Despite the long and storied history of design and construction in the region, top young professionals prove that there’s always room to create a new chapter. This year’s selection of standout talent under the age of 40 is driving the industry forward with fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and cutting-edge technology. The group also highlights continued diversity seen within the top ranks of major firms. Nearly half of the young professionals are women, and many also are people of color. As industry struggles to find enough qualified professionals to meet current demand, this year's group interested in pursuing careers in design and construction is a positive trend toward long-term stability. They are not only treading their own path to shape the future of the industry, they also are helping to recruit and mentor its next generation of talent, through efforts within their own workplaces and in volunteer efforts in industry organizations.

The Top Young Professionals program recognizes individuals who are leaders in the industry and in their communities as well. They have built extraordinary industry portfolios in just a few short years. In addition, many donate significant time and expertise to serve those communities. Each recipient works in either New York or New Jersey.

After nearly 80 entries were received for this year’s competition, judges narrowed submissions to 20 winners. Candidates cannot be named to the list more than once, but those who have never been selected can submit again.

This year’s judges included: Chris Fletcher, senior project director at McCarthy Building Cos. and a member of the group selected for ENR’s 2022 national Top 20 Under 40; Atul Paralkar, director of business intelligence at JRM Construction Management and a member of ENR’s 2021 national Top 20 Under 40 group; and Srivatsan Raghavan, chief information officer at OHLA USA. ENR appreciates their time and effort.

Read on to learn more about the young professionals who are shaping the future of the region.

Ryan Andrew
Made his mark on megaprojects, gives back to those in need
36, Vice President
AECOM Tishman
New York City

Andrew has worked on big projects since the beginning of his 14-year career, starting out on a $2.4-billion hotel and casino project in Atlantic City, N.J. While he has worked on a variety of mixed-use projects in the tristate area, Andrew made his mark in the management and execution of megaprojects, including the construction and build-out of 35 Hudson Yards and the $1.3-billion redevelopment of the historic 47-story Waldorf Astoria. He has also led complex projects such as Hudson Lights, an 830,000-sq-ft two-building mixed-use tower in Fort Lee, N.J. Andrew, who is extremely family oriented, attributes much of his success to how he was raised. He also prides himself on having a solid foundation of core values. He has extensive involvement in the community and frequently extends himself to others in need. He has been a volunteer high school assistant football coach; he is an active participant with the Boy Scouts of America organization; and he makes numerous donations to organizations such as the Movember Foundation, the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and local food and clothing drives.

Aakash Badjatya
Built towers in India while developing a talented team in the region
38, Senior Associate
LERA Consulting Structural Engineers
New York City

During his decade at LERA, Badjatya has quickly risen up the ranks, serving as the lead project manager for many of firm’s high-profile projects around the world. Beyond numerous projects in the U.S., some of his most notable completed projects include four 60-story towers for Oberoi Realty in Mumbai, India. Badjatya helped grow and develop LERA’s Mumbai office to ensure a seamless workflow on its U.S. projects. He built a team of managers and engineers in Mumbai who are not only able to solve engineering challenges but are also skilled at interacting with clients and contractors both in India and the U.S. Badjatya has been involved with ACEC New York for many years and is currently a member of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Committee. He is also a part of the Architect Registration Examination Instructor Group within LERA, having tutored many architects successfully for the structural portion of the licensure exam.

Lea Cosenza
Tapped to lead New York City office, she quickly got projects on track
38, Client Executive
IMEG
New York City

Three years after joining the Harman Group, the firm merged with IMEG in 2022. Cosenza was asked to become director of the New York office. She accepted the role and was simultaneously tasked with restaffing two large-scale projects already underway. “Lea had a plan within three days as to who could restaff the projects and complete the designs on time,” says her former supervisor, Jan Vacca. In her current role, she is responsible for meeting goals on New York and New Jersey projects, guiding the structural design process and coordinating with other design disciplines. She also manages ongoing client relationships and develops new clientele. As she took on her new role, Cosenza—a mother of three young daughters—started working toward her MBA from Villanova. She volunteers with the Girl Scouts, coaches girls basketball and lacrosse and participates in several 5K fundraisers. She is also involved in several community organizations and events, include Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Blessing Bag Campaign for the Salvation Army Shelter in Philadelphia and Today is a Good Day.

Michelle DeCarlo
Firm’s first female associate partner advocates for women in engineering
38, Associate Partner
Jaros, Baum & Bolles
New York City

After 15 years at Jaros, Baum & Bolles, DeCarlo was named the firm’s first female associate partner in 2022. Her career arc encompasses a broad spectrum of building types and market sectors, including commercial office buildings, laboratories and transportation facilities. She was HVAC project manager for 30 Hudson Yards, project manager on the Moynihan Train Hall project and HVAC lead on 555 Greenwich Street, one of the city’s first all-electric buildings. DeCarlo leads the firm’s internal commercial office practice as well as its newly launched aviation group, and is currently working on the New Terminal One at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. In 2015, she spearheaded the development of a parental leave policy for the firm, and three years later formed the women’s initiative, an employee resource group with a mission to position women as leaders inside and outside of the firm. DeCarlo also chaired the Women in ASHRAE subcommittee for four years. With CREW New York, she served as programs chair for two years, as membership committee vice chair and was the 2022-2023 New York Chapter delegate, attending three global summits over each year and representing New York City on a global scale.

Brian Derr
Mentors young engineers at work, fosters children at home
38, Section Head - Special Projects
JMT Inc.
Trenton, N.J.

Recently promoted to lead the firm’s special projects section in Trenton, Derr oversees all JMT’s large multidisciplinary projects in New Jersey. He is responsible for the financial health and success of his project portfolio, currently totaling 18 projects, including four for NJDOT. Derr manages jobs ranging from small county bridges to large interchange projects for NJDOT. Additionally, he oversees the strategic direction of the group as well as hiring and staffing. Derr has participated in JMT's mentoring program, helping to develop young engineers. From 2017-2020, he was a board member and vice president of the East Penn chapter of ASHE. In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, Derr joined a group from his alma mater, New Jersey Institute of Technology, that volunteered to serve affected communities. A father of two, Derr and his wife serve as foster parents and recently fostered a newborn baby until his adoption at nine months.

Dane Evans
Third-generation leader of family firm plays key strategic role
36, President
Skoda Contracting Co.
Flanders, N.J.

As president of Skoda Contracting Co., Evans represents the third generation of family to lead the firm. At 36, he has made a meaningful impact on the 50-plus-year-old company’s development with regard to corporate strategy, business development, hiring, purchasing, construction operations and employee development. He first developed the company’s milling and paving business with WBE partner Atlantic Infrastructure. He next built, oversaw and managed the firm’s Washington, D.C., division. He also spearheaded Skoda’s recent acquisition of Cranford Gas Light. Recently, Evans started Skoda’s employee development program to help grow the next generation of leadership at the company. Evans carries on the company’s tradition of sponsoring major charities throughout the MidAtlantic. He recently sponsored charitable events for the Semper Fi Foundation, SJI PAC, ABBE, Light the Night (Leukemia and Lymphoma in Children) and the Children’s Specialized Hospital of N.J.

Anne Gergen
Created firm’s employee resource group for women
27, Associate Director of Preconstruction
Monadnock Construction
New York City

At 27, Gergen oversees all preconstruction and estimating activities for Monadnock Construction, supervising a team of five. Activities she oversees include estimating, value engineering, design review and preconstruction scheduling. She graduated from Columbia University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with concentrations in both construction management and structural engineering. She was placed on the dean’s list and served as a project manager for Engineers Without Borders. Gergen recently conceived, created and fostered a company-wide employee resource group for women. The group promotes opportunities for professional development, enables growth and connects women across the company. Activities include manufacturer and site tours along with educational and social events.

David Hines
Former survey technician now oversees offices from Maine to Florida
38, Vice President of Operations
Control Point Associates Inc.
Warren, N.J.

After joining Control Point Associates more than a decade ago, Hines steadily rose through the ranks from survey technician to project manager to leadership of the firm’s Chalfont, Pa., branch. Under his guidance, the branch expanded its client base and achieved record profitability. In 2021, he was named vice president of operations. In his role, Hines oversees the operations of all of the firm’s 12 branches, spanning from Maine to Florida. His expertise extends to scoping office spaces, managing acquisitions and serving as a go-to person for operational procedures. Recently, he played a pivotal role in the successful acquisitions of Brooks and Brooks Land Surveying in Highland, N.Y., and McLaughlin Engineering Co. in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., working closely on both projects. Hines has also participated in corporate fundraising efforts for various organizations and causes, including the March of Dimes, Alzheimer’s awareness, breast cancer research and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Sadia Janjua
Aims to improve agency processes while driving industry innovation
40, Chief of Digital Transformation
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
New York City

Janjua has been a leader at the PANYNJ in developing strategic direction and growth strategies for project controls, virtual design and construction and digital transformation. In her role, she aims to improve company processes and outcomes while contributing to overall industry improvement. Prior to joining PANYNJ, she earned experience in both the public and private sectors with firms such as Bechtel, McCarthy Building Cos., STV, New York MTA and AECOM. She is also an adjunct professor at Columbia University and Pratt Institute, where she helps develop the next generation of industry professionals. Janjua is a leader in the STEAMplant initiative, which aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration between the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields and the arts.

KiSeok Jeon
Established his firm’s digital advisory practice
39, Vice President, Digital Advisory Lead
STV
New York City

Joen built a digital advisory practice from the ground up at STV that has had an impact across all of the firm’s operating groups. Jeon oversees a team of 24 that provides a range of services and skills to clients and the broader STV team, including consulting, architectural and engineering technology, product solutions and development and data science. He was a member of STV’s strategic planning committee, which issued the 2023-25 plan, and he is the co-chair and a founding member of the organization’s technology committee, which coordinates with various STV groups to update internal processes and best practices. Outside of work, Jeon is an associate professor at Columbia University’s School of Engineering, providing both mentorship and guidance for best practices within the digital technology sphere. Separate from STV, Jeon owns and operates a start-up company that focuses on 3D publication solutions for the general public. “[The public] has difficulties understanding mapping with 3D data or are unfamiliar with 3D environments, so this allows me to provide some solutions that are accessible to nonengineers,” he says.

Anthony Manganiello
Manages complex projects, explores how tech can improve industry
39, Senior Construction Manager
Hines
New York City

Manganiello has completed complex projects for such clients as the NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection, New York State DOT, MTA Long Island Railroad, Port Authority of NY & NJ and major private developers. He participates in the Society for Construction Solutions, a chapter-based construction and real estate technology group exploring ways to improve the industry. He has also worked with the Regional Alliance to locate opportunities and foster mentorship and partnerships for MWBE companies. He has also lectured at Columbia University’s master in construction management courses in support of the Global Leaders in Construction Management program.

Michael Meloni
Project director rises from mentee to mentor
36, Associate/Project Manager III
STV
New York City

Introduced to STV through its mentorship program at Manhattan College, Meloni is now project director for the Terminal A redevelopment at Newark Liberty International Airport—the largest design-build infrastructure project in New Jersey history. Every year, he returns to his alma maters to share his experience as an engineer and encourage others to consider STEM career paths. He has also been a mentor for the ACE Mentorship Program, the STV Chapter Director for Explorer Scouts program and the STV Manhattan College alumni mentor program. He also serves as vice president of the Astoria Civic Association and is a member of the local Kiwanis Club.

Jessica O’Donnell
Voice for young architects helps shape AIA strategic plans
36, Architect
Urban Practice
Camden, N.J.

In 2019, O’Donnell was appointed to the national AIA Strategic Planning Committee to represent young architects. Her voice within the committee contributed to AIA’s 2021-2025 AIA Strategic Plan. As chair of the AIA Young Architects Forum in 2022, she chaired a steering committee that created the quinquennial celebration event. Under her leadership, the group conceptualized “Mission 2130,” a national event that challenged attendees to think big and embrace a futuristic approach to what the world could look like in 100 years. As a subcommittee coordinator for the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, she helped develop architectural registration exam content.

Blair Pan
Project manager creates support groups for women in construction
34, Senior Project Manager
AECOM Tishman
New York City

Pan manages various structural trades and works directly with AECOM Tishman project executives in managing projects through all phases of construction. Her most recent New York projects include One Madison Avenue, 3 Hudson Boulevard and 30 Hudson Yards, where she created cash flow projections that tracked more than 600 cost items for 50 subcontractors totaling more than $2 billion over five years. In 2019, she formed an internal women’s group within AECOM Construction Management that has hosted more than 50 events, including networking opportunities and professional development panels. She was recognized among the 40 Outstanding Women in Construction Under 40 by Professional Women in Construction in 2020. She also received the next generation of women builders’ award from the Women Builders Council in 2021.

Victoria Ponce de Leon
Helped establish best practices for design-build at her firm
39, Principal
Silman, a TYLin Co.
New York City

A principal since 2017, Ponce de Leon has worked on more than 260 projects—many of which she led—in renovation, adaptive reuse and new construction for clients in the K-12, higher education, private residential, hospitality and cultural sectors. She helped organize a project management series for the company in 2019 and was appointed one of two portfolio managers in 2022, focusing on helping drive project delivery excellence throughout the building sector. She also helped establish best practices for design-build projects in the Northeast and is the point person for business development for New York City Public Agency work. She has been a lecturer for the Yale University School of Architecture graduate school for nine years.

Dena Prastos
Founded firm that is focused on waterfront architecture and resiliency
37, President
Indigo River Architecture & Engineering PC
Nyack, N.Y.

Prastos is founder of Indigo River, a women-owned transdisciplinary design firm focused on progressive waterfront architecture, resiliency and climate adaptation. Notable projects include East Side Coastal Resiliency in Manhattan, Yankee/Lima and Tango Piers on Governor’s Island, River Ring in Williamsburg and the Harlem River Greenway in East Harlem. She serves on the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Future Collaborative. In 2021, she joined the AIA Resilience and Adaptation Advisory Group, and in 2022, she joined AIA’s YAF Summit 30: Mission 2130. Prastos formed a workforce development training school for waterfront and offshore wind companies and workers. The school runs an MWBE training program with New York City called OSW Waterfront Pathways and has completed its first cohort of training for 17 firms.

Delia Riggi
Supports young talent and makes her mark on big projects
33, Project Manager
HNTB Corp.
New York City

During her 11 years gaining construction, owner’s representative and program management experience, Riggi has led teams and tracked design and project activities on multiple projects with program budgets more than $1 billion each. Her responsibilities include driving contracts, leading design teams, tracking and reporting progress, estimating, cost tracking and forecasting, scheduling and document control. She is a former co-chair of the New York Building Congress young professional’s committee and a current member of Professional Women in Construction and the Construction Management Association of America. Riggi was recently appointed to the Lehigh University Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering Advisory Board.

Mike Soriano
Former intern recruiter now supports co-worker career development
31, Civil/Highway Engineer
HDR
New York City

Since joining HDR in 2014, Soriano has worked on multiple megaprojects, including the $3.8-billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia—the largest infrastructure project in the state’s history. He has played a key role in intern recruitment and has mentored staff members to take over those duties. Currently serving as the deputy highway section lead in New York, he supports the career development of more than 20 colleagues. Outside of HDR, Soriano is an officer of the ASCE Met Chapter Infrastructure Group, where he serves as webmaster and vice chair, supporting the member outreach for awards, news, events and registrations. Last year, he was responsible for arranging the 2023 infrastructure group seminar focused on climate resiliency.

Brian Troast
Pursued career in engineering after Sept. 11 terrorist attacks
39, First Vice President
AECOM Tishman
New York City

As a senior in high school in 2001, Troast watched the World Trade Center collapse on Sept. 11, 2001. That tragedy drove his decision to study engineering. Five years later, he was hired as a project engineer for Tishman Construction at One World Trade Center. During his time at 1WTC, Troast was promoted three times, eventually being named senior project manager. Following delivery of the structure, he was promoted to project director at One Vanderbilt, where he was responsible for preconstruction efforts and project planning for the 1,400-ft tower in midtown Manhattan. After three years at One Vanderbilt, Troast was selected for an international assignment in London, where he led the efforts to build a team in a new strategic market for AECOM Tishman. Upon his return to New York in 2019, he was promoted to first vice president and tasked with completing the historic renovation of 550 Madison.

Anthony Weber
Volunteered to help those affected by Superstrom Sandy
39, Director of Operations/Associate Vice President
LiRo Engineers Inc.
Mineola, N.Y.

Since joining LiRo in 2007, Weber has gained diverse expertise, including planning and design of highway improvements and roadway reconstruction, site development design, drainage design, surveying, utility coordination, geotechnical engineering, traffic engineering and structural engineering. His tasks on projects can consist of performing investigations/inspections, completing calculations, analyses and designs, preparing reports, drafting, development of construction documents, estimating, permitting, assisting in the bidding process and providing construction support. He also provides mentorship, technical oversight and management to LiRo’s civil and structural engineering department. He worked on the reconstruction of the city of Long Beach’s boardwalk, which sustained severe damage during Superstorm Sandy. He was also involved in the NYCDDC Build-It-Back program, which assisted recovery efforts for homes damaged by Superstorm Sandy.