Women make up less than 10% of the AEC industry, to celebrate these remarkable ladies March has been named “National Women in Construction” Month. SMPS is highlighting seven talented and influential ladies of the Chicago AEC industry in a panel discussion. The panelists will reflect on their experiences, obstacles, and achievements throughout their careers. Learn what it entails to be a female in a male-dominated industry and how to be successful. Come be inspired and empowered to make breakthroughs in your career and professional development no matter what your background is.

EVENT SPONSORS

    

ABOUT OUR PANEL

Aleisha Jaeger, Construction Director, Gilbane Building Company

Aleisha Jaeger has nearly 17 years of experience in the field of construction management. With her diverse construction and operations background, Aleisha brings a unique understanding of master planning and facility management concepts for operational efficiency to clients. She has significant construction, business development and marketing experience in US and Mexico, which includes the international implementation of U.S. business and construction best practices. Currently, Aleisha is a Construction Director for Gilbane Building Company in the downtown Chicago office.

Aleisha has worked for and with a wide range of clients overseeing all phases of multi-million-dollar construction projects of unique and diverse product types for government, educational and private-sector clients. Her experience includes managing large design and construction teams in delivery of office, industrial, retail, educational, government, refinery/oil & gas, food and beverage, manufacturing and commercial projects.  She plays a significant role in client relationships and new business development. Aleisha or her projects have been featured in various magazines including the MU Engineering Magazine Fall 2002 Issue, Midwest Construction Magazine, College of DuPage: The Sky’s the Limit, Nontraditional Careers in the workplace, and she presented in the July 2012 National SCUP Conference held in Chicago on the Topic of National Security, Emerging Careers.

Natalia N. Homedi, P.E., Principal, Atlas Engineering Group

Natalia N. Homedi, PE, is Founder and Principal of Atlas Engineering Group, Ltd. (AEG), which is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois. Ms. Homedi has over 26 years of engineering experience in management, planning, marketing, civil engineering design and construction management. Her experience includes Phase I/ Phase II Design and Studies, roadway design, geometric design, hydraulic/hydrologic studies, traffic signals, lighting design, Phase III Construction Management for private and public sector projects.

Prior to founding AEG in 2007, Ms. Homedi held positions as the Hydraulics & Hydrology Engineer/Consultant Drainage Studies Engineer for Illinois Dept. of Transportation (IDOT) District 1, and as a Project Coordinator / Manager for the Illinois State Toll & Highway Authority (ISTHA) managing a wide variety of Tollway projects.

Ms. Homedi is active with organizations such as the American Council of Engineering Companies, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Organization of Minority Engineers, and Women in Transportation (WTS), HACIA and Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce (ILBCC). Currently, she is co-chair of the Tollway’s Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) representing Women in Transportation (WTS) and is member of the DAC’s Mentor-Protégé committee.

Cherryl Thomas, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ardmore Associates

Ms. Thomas has over 40 years of experience, successfully directing, managing, maintaining and administering various high profile projects and budgets. Cherryl worked for the City of Chicago in the Departments of Public Works, Water, Aviation and Buildings, and as Deputy Chief of Staff for Infrastructure in the Mayor’s Office. Cherryl retired as Commissioner of Buildings for the City of Chicago to accept an appointment by President Clinton as Chairman of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board. Upon completion of her term at the Railroad Retirement Board, Cherryl founded Ardmore Associates.

Jacqueline T. Doyle, P.E., PMP, CCM, PSP, LEED AP, AVS, President/Owner, Coordinated Constriction Project Control Services,LLC

Jacqueline has been a project controls professional for over 22 years and has led project controls teams on a multibillion dollar school construction programs, new hospital projects, and infrastructure projects with construction values in excess of $2B. She has significant strengths in cost and schedule management and owner representative services.  Jackie founded her own Consulting Firm, Coordinated Construction Project Control Services LLC in 2010 and has worked on hundreds of projects in the last seven years.

Jackie’s educational background includes a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a M.S. in Construction Engineering and Management from the Illinois Institute of Technology. She is also a Registered Professional Engineer in the States of Illinois and Florida, a Project Management Professional, a Certified Construction Manager, a Planning & Scheduling Professional, a LEED Accredited Professional, and an Associate Value Specialist. Ms. Doyle sits on the Board of various professional organizations, is a published author in the American Society of Civil Engineering Journal and has presented multiple white papers at two AACE International Annual Meetings.

Eileen Chin, President, R.M. Chin & Associates, Inc.

Eileen Chin serves as President of R.M. Chin & Associates, Inc. (RMCA), a M/W/DBE firm providing Owner’s Representation, Project/Program, and Construction Management services for leading public and private entities in the transportation, aviation, and buildings sectors. Prior to joining RMCA, Eileen developed and implemented communication strategies for major transportation projects; most notably, gaining regulatory and legislative approval for the O’Hare Modernization Program, and managing the community outreach and strategic communications for the historic Midway Airport Terminal Development Program.

As a chapter member of WTS for the last 12 years, Eileen has served on the Board of Directors and various committees. She was recently honored as Member of the Year at the 2016 WTS Greater Chicago Annual Awards. Eileen serves on the Planning & Design Board for the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association, holds a Board of Director position on the Chicago Sinfonietta, and supports a number of Asian American community organizations throughout Chicago. She was also named 2015 Business Leader of Color by Chicago United and 2015 Mandarin Leader in North America.

Ellen Bailey Dickson, Principal, Bailey Edward

Ellen Bailey Dickson is founding principal of Bailey Edward, a woman-owned architecture, engineering, and construction management firm. Dickson holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and studied at the Ecole d’Architecture et d’Urbanisme in Versailles, France. She has been recognized as AIA Young Architect of the Year, NAWBO Business Woman of the Year, one of the ‘Top 100 Women Making A Difference’ and a ‘Woman of Influence’.

Dickson’s a/e/c practice has grown over its 25-year history from a sole proprietorship into a corporation with annual receipts in excess of six million dollars. As Managing Principal, Dickson acts as Principal-in-Charge, Project Manager and Senior Designer for government, education and community design projects.

Julie Watts, President, J.A. Watts

Julie Watts has over 25 years of experience delivering transportation projects for a wide range of clients. This experience has provided her with the ability to manage multiple projects involving complex scopes of work along with meeting demanding deadlines, while overseeing the day to day operations of the firm. Julie is knowledgeable and accomplished at providing services such as program management, project management and construction management given her understanding of all facets of a project from conception through to completion. Prior to starting J.A. Watts, Inc. over 17 years ago, Julie worked for Southwest Airlines. She holds a BA in Interior Design from Purdue University and belongs to the American Association of Airport Executives.

 

Parking Information

Parking is available at the garage located across the street from Petterino’s at 181 N. Dearborn. When checking in for the program, please make sure you receive a parking voucher. Please insert the parking voucher into the automated machine at the garage in order to receive the discount of $13 for a max of 3 hours. 

All sales are final. Refunds must be requested 5 days prior to an event in writing or by email. 

Student Membership Eligibility. Registration at Student rate be verified and if the registrant is found to be non-compliant with these requirements, s/he will be responsible for the balance of the full, applicable rate.

TICKETS

$50.00 SMPS Members
$75.00 after 5:00 pm March 6

$95.00 Non-members
$120.00 after 5:00 pm March 6

$0.00 Annual Sponsor – Member