Structural Engineering, Engagement, and Equity
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Symposium Speakers, 
​Thought Leaders, & Moderators

2022 SE3 Symposium
The Past, Present, and Future of DEI in Structural Engineering 
​
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Berkeley, California

Hayley Proctor, PE (she/her)
Engineering Associate, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
SEAONC SE3 CO-CHAIR, SYMPOSIUM LEAD COORDINATOR

Hayley is an engineering associate at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates in the San Francisco Bay Area office. She is a licensed civil engineer in California, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a Master’s degree in structural engineering from UC Berkeley. She joined WJE in 2018, where she mainly works on forensics, evaluations, analyses, repairs, and retrofits of existing structures. Hayley joined the SEAONC SE3 Committee in 2019, co-led the Diversity & Inclusion task group for 2019-2020, and the Racial Equity task group for 2020-2021. ​ 
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Curtis Siegfried, PE (he/him)
Engineer, Degenkolb Engineers
SEAONC SE3 CO-CHAIR, SYMPOSIUM LEAD COORDINATOR​

Curtis is a Design Engineer with Degenkolb Engineers based in the Oakland, California office. He is a licensed civil engineer in California, and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. Curtis joined Degenkolb’s Oakland office in 2016 after completing his Master’s degree. While Curtis is currently based out of Degenkolb’s Oakland office, he moved to Vancouver, British Columbia in the Fall of 2021 and currently works remotely while his partner pursues her PhD. in Earthquake Engineering from the University of British Columbia. He joined the SEAONC SE3 Committee in the summer of 2020 motivated by the social climate and a desire to educate himself and improve the diversity, equity, and inclusion of the structural engineering community. He is the current co-chair of the committee and co-lead of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion task-group.
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Kaat Ceder, PE (she/her)
Engineering Associate, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
2021-2022 SEAONC SE3 VICE CHAIR, SYMPOSIUM LEAD COORDINATOR
​KEYNOTE SPEAKER and SESSION B2 FACILITATOR

Kaat is an engineering associate at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates in the San Francisco Bay Area office. She is a licensed civil engineer in California, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a Master’s degree in structural engineering from UC Berkeley. Kaat joined WJE in 2019, where she focuses on the repair and retrofit of existing structures of all kinds. She started and currently coordinates WJE San Francisco DEI group along with Hayley Proctor. Kaat joined the SEAONC SE3 Committee in 2019 and is part of the DEI and Racial Equity task groups. She is currently one of the co-vice chairs of the committee with Priscilla Nguyen. ​
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Natalie Tse, SE, LEED AP (she/her)
Project Manager, Tipping Structural Engineers
SE3 CO-FOUNDER & 2015-2017 SEAONC SE3 CHAIR
NCSEA SE3 OUTREACH CO-LEAD
​KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Natalie Y. Tse is a California Licensed Structural Engineer with a broad range of design experience in educational, commercial/retail, residential, science and technology sectors. She joined Tipping Structural Engineers in Berkeley, California as a Project Manager in 2017.  

Natalie's portfolio includes the structural design, assessment, and seismic retrofit of over 35 school campuses, a mission critical laboratory and office building, and the design of a new wood-framed cathedral over concrete post-tensioned podium. Natalie is deeply passionate about innovative solutions, well-integrated and cost-effective designs, responsiveness during construction, and open communication. She is profoundly committed to learning, mentoring, building strong relationships, family, and giving back to the community. 

In 2015, she co-founded the SE3 Project, a project established to understand and mitigate issues of employee engagement and retention, advancement, work/life balance, gender and racial equity and design justice in the structural engineering profession. Natalie received her BSE in Engineering and Mathematics from Queen’s University in Canada in 2002. She is a recipient of the SEAOC Giles Scholarship and the Edwin G Zacher Award. Natalie lives in the San Francisco East Bay with her husband and three children, aged 8, 10, and 12.
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Nick Sherrow-Groves, SE (he/him)
Senior Engineer, Holmes
​​2017-2018 SEAONC SE3 CO-CHAIR & 2018-2019 NCSEA SE3 CO-CHAIR 
​KEYNOTE SPEAKER

​Nick Sherrow-Groves is a Senior Engineer at the San Francisco office of Holmes. He previous worked at Arup, where he worked since shortly after he graduated from UC Berkeley in 2010. During his time at Arup, he worked on a wide variety of projects, from large-scale infrastructure projects like the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to small boutique projects like the Reflected Loop (an art installation in a San Francisco Muni station) and SOAK (an urban bathhouse constructed out of shipping containers). Before his time at Arup or his master’s degree at Berkeley, Nick spent a year abroad with the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, interviewing people who had been affected by earthquakes in El Salvador, Peru, Japan, and India. Nick was a core member of the 2015-16 SE3 team, the 2016-17 SEAONC SE3 co-chair, and the 2018-2019 NCSEA SE3 co-chair.​​
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Priscilla Nguyen, SE (she/her)
Engineer, Martinez Moore Engineers
2021-2022 SEAONC SE3 VICE CHAIR
SE3 RESEARCH PRESENTER

Priscilla is a Structural Engineer at Martinez Moore Engineers (MME) in the Houston office. She is a licensed civil engineer and structural engineer in California, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s degree in civil engineering (with a structural engineering focus) from Stanford University. Priscilla joined Martinez Moore Engineers in February 2022, where she provided structural engineering support for healthcare and higher education projects in Texas. Prior to MME, Priscilla was a Designer/Design Engineer at Degenkolb Engineers in the Oakland office, where she helped found the Diversity & Inclusion Group, and a Civil Project Engineer at PG&E. Priscilla joined the SEAONC SE3 Committee in 2020 and is part of the Racial Equity task group. She is also the outgoing Professional Development Director for the San Francisco Bay Area professional chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE).
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Frances Yang (she/her)
Associate, Arup
​SESSION B1 PANELIST

As leader of the sustainable materials practice in Arup's Americas region, Frances has extensive experience in leading projects towards lower carbon, more sustainable, and healthier outcomes.  She led the technical development of the Bay Area Low Carbon Concrete code, led production of the East Bay Carbon-Storing Building Prototype, was an inaugural member of the SEAONC Sustainable Design Committee in 2005, and is vice-chair of SE 2050.
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Dr. Laurie Johnson (she/her)
Chief Catastrophe Response and Resiliency Officer, California Earthquake Authority
​Principal, Laurie Johnson Consulting
​SESSION B1 PANELIST

Laurie Johnson is an internationally-recognized urban planner specializing in disaster recovery and catastrophe risk management. For over 30 years, she has combined her unique blend of professional practice and research to help communities address the complex urban challenges posed by natural hazards and disasters. Much of her post-disaster recovery efforts are captured in her recent book, After Great Disasters: An In-Depth Analysis of How Six Countries Managed Community Recovery (2017). In June 2020, she assumed the position of the Chief Catastrophe Response and Resiliency Officer for the California Earthquake Authority, responsible for CEA post-earthquake readiness and response as well as the claims administration for the newly-established California Wildfire Fund. She is the immediate Past-President of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners, and chairs the Governing Board of the California Residential Mitigation Program.
She holds a Doctor of Informatics degree from Kyoto University, and is also a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she received both a Master of Urban Planning and a Bachelor of Science in Geophysics.
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Sarah Rege, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, NCARB (she/her)
Sustainability Director, Webcor
​
​SESSION B1 PANELIST

Sarah is a licensed Architect with over 20 years of experience. She is currently the Sustainability Director at Webcor and was previously a Principal at Perkins&Will. Sarah considers design as it relates to the environment. She sees every building as a community that requires many parts, people and components to make the building function as it should. Her goal is to make every building a healthy place.
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Danny Preut (he/him)
Engineer-In-Training, Martin / Martin Consulting Engineers 
SESSION B1 LEAD COORDINATOR

Danny is an Engineer-In-Training at Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers in the San Francisco Bay Area office. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Kansas State University and a Master of Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University. Danny began working at Martin/Martin in 2020 after working for three years for Ryan Engineering in Northwest Arkansas. Danny has been active in SEAONC SE3 for two years and is the incoming co vice-chair and co-lead of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion task-group. Danny enjoys playing soccer, cooking and trying new foods, and working on home improvement projects.
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David Mar, SE (he/him)
Partner, Mar Structural Design
SESSION B2 SPEAKER

David is a Partner at Mar Structural Design. He specializes in seismic and sustainable design, with a particular focus on optimizing projects and controlling construction costs through innovative and novel structural systems, materials, and methodologies. ​
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Joy Wei, SE (she/her)
Associate & Project Director, Tipping Structural Engineers
SESSION B2 SPEAKER

Joy is an Associate and Project Director at Tipping Structural Engineers. She works on a wide variety of projects ranging from affordable housing to academic buildings to high rises and is passionate about improving the design profession through systems thinking. She believes that by exploring design solutions through the practice of curious and courageous questioning, we can provide safe, sustainable, and resilient built environments for all.
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Julia Weatherspoon Associate AIA, LEED AP BD+C (she/her) 
Architectural Designer, Adjunct Professor, 2021-2022 SFNOMA President 
SESSION B2 SPEAKER

Julia is an Architectural Designer at SmithGroup and an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco. She also serves as the 2021-2022 President of SFNOMA as well as the National Recording Secretary role on the NOMA National Executive Board. She has experience working on an array of architecture projects of various scales including workplace commercial interiors, aviation, community and civic design, and higher education. Julia is committed to changing the narrative about diversity, inclusion, and belonging within the design industry and aims to do her part in increasing visibility and representation in design. She challenges people to look at design holistically and through an equity lens. ​
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Jen Gross, SE, LEED AP (she/her)
Associate, Degenkolb Engineers
SESSION B3 SPEAKER

Jen is an Associate at Degenkolb Engineers.  Her more than 15 years at the firm includes responsibility for assisting with a wide range of projects from seismic evaluations to renovations. Jen provides valuable assistance and resources to her clients. She is very proud of her current opportunities to co-lead the D&I employee resource group as well as be a member of the DEI Council at Degenkolb.
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Rachel Cohen, PE (she/her)
Engineer, Forell | Elsesser Engineers
SESSION B3 SPEAKER

Rachel is an engineer at Forell/Elsesser Engineers. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Brown University and her Master’s degree from UC Berkeley, and is now a licensed civil engineer in California. Since joining F/E in 2017, Rachel has worked on a range of new design and retrofit projects within the higher education, healthcare, and civic sectors, and has gained experience in bringing projects from schematic design through construction. Rachel joined SE3 in early 2018. She co-led the Outreach & Communications subcomittee for the 2018-2019 year, helping to launch SE3’s quarterly newsletter and “Leadership in Action” blog. Outside of engineering, Rachel is an avid dancer, and enjoys cooking, running, and attending live music events.
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Tiffany D. Chatmon, MBA (she/her)
Director of Human Resources, Hilti North America
​SESSION B3 SPEAKER

Tiffany is the Director of Human Resources at Hilti North America. She holds a BS in Public Relations from University of Florida and an MBA from University of Phoenix. Tiffany joined Hilti in 2015 and serves as the Diversity, Equity, and inclusion Program Manager in 2021 before becoming Director of Human Resources. 

Dr. Yvette E. Pearson, Ph.D, PE, F.ASCE (she/her)
Founder and Principal Consultant, The PEER Group
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR
A Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Dr. Yvette E. Pearson is recognized globally for over 25 years of contributions to engineering education and practice, particularly for her work along the intersections of sustainability, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She was part of the team that first introduced DEI into ASCE’s Code of Ethics, providing leadership for the principle that requires engineers to consider the diversity of the communities they serve and to include diverse perspectives in planning and design. She later led the revision of an ASCE policy, which is now titled “Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion” (JEDI) and co-led the publication of a DEI Best Practices Guide. Her awards and honors include ABET’s Claire L. Felbinger Award for Diversity and Inclusion, ASCE’s Professional Practice Ethics and Leadership Award, the Society of Women Engineers’ Distinguished Engineering Educator Award, and ASCE’s President’s Medal. Pearson is a registered Professional Engineer, a Commissioner on ABET’s Engineering Accreditation Commission, and host of Engineering Change Podcast, which has audiences in over 70 countries on six continents.
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Ann Coleman, Architect (she/they)
Principal and Unit Manager at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
DEI COHORTS PANELIST

Ann is a Principal and Unit Manager at WJE in Emeryville, CA. She has been with WJE for over 25 years and has been a manager of several offices throughout the company. Ann's professional experience encompasses the investigation, repair design, peer review, commissioning, and construction administration for building enclosure systems.
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Eric Long, SE, LEED AP (he/him)
Principal, Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM)
​DEI COHORTS PANELIST

As Structural Engineering Principal in the San Francisco office, Eric Long incorporates innovative structural engineering design concepts to drive new solutions in building design and construction. Long works in close collaboration with the entire design team, including architectural and MEP, to develop integrated ideas and advance each project in pursuit of design excellence. He maintains this focus through the entire structural design process, from the development of the structural concept and selection of building systems, through final construction documentation and administration.

Long’s project experience includes the design of office, residential, and multi-use mid-rise and high-rise structures, in addition to complex multi-building developments. Notable projects include the United States Embassy in Beijing, the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, 350 Mission Street in San Francisco, and the New Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles. Long has successfully incorporated innovative and technologically advanced structural applications into the design of these projects including seismic base-isolation, long-span cable structures, integrated glass curtain wall systems, and performance-based seismic design
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Stefanie Rae Arizabal, PE (she/her)
Senior Engineer, ZFA Structural Engineers
DEI COHORTS PANELIST

Stephanie Rae Arizabal is a Senior Engineer at ZFA Structural Engineers. She has more than 10 years of experience and is well versed in residential design and seismic retrofit. Stephanie serves as a mentor to younger engineers and is active in structural reconnaissance response to natural disasters and urban search and rescue. 
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Thuy Nguyen Fontelera, PE, SE, LEED AP (she/her)
Founder & Principal, Element SE
DEI COHORTS PANELIST

A passionate entrepreneur and seasoned professional engineer with two decades of experience in structural engineering.  Thuy Fontelera founded ESE in 2011, and quickly achieved becoming a Certified Women and Minority-Owned Structural Engineering Firm in the Bay Area. 
Thuy takes great pride in her firm’s outstanding reputation and continued success. Her fondness for architecture and its beauty cultivate her enthusiasm to provide the most cost-effective and efficient buildings possible.
Thuy is also walks the walk for the future of our industry. She is involved in leadership programs that encourage future engineers such as SEAONC's SE3 Mentorship program, regular engagements as an Adviser in the local High Schools' ROP and STEM classes, advocating for future High School engineering programs, and coaching regional youth teams for the LEGO robotics League.
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Brenna Marcoux, PE (she/her)
Engineer, Forell | Elsesser Engineers
DEI COHORTS MODERATOR

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Pradeep Jhamnani (he/him)
Technical Director, Hilti Inc.
CLOSING REMARKS

Pradeep is a Structural Engineer with Hilti Inc. based in Walnut Creek, California and currently head of engineering for west coast. He holds Civil Engineering degree and Master’s in Marketing Management from University of Mumbai, India. Before joining Hilti, he worked as a structural design engineer for 8 years in Mumbai specializing in repairs and retrofits as well as structural audits of high-rise buildings. Pradeep joined Hilti in India 17 years ago and has worked for Hilti in 4 different countries before moving to the United States in 2017. Passion for developing people and desire to lead inclusively, motivated him to join SEAONC and currently serves on Long Term Mentorship and DE&I task groups.  ​
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  • Events
    • 2025 SE3 Symposium >
      • Registration
      • Program Overview
      • Program Deep Dive
      • Travel
      • FAQ
      • Symposium Planning Team
      • Sponsorship
    • Past Events >
      • 2025 Navigating a Career as a Non-US Citizen
      • 2024 Fostering Racial Equity
      • 2024 Parenting Charrette
      • 2024 Celebration of Women in Structural Engineering
      • 2023 Long-Term Mentorship Program
      • 2022 SE3 Symposium Recap >
        • Thought Leaders
        • FAQ
        • Symposium Link Tree
      • 2019 SE3 Symposium Recap
      • 2017 SE3 Symposium Recap
  • Contributors
    • Past SE3 Committee Contributors
  • Publications & Best Practices
    • SEAONC SE3 Publications
    • NCSEA SE3 Publications
    • Monthly DEI Spotlight
    • SE3's Commitment to Racial Justice
  • News
  • Contact Us