Welcome everyone to ASCE's new Communities of Practice! The goal for these CoPs is to provide a place where all of our members can interact with each other - share your own experiences, ask questions, and meet others with common interests in the civil engineering world and beyond. Thank you for joining one of our pilot CoPs, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion! We hope that you'll find this space welcoming and that you start your own discussions, create blog posts, and attend virtual events that will be coming in the future.

To help get things started, let's get to know each other. Please reply to this post and tell us who you are! Respond with your name, where you are from and a little bit about what you do. Also, if you'd like, please add something you've seen in your work or your community that has inspired you to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. I'll go first!

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Hi everyone, I'm Lauren, and I'm a Technical Manager working for Woodard & Curran, a firm that focuses on water and the environment across consulting and operations. I grew up, went to college, and still live and work as a civil engineer on site development projects in Maine. Just this weekend I attended Homecoming at UMaine to commemorate my 20-year reunion (20 years...ooof). A couple of us spent some time looking back at the list of civil graduates in our class - our civil engineering class graduated in 2004 with 30% women, which is a pretty high percentage! Only a few of us are still practicing engineers 20 years later, however. Really looking at these numbers has inspired me to look more into what to do to help attract women to engineering professions...and just as important, how to keep them there. Coincidentally, I was also just invited to attend a local event focusing on Women leaders in the AEC industry...a perfect place to help build those discussions!!

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I encourage everyone who has joined the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion CoP to reply to this post, and introduce yourself. Welcome everyone!!

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Lauren Swett P.E., M.ASCE
Engineer
Woodard and Curran
Portland ME
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Hi everyone!!

Myself Sam Rana, 1st year student.I am a motivated and enthusiastic undergraduate student pursuing my Bachelor of Technology degree at Delhi Technological University from the department of Environmental engineering . My academic interests lie in civil engineering, with a focus on innovative construction techniques, sustainable infrastructure development, and structural analysis.

I have taken the lead in establishing the ASCE DTU Student Chapter, which is currently in the developmental phase. The primary objectives of this initiative are as follows:

- Cultivate collaborative relationships among students, faculty members, and industry experts

- Facilitate the exchange of knowledge and promote technological advancements

- Advocate for the development of sustainable infrastructure and the implementation of innovative solutions

I am eager to explore research opportunities and collaborate with esteemed faculty members. My objective is to contribute meaningfully to cutting-edge research projects and expand my expertise in civil engineering.

As a proud Cadet of 1 Delhi Armoured Squadron (1DAS) NCC, I've developed valuable skills in leadership, teamwork, and discipline, complementing my academic pursuits.

LinkedIn account-  https://www.linkedin.com/in/samrana7

Phone number- +91 9711143911

Email- saimrana7023@... 

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Sam Rana S.M.ASCE
Student
New Delhi
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Hi. I'm Bill. I worked for the Corps of Engineers for 32 years, taught at Mississippi State U. for 14 years and am now in private practice with Dynamic Solutions, LLC. For all but the most seriously math-challenged, it will be obvious that I'm a fossil. I practice in water resources engineering, with the bulk of my experience in hydraulics and sedimentation of navigable waters. My wife Carol and I split our time between Mississippi and Texas.

My interest in DEI stems from a desire to see our best and brightest become engineers and then flourish in their careers. ASCE should help them overcome whatever obstacles that might hinder them. I'm hoping that my past experiences as a staff engineer, recruiter, and manager can provide helpful insights to those goals.

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William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
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Bill, I am Renee Kimball, a structural engineer in private practice in Illinois.  I've seen your posts and have made a few myself in the DEI arena.  I am a member of ASCE's JEDI (Justice, Equity Diversity, and Inclusion) committee.  Michele Heyward is another member and she is putting together a proposal for a panel presentation at the Structures Congress in Boston April 29-May 1 2026 on the subject of retaining engineers (calling it DEI may not carry the day). It is due on June 4th (not much time) and we are looking for other panelists. Currently it is just her and me.  Would you be interested in being a panelist?

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Renee Kimball A.M.ASCE
K2N Crest
Oak Brook IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2024 06:56 PM
From: William McAnally
Subject: Welcome to the ASCE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Community of Practice - Let's get to know each other!

Hi. I'm Bill. I worked for the Corps of Engineers for 32 years, taught at Mississippi State U. for 14 years and am now in private practice with Dynamic Solutions, LLC. For all but the most seriously math-challenged, it will be obvious that I'm a fossil. I practice in water resources engineering, with the bulk of my experience in hydraulics and sedimentation of navigable waters. My wife Carol and I split our time between Mississippi and Texas.

My interest in DEI stems from a desire to see our best and brightest become engineers and then flourish in their careers. ASCE should help them overcome whatever obstacles that might hinder them. I'm hoping that my past experiences as a staff engineer, recruiter, and manager can provide helpful insights to those goals.

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William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
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Thank you so much for the invitation, Renee. I would love to accept; however, I limit my travel and will be unable to get to Boston.

Bill Mc

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William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-02-2025 06:20 PM
From: Renee Kimball
Subject: Welcome to the ASCE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Community of Practice - Let's get to know each other!

Bill, I am Renee Kimball, a structural engineer in private practice in Illinois.  I've seen your posts and have made a few myself in the DEI arena.  I am a member of ASCE's JEDI (Justice, Equity Diversity, and Inclusion) committee.  Michele Heyward is another member and she is putting together a proposal for a panel presentation at the Structures Congress in Boston April 29-May 1 2026 on the subject of retaining engineers (calling it DEI may not carry the day). It is due on June 4th (not much time) and we are looking for other panelists. Currently it is just her and me.  Would you be interested in being a panelist?

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Renee Kimball A.M.ASCE
K2N Crest
Oak Brook IL
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2024 06:56 PM
From: William McAnally
Subject: Welcome to the ASCE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Community of Practice - Let's get to know each other!

Hi. I'm Bill. I worked for the Corps of Engineers for 32 years, taught at Mississippi State U. for 14 years and am now in private practice with Dynamic Solutions, LLC. For all but the most seriously math-challenged, it will be obvious that I'm a fossil. I practice in water resources engineering, with the bulk of my experience in hydraulics and sedimentation of navigable waters. My wife Carol and I split our time between Mississippi and Texas.

My interest in DEI stems from a desire to see our best and brightest become engineers and then flourish in their careers. ASCE should help them overcome whatever obstacles that might hinder them. I'm hoping that my past experiences as a staff engineer, recruiter, and manager can provide helpful insights to those goals.

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS

Original Message:
Sent: 6/3/2025 8:17:00 AM
From: William McAnally
Subject: RE: Welcome to the ASCE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Community of Practice - Let's get to know each other!

Thank you so much for the invitation, Renee. I would love to accept; however, I limit my travel and will be unable to get to Boston.

Bill Mc

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William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-02-2025 06:20 PM
From: Renee Kimball
Subject: Welcome to the ASCE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Community of Practice - Let's get to know each other!

Bill, I am Renee Kimball, a structural engineer in private practice in Illinois.  I've seen your posts and have made a few myself in the DEI arena.  I am a member of ASCE's JEDI (Justice, Equity Diversity, and Inclusion) committee.  Michele Heyward is another member and she is putting together a proposal for a panel presentation at the Structures Congress in Boston April 29-May 1 2026 on the subject of retaining engineers (calling it DEI may not carry the day). It is due on June 4th (not much time) and we are looking for other panelists. Currently it is just her and me.  Would you be interested in being a panelist?

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Renee Kimball A.M.ASCE
K2N Crest
Oak Brook IL
------------------------------

Hello,

I'm Ernie.  I'm a Region 7 Governor and Past President of the Kansas City Section.  I am the Development Engineering Manager for the City of Shawnee, KS so anything that is built by private development (subdivisions, schools, shopping centers, office buildings, utilites) comes through my Department for conformance with City Standards.  I'm also the floodplain administrator for the City and a veteran.  My interest in DEI comes from seeing what others are doing to promote a better understanding of what DEI is and isn't.  DEI has become a political casualty which is unfortunate in a nation as diverse as the US is.

I'm part of the APWA DEI network and their efforts have been to showcase the benefit of DEI to organizations like fully staffing their workforce, better connecting organizations the communities they serve, and trying to overcome underrepresentation of some parts of those communities.  These are goals that I believe ASCE is well suited to work towards at all levels.    

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Ernesto Longoria P.E., M.ASCE
Development Engineering Manager
City of Shawnee, KS
Shawnee KS
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Hi I'm Lorie and I'm a university student at University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee in the Physics with an Emphasis on Astronomy degree program. I am a Double Major in Astronomy and General Maths. I'm interested in the way that DEI programs are designed, funded and implemented

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Lorie Haywood S.M.ASCE
Milwaukee WI
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Hi, I'm "William M. Hayden Jr." and you can review my background in LnkdN.

Back in 1991 or so ASCE President Bill Henry, with the urging of his wife, initiated

"Women and Diversity in Civil Engineering."

Serving within that group I learned more than I ever knew before about the reality of life

in the workplace for women and people of color.

e.g., at that very conference the various ASCE groups broke out into rooms for their meetings.

When I walked by each, I noted that women engineers were taking the group's notes and arranging for coffee breaks!!!

The attached paper summarizes my lessons.

Cheers,

Bill

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William M. Hayden Jr., Ph.D., P.E., CMQ/OE, F.ASCE
Buffalo, N.Y.

"It is never too late to be what you might have been." -- George Eliot 1819 - 1880
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-06-2025 11:05 AM
From: Lorie Haywood
Subject: Welcome to the ASCE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Community of Practice - Let's get to know each other!

Hi I'm Lorie and I'm a university student at University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee in the Physics with an Emphasis on Astronomy degree program. I am a Double Major in Astronomy and General Maths. I'm interested in the way that DEI programs are designed, funded and implemented

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Lorie Haywood S.M.ASCE
Milwaukee WI
------------------------------

Hello! I am Renee Kimball.  The thing people find interesting about me is that I grew up in Hawaii (and moved to the Chicago area on graduation from college in 1982) thus causing doubts about my judgement. However, I find Midwest to be great place to live despite its weather.

I am structural engineer and founded K2N Crest (18-person, structural engineering, architecture, building envelope consulting) in 1992. We are headquartered in Oak Brook, IL and have a branch office in Maui (so maybe by judgement is not that poor?). If anyone is interested in working in Maui let me know...

My relatively recent involvement in ASCE and DEI stems from my ability to devote the time now that I am transitioning to a less active role in the firm and a desire to make a difference for the next generation of engineers.

Growing up in Hawaii where the population is immensely diverse, where the vast majority of the population is of mixed ethnicity, and no group dominates the society, has left me with an understanding of how diverse cultures can get along, maintain their traditions and beliefs, and create a loving and peaceful environment full of variety, the Aloha Sprit.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I am a transgender woman (not sure if that's important or not).

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Renee Kimball A.M.ASCE
K2N Crest
Oak Brook IL
------------------------------

Welcome, Renee. Yes, moving from Hawaii to Chicago will raise a lot of eyebrows, as did our decision to move from Phoenix to Mississippi many years ago. I turned down a job offer in Hawaii, which seemed to many a really foolish decision. Instead, we traded one sort of killer heat for another sort but found a wonderful place to raise our 4 children and a super place to work with the Corps. I look forward to hearing more from you in this forum.

Best regards,

Bill Mc

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William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-21-2025 10:49 AM
From: Renee Kimball
Subject: Welcome to the ASCE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Community of Practice - Let's get to know each other!

Hello! I am Renee Kimball.  The thing people find interesting about me is that I grew up in Hawaii (and moved to the Chicago area on graduation from college in 1982) thus causing doubts about my judgement. However, I find Midwest to be great place to live despite its weather.

I am structural engineer and founded K2N Crest (18-person, structural engineering, architecture, building envelope consulting) in 1992. We are headquartered in Oak Brook, IL and have a branch office in Maui (so maybe by judgement is not that poor?). If anyone is interested in working in Maui let me know...

My relatively recent involvement in ASCE and DEI stems from my ability to devote the time now that I am transitioning to a less active role in the firm and a desire to make a difference for the next generation of engineers.

Growing up in Hawaii where the population is immensely diverse, where the vast majority of the population is of mixed ethnicity, and no group dominates the society, has left me with an understanding of how diverse cultures can get along, maintain their traditions and beliefs, and create a loving and peaceful environment full of variety, the Aloha Sprit.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I am a transgender woman (not sure if that's important or not).

------------------------------
Renee Kimball A.M.ASCE
K2N Crest
Oak Brook IL
------------------------------