor/matt-quan-2023-crop.jpg?1688958755)
Matt Quan, PE (He/Him/His)
Firm: Lionakis
Position: Design Engineer
From: Grew up in San Jose, CA // Currently living in Sacramento, CA
Alma Mater: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Professional Interests: Educational Facilities Design
Personal Interests: Snowboarding, Rock Climbing, Martial Arts, Playing Guitar
Firm: Lionakis
Position: Design Engineer
From: Grew up in San Jose, CA // Currently living in Sacramento, CA
Alma Mater: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Professional Interests: Educational Facilities Design
Personal Interests: Snowboarding, Rock Climbing, Martial Arts, Playing Guitar
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/published/partner-megan-stringer.jpg?1688955041)
Megan Stringer, PE, SE, LEED AP BD+C
Firm: Holmes
Position: Associate Principal
From: San Francisco, CA
Alma Mater: Northeastern University, University of Texas at Austin
Professional Interests: Structural Sustainability, SEAONC/SEAOC, Continuing Education
Personal Interests: Travel, Cooking, Running, Watching Football. Fun fact: I was adopted as a baby!
Firm: Holmes
Position: Associate Principal
From: San Francisco, CA
Alma Mater: Northeastern University, University of Texas at Austin
Professional Interests: Structural Sustainability, SEAONC/SEAOC, Continuing Education
Personal Interests: Travel, Cooking, Running, Watching Football. Fun fact: I was adopted as a baby!
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/published/partner-melissa-vickery.jpg?1688955054)
Melissa Vickery, PE, SE, LEED AP BD+C (She/Her/Hers)
Firm: Degenkolb Engineers
Position: Structural Engineer
From: Raised in Southern CA // Based in the Bay Area since 2008
Alma Mater: Cal Poly SLO; University of Canterbury, Christchurch NZ
Professional Interests: Hospital Design, (Medical) Office Buildings, Post-Disaster Recovery, Seismic Bracing & Interiors
Personal Interests: Hiking, Backpacking, Cycling, Reading, Crochet, Wine
Firm: Degenkolb Engineers
Position: Structural Engineer
From: Raised in Southern CA // Based in the Bay Area since 2008
Alma Mater: Cal Poly SLO; University of Canterbury, Christchurch NZ
Professional Interests: Hospital Design, (Medical) Office Buildings, Post-Disaster Recovery, Seismic Bracing & Interiors
Personal Interests: Hiking, Backpacking, Cycling, Reading, Crochet, Wine
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/published/partner-natalie-tse.jpg?1688955058)
Natalie Tse, PE, SE, LEED AP (She/Her/Hers)
Firm: Tipping
Position: Project Manager
From: Born/Raised in Canada (East) // Living in SF Bay Area since 2004
Alma Mater: Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario Canada
Professional Interests: Adaptive Reuse, Education, Sustainability, Detailing, Mentorship, Engagement, Equity
Personal Interests: Cycling, Trail Running, Swimming, Argentine Tango, Theater, Travel, Food, Craft Beer
Firm: Tipping
Position: Project Manager
From: Born/Raised in Canada (East) // Living in SF Bay Area since 2004
Alma Mater: Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario Canada
Professional Interests: Adaptive Reuse, Education, Sustainability, Detailing, Mentorship, Engagement, Equity
Personal Interests: Cycling, Trail Running, Swimming, Argentine Tango, Theater, Travel, Food, Craft Beer
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/published/patti-harburg-petrich-b-w-patti-harburg-petrich-1.jpg?1689045295)
Patti Harburg-Petrich, PE, SE, LEED AP BD+C (She/Her/Hers)
Firm: Mott MacDonald
Position: West Coast Aviation Lead
From: Grew up in Tacoma, WA // Currently Live in Santa Monica, CA
Alma Mater: Washington University in St. Louis
Professional Interests: Sustainability, Modular Construction, 3D Printed Structures, Aviation
Personal Interests: I love spending time outdoors hiking, biking, and going to the beach. I also love live music!
Firm: Mott MacDonald
Position: West Coast Aviation Lead
From: Grew up in Tacoma, WA // Currently Live in Santa Monica, CA
Alma Mater: Washington University in St. Louis
Professional Interests: Sustainability, Modular Construction, 3D Printed Structures, Aviation
Personal Interests: I love spending time outdoors hiking, biking, and going to the beach. I also love live music!
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/editor/rachel-holland.jpg?1688955089)
Rachel Holland, PE (She/Her/Hers)
Firm: Simpson Strong-Tie
Position: Provides structural solutions to customers
From: San Ramon, CA
Alma Mater: Cal Poly SLO (ARCE)
Personal Interests: Running, Traveling, DIY projects. Trying to learn to golf and play ukulele
Firm: Simpson Strong-Tie
Position: Provides structural solutions to customers
From: San Ramon, CA
Alma Mater: Cal Poly SLO (ARCE)
Personal Interests: Running, Traveling, DIY projects. Trying to learn to golf and play ukulele
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/editor/partner-taylor-funk.jpg?1688955096)
Taylor Funk, PE, SE (She/Her/Hers)
Firm: Structural Focus
Position: Project Engineer
From: Grew up in Costa Mesa, CA // Currently Live in Los Angeles, CA
Alma Mater: UC Berkeley (B.S.), UT Austin (M.S.)
Professional Interests: Historical Renovations, Sustainability, DEI
Personal Interests: Movie going, Going to the beach, Exploring local breweries, Trying new restaurants
Firm: Structural Focus
Position: Project Engineer
From: Grew up in Costa Mesa, CA // Currently Live in Los Angeles, CA
Alma Mater: UC Berkeley (B.S.), UT Austin (M.S.)
Professional Interests: Historical Renovations, Sustainability, DEI
Personal Interests: Movie going, Going to the beach, Exploring local breweries, Trying new restaurants
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/editor/tim-hart.jpg?1688955140)
Tim Hart, PE, SE, LEED AP (He/Him/His)
Firm: LBNL & Build Change
Position: Lead Engineer & Senior Advisor
From: Huntington Beach, CA
Alma Mater: Cal Poly SLO (ARCE classmate of Ken O'Dell :)
Professional Interests: Seismic Safety (particularly with non-structural systems), Resilient Housing, Confined Masonry, Construction Quality Assurance, Saving Lives!
Personal Interests: I enjoy traveling, writing, rum tasting, and spoiling my niece and nephew
Firm: LBNL & Build Change
Position: Lead Engineer & Senior Advisor
From: Huntington Beach, CA
Alma Mater: Cal Poly SLO (ARCE classmate of Ken O'Dell :)
Professional Interests: Seismic Safety (particularly with non-structural systems), Resilient Housing, Confined Masonry, Construction Quality Assurance, Saving Lives!
Personal Interests: I enjoy traveling, writing, rum tasting, and spoiling my niece and nephew
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/editor/tim-kaucher.jpg?1688955148)
Timothy Kaucher, PE (He/Him/His)
Firm: Simpson Strong-Tie
Position: Director of Engineering, Southwest US
From: Eastvale, CA
Alma Mater: University of Southern California
Professional Interests: Multi Family, Seismic, Lateral Force Resisting Systems.
Personal Interests: Father of 4 boys. Volunteer at local little league. Love to travel (Hawaii is favorite spot). Competitive shooting.
Firm: Simpson Strong-Tie
Position: Director of Engineering, Southwest US
From: Eastvale, CA
Alma Mater: University of Southern California
Professional Interests: Multi Family, Seismic, Lateral Force Resisting Systems.
Personal Interests: Father of 4 boys. Volunteer at local little league. Love to travel (Hawaii is favorite spot). Competitive shooting.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/editor/wayne-low.jpg?1688955155)
Wayne Low, PE, SE, LEED AP, F.SEAOC (He/Him/His)
Firm: Degenkolb Engineers
Position: Senior Principal
From: Grew up in Bakersfield, CA // Living in SF Bay Area.
Alma Mater: UC Berkeley
Professional Interests: Hospital and Community Center Design
Personal Interests: Bicycle Riding
Firm: Degenkolb Engineers
Position: Senior Principal
From: Grew up in Bakersfield, CA // Living in SF Bay Area.
Alma Mater: UC Berkeley
Professional Interests: Hospital and Community Center Design
Personal Interests: Bicycle Riding
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/120875105/editor/zach-bettner.jpg?1688955177)
Zach Bettner, PE (He/Him/His)
Firm: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
Position: Structural Project Engineer
From: Grew up in Chico, CA // Went to school in San Diego // Currently in Orange County
Alma Mater: UC San Diego (B.S., M.S.)
Professional Interests: Structural Rehabilitation and Retrofit, Nonlinear Analysis and Performance Based Design, DEI
Personal Interests: Swimming, Weightlifting, Volleyball, Cooking, Baking, and Traveling
Firm: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
Position: Structural Project Engineer
From: Grew up in Chico, CA // Went to school in San Diego // Currently in Orange County
Alma Mater: UC San Diego (B.S., M.S.)
Professional Interests: Structural Rehabilitation and Retrofit, Nonlinear Analysis and Performance Based Design, DEI
Personal Interests: Swimming, Weightlifting, Volleyball, Cooking, Baking, and Traveling
We'd like to take a moment to express our appreciation for the support and generosity of our Pathways Investors.
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