Celebrating Women Engineers at LaBella
In honor of International Women in Engineering Day—a global day of recognition that highlights the achievements of women in engineering and aims to inspire future generations to consider careers in this dynamic and essential field—we asked the inspiring women from LaBella to tell us more about the passion, determination, and purpose that fuels their work.
The LaBellans highlighted below encompass a diverse representation of disciplines, backgrounds, and career stages. We asked one of five questions—ranging from what first sparked their interest in engineering to the advice they’d offer the next generation of women entering the field. Their answers offer a glimpse into not only the work they do but also the impact they’re making, both within LaBella and beyond.
What’s your favorite part of your job or a typical day at work?
Name: Jody Allen, PE
Location: Elmira, New York
Title/Focus Area: Senior Civil Engineer/Septic System Resource Specialist
As LaBella’s Septic System Resource Specialist, I enjoy collaborating with my colleagues across New York, North Carolina, and Tennessee regarding septic system solutions for various-sized projects and challenging site conditions. LaBella is a very professional and supportive company, and I appreciate that my knowledge and expertise are a resource to my colleagues. I still find that I am learning new things from my peers on a regular basis. Working in such a supportive environment is very refreshing.
What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
Name: Kreya Contractor
Location: New York, New York, United States
Title: Junior Energy Engineer
What inspired me to pursue a career in engineering was my deep curiosity about how the world works—especially the systems that power our lives. During high school, I became fascinated with chemistry and energy, particularly how chemical reactions could be harnessed to produce cleaner, more efficient power. That interest led me to study chemical engineering at university, where I developed a strong technical foundation and a passion for sustainable energy solutions. As I learned more about the global energy crisis, climate change, and the need for innovation in how we produce and manage energy, I knew I wanted to be part of that change. That’s what drove me to pursue a master’s degree in energy management. I wanted to not only understand the science and technology behind energy systems but also how to implement and optimize them in real-world settings—balancing sustainability, efficiency, and cost. Now, as a young female energy engineer, I’m driven by the potential to make a tangible impact—whether it’s improving energy access in underserved areas, supporting the transition to renewables, or helping industries reduce their carbon footprint. It’s not just about technology; it’s about shaping a more sustainable future—and I’m proud to be part of that journey.
What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
Name: Lisbeth DaBramo, PE
Location: Glens Falls, New York
Title: Civil Engineer
I’ve always been drawn to water—growing up on a small farm, working as a whitewater raft guide, and studying endocrine disruptors in water during college. But I didn’t originally picture myself as an engineer. That changed when I received a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship to independently explore a self-designed project about water sustainability strategies in Bangladesh, Singapore, Jordan, and Bolivia. I saw firsthand the global challenges communities face and realized that to truly make an impact, I needed more technical expertise. I found myself on a bicycle rickshaw in Bangladesh, on my way to take the GREs, and later enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley for a dual degree in civil/environmental engineering and public policy. I believe meaningful impact happens at the intersection between those two fields. Now, more than eight years into my career and new to LaBella, I’m passionate about supporting local communities and building climate resilience. It’s deeply rewarding to help empower communities through engineering.
How has your role at LaBella helped you grow as an engineer?
Name: Meghan Friedle, EIT
Location: Rochester, New York
Title/Focus Area: Civil Engineer/Athletic Facility Market Leader
My role as the Athletic Facility Market Leader at LaBella has helped me grow immensely as an engineer. The nature of my work demands a deep understanding of design, from regulations to materials, site planning, and athletic standards. Mastering these aspects has been key to earning trust and credibility, both with clients and project teams. When you’re truly knowledgeable in your subject matter, it levels the playing field. What’s driven me most is the passion for creating spaces that bring people together, for solving complex design challenges, and for seeing projects come to life from the ground up. Engineering gives you the tools, but it’s the enthusiasm and curiosity you bring to the work that sets you apart. This role has shown me that clients and collaborators respond to confidence, clarity, and commitment. I’ve been able to shape and mold my career to what fits best with my personality and skills. When you lead with knowledge and purpose, those around you respond with positivity. What matters most is showing up prepared, engaged, and ready to build something meaningful.
What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
Name: Raquel Garcia
Location: Madrid, Spain
Title/Focus Area: Civil & Electromechanical Engineer/Power Division
I liked the subjects of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and technical drawing.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in engineering?
Name: Tumi Mabaso, EI
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Title: Civil Engineer
Never downplay yourself—get comfortable with occupying a leadership role as the only young woman in a room of men. And don’t use minimizing language in your emails. Downplaying and minimizing may feel like etiquette but are actually a disservice to yourself in the professional world.
How has your role at LaBella helped you grow as an engineer?
Name: Sue Matzat, PE
Location: Rochester, New York
Title/Focus Area: Senior Vice President of Operations (formerly Senior Structural Engineer)
My role as a structural engineer at LaBella allowed me to be involved in projects from the business development stage through completion of construction. I was able to complete single-discipline structural and multi-discipline projects in many market and infrastructure areas. This diversity provided me with a great depth of experience in the design and detailing of bridges, heavy civil structures, and buildings.
What’s your favorite part of your job or a typical day at work?
Name: Emma Patterson
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Title/Focus Area: Civil Designer/Landscape Engineering
In my off time, I enjoy a good jigsaw (or any other) puzzle. I love how my day-to-day work in civil engineering feels like a giant puzzle. Now that I’m two years into my career, I know what each piece should be. All that’s left is to figure out how everything fits together, which is different for every single project! I also really love that I can usually just plug in my headphones and listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, video essays, or anything else while I do my work. My brain and my hands are in motion all day, and I leave work feeling satisfied. Going in, I wasn’t sure whether I really wanted to be an engineer; I stumbled into this choice of major almost by chance. Turns out, it’s not all just solving math problems or balancing chemistry equations!
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in engineering?
Name: Lauren Paulsen
Location: Albany, New York
Title: Civil Engineer
If you’re a woman thinking about a career in engineering, my biggest piece of advice is this: find your people. For me, joining LaBella and connecting with mentors and role models changed everything. It didn’t just help me grow professionally—it made me feel seen, supported, and genuinely happy in my work.
What’s your favorite part of your job or a typical day at work?
Name: Rebecca Sheely-King, PE, SE
Location: Albany, New York
Title: Structural Engineer
I enjoy problem-solving when uncommon conditions arise, such as connecting to historic buildings, making unique architectural ideas a reality, and solving specific client needs. Thinking outside of the box keeps my job interesting.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in engineering?
Name: Jennifer Vaughn, EIT
Location: Elmira, New York
Title: Civil Engineer
If you are considering a role in engineering, I would encourage you to reach out to an engineer to learn more about what they do and what excites them about their contributions. Engineering is a broad field with opportunities for people with a wide range of interests and skills—join us!
How has your role at LaBella helped you grow as an engineer?
Name: Caroline Wheadon, EIT
Location: Rochester, New York
Title: Dams & Hydropower Discipline Leader
As a manager, I get to help shape and influence others’ careers. As the Dams & Hydropower group has grown, so have our service offerings. By guiding and mentoring others, I’ve been able to expand my own engineering knowledge and understanding. As a manager, I learn new and different concepts through our collective design and project management work. It’s a mutually beneficial process; the more I learn from the engineers doing the work, the better I can manage the team and grow the business.
