Today is Global Women in Engineering Day, a world-wide celebration of the work and achievements of women engineers and an opportunity to highlight careers in engineering. At Michael Baker International, we strive to create an energetic and innovative workforce comprised of diverse backgrounds, passions and capabilities and in honor of Global Women in Engineering Day, we spoke with some of the many women engineers at Michael Baker who Make a Difference each day for our company, our clients and our communities.
Krista Stippelmans, P.E., SPRAT II, Civil Engineer
Denver, Colorado
Michael Baker: What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
Krista Stippelmans: I desire to make a difference, even if it is in the life of just one person. I knew that a career in engineering, no matter what discipline I chose, could open the doors for special opportunities that allow me to do that.
Michael Baker: What do you like most about your job?
Krista Stippelmans: It’s a tough call between the people that I get to work with locally and nationally and my work as a rope access technician inspecting bridges, but I think they both complement each other. Rope access has allowed me to meet some remarkable people within Michael Baker and across the industry.
Thulasi Vinayagam, P.E., Project Manager – Bridge
Greenville, South Carolina
Michael Baker: What Michael Baker project are you most proud of?
Thulasi Vinayagam: SCDOT Load Rating: Michael Baker established the statewide load rating program and oversaw the program involving the entire inventory of over 9,500 structures, including oversight of five other consultants, and site assessments and ratings of over 1,800 bridges and culverts in District 3. I served as a Task Manager for a site assessment effort in District 3.
Michael Baker: What advice do you have for other women in engineering?
Thulasi Vinayagam: Be proud. We provide a good balance to the field of engineering.
Alexandra DiMino, Civil Associate
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Michael Baker: Who inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
Alexandra DiMino: My brother – he was involved in FIRST Robotics in high school and would tell me about what they were building and designing. One day he brought me along and got me involved with his robotics team. From that point on, I was hooked and wanted to be an engineer. My brother showed me how to turn an idea into a reality and taught me about the satisfaction that comes from creating something new.
Michael Baker: What do you like most about your job?
Alexandra DiMino: I love that my job contributes to the future infrastructure of America and will have a lasting effect on society even after I am gone.
Billie Joy Budner, P.E., PTOE, Technical Manager – Traffic
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Michael Baker: What do you like most about your job?
Billie Joy Budner: My team – I can’t say enough about the entire traffic group and the respect we have for each other. I am surrounded by a team that supports me and believes in me. I’m so grateful for them!
Michael Baker: What Michael Baker project are you most proud of?
Billie Joy Budner: We are just finishing the renovation of 28 signalized intersections in Fairmont, West Virginia. This project was Michael Baker’s first assignment for signal design in West Virginia.
Anna Norris-Jones, E.I., Civil Associate – Transportation
Jackson, Mississippi
Michael Baker: What do you like most about your job?
Anna Norris-Jones: The thing I like most about my job would have to be the collaboration and teamwork aspect. It truly takes a team effort to develop a complete set of plans. Transportation projects require a combined effort from various engineering specialties (traffic, roadway, bridge, hydraulics, etc.) along with drafters, surveyors and many others to complete a project from beginning to end. I feel that I would not enjoy working in solitude and am very thankful to be able to work each day with such a wonderful team.
Michael Baker: What advice do you have for other women in engineering?
Anna Norris-Jones: For women starting out in engineering, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions. Engaging in conversations with more experienced engineers is one of the best ways to learn.
On Global Women in Engineering Day and every day, we thank each and every member of our Wolf Pack for the work you do in delivering quality of life.
At Michael Baker, we are committed to recruiting women at all levels and disciplines, retaining women by creating a culture that recognizes and rewards their achievements and advancing women by investing and supporting their professional development through education, networking and leadership opportunities. Interested in joining our Wolf Pack? View open positions here.
