Every young girl deserves to know that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to, including becoming an engineer. While the world of engineering has often been male dominated, women are showing that they too can dream big and build the future. From designing innovative Public Training Facilities to creating efficient programs and dashboards, the opportunities for women in engineering are endless.
The City of Sugar Land is honored to have a team of dedicated, trailblazing women engineers who are shaping the future of our community. Through their hard work, they not only directly contribute to the growth and enhancement of Sugar Land but also inspire the next generation of young girls to dream big and pursue careers in engineering.
Meet Jessie Li, Sugar Land’s Executive Director and City Engineer with a Doctorate in Civil Engineering. From a childhood photo of her holding her favorite teddy bear to leading a team of Engineers that are responsible for developing and maintaining various critical infrastructures for the city. Jessie was recently tasked with leading the All in initiative – Boosting Community Reputation. This project highlights innovations that enhance the city’s strategic value, with every employee contributing to excellence.
Jessie said “younger me would be in awe of where I am today. I never thought I would make it this far from my hometown in China.” Today, she’s a role model for young women in engineering. Her advice to future engineers, “Be innovative and build and nurture a strong professional network for support.”
Meet Paola De La Torre, a Project Manager II with a passion for engineering and a drive to make a real impact in her community. In her childhood photo, Paola’s driving her 90s pink Barbie Corvette power wheels. Today, Paola manages complex infrastructure projects, including a 15,800-foot water line installation that ensures reliable water service for Sugar Land residents.
Looking back, Paola’s younger self would be amazed by her journey, she may not have predicted the shift from geology to engineering project management, but she would certainly be proud of the adaptability and management skills developed along the way. Her advice to future women engineers is simple but powerful: “Trust yourself and believe in your abilities. Engineering can be tough, but so are you! Don’t be afraid to take on challenges that push you out of your comfort zone.”
Melanie Beaman, Sugar Land’s Transportation & Mobility Manager, grew up in Austin, Texas. As a child, Melanie had a unique commute of her own – riding her trike up the gravel driveway to the “work tree,” following her dad as he drove off to work. Melanie recalls, “I realized at a young age that mobility is a daily concern and impacts people in different ways.”
Today, Melanie leads innovative projects like the pilot project, Sugar Land On-Demand Microtransit service, the first of its kind in the Texas Gulf Coast region. Seeing the limitations of traditional transportation systems, Melanie worked for many years to see this dream come true. Her goal is to eliminate barriers to mobility, ensuring everyone in Sugar Land can easily access vital services, regardless of whether they drive or not.
Reflecting on her journey, Melanie said, “I think my younger self would think what I do is neat and would want to know all about it! Helping people in the community where you live is an important thing to teach youngsters.” To future women engineers, Melanie’s advice is clear, “just do it! There is a huge need for planners and engineers, and women bring a set of different experiences and priorities to the field. I am currently working on a master’s degree of Civil Engineering in Sustainable Transportation, so that I can bring a level of expertise to our team! Never stop learning and networking with others in the field!”
Meet Carla Barrios, serving the City of Sugar Land as an Engineer/Project Manager. From a childhood filled with adventure to managing the design of the Memorial Park Splashpad, she’s passionate about creating spaces that will have a lasting impact in Sugar Land.
Though her younger self may have dreamed of becoming a professional dancer, she’s immensely proud of her journey to becoming a Civil Engineer and fulfilling her parents’ dreams of a better life. Carla’s advice to future women engineers is to, “fully embrace your unique perspective and voice. Know that your contributions and ideas are valuable so do not shy away from speaking up, from challenging the process, and most importantly, never stop learning. While being a minority in this field can sometimes feel isolated, remember that you are a trailBLAZEr, creating a ripple effect that will inspire generations to come.”
Meet Yousra Al-Almuotawali, Sugar Land’s Traffic Engineer II . From a young age, Yousra knew she wanted to become a civil engineer, and today, she’s living that dream. One of her recent projects is the conversion of the Dairy Ashford and Julie Rivers intersection into a signalized intersection, a crucial initiative designed to reduce high-severity crashes and improve overall traffic safety.
Looking back, she reflects with pride on her journey. Her younger self, having dreamed of a career in civil engineering since middle school, would be thrilled to see her working on real projects that enhance safety and mobility in the community.
Her advice to future women engineers is simple but powerful: “Believe in your skills, speak up with confidence, and never hesitate to take on challenges. Engineering needs diverse perspectives—your ideas matter!”
Meet Hong Ky, a dedicated administrative professional supporting the Engineering Department. In her role, Hong helps enhance communication and improve efficiency, empowering the engineering team to focus on their core tasks and achieve their goals more effectively.
Hong may not have anticipated how her path would intersect with the engineering world, but today, she has a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed in this field. Supporting engineering professionals has broadened her perspective, showing her that engineering is not just about technical expertise but also about collaboration, problem-solving, and communication.
One key lesson Hong has learned is the importance of effort in achieving a fulfilling career and life. “While luck can help me to some extent, the majority of my success depends on my daily commitment and my capacity to learn from errors.” Through her work, she has contributed to the engineering team’s success, supporting them in ways that help them excel and reach their goals.
Meet Blanca Kennedy, a Capital Improvement Project Coordinator in Sugar Land’s Engineering Department, that plays a key role in ensuring projects stay on track financially. In her role, she ensures that project funds are monitored carefully to avoid overspending, which includes disputing invoice concerns, to maintain project accountability. As she puts it, “My work helps to keep projects on schedule and within budget.”
Blanca’s son is a Chemical Engineer, so she isn’t a stranger to the engineering field. However, working closely with the team of city engineers has shown her just how critical their work is to the community. Blanca said, “I now see how essential it is to ensure the necessary funding is secured for preliminary studies, design phases, and construction for every project.”
To learn more about the projects these incredible women engineers are handling, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/242/Capital-Improvement-Projects .