Meet our Women in Tunneling
Our women in tunneling are carving out remarkable careers. From engineering to project management, their expertise and leadership are outstanding examples of technical excellence. Read on to meet three extraordinary women in tunneling from our Water business line and stay tuned to learn more about their career journeys, challenges and triumphs.
Kate Mignone, Associate Vice President, Water Resources Market Sector Lead for New England in the U.S., has been with AECOM for 19 years. Kate began her tunneling career as the modeling task lead for the South Hartford tunnel — a 21-foot-wide tunnel in Connecticut — where she was involved in all aspects of the tunnel design, from sizing of the tunnel to draft shaft structures and coordination with the civil and conveyance designers. From there, she went on to manage two other tunnel projects, including the design build for the Pawtucket tunnel — a 30-foot-wide combined sewer overflow tunnel in Rhode Island. Kate also focuses on strategic client growth opportunities.
I love projects that make me think and stretch myself. Every day is something different and a new challenge. I also know that the work I am doing is benefitting people and local communities. I always say that I didn’t go into my career choosing to tunnel, tunnelling found me.
Katie Scancarello, Senior Geotechnical Engineer, Water, in U.S. East, has been with AECOM for 14 years. As a geotechnical engineer in Rhode Island, Katie manages the evaluation of underground conditions to provide design recommendations for building and bridge foundations, dams, tunnels, slopes, underground utilities, and retaining walls. Most recently, she was the project geotechnical engineer on the Pawtucket tunnel design in Rhode Island where she assisted in field exploration activities, like lab sample selection and testing, as well as data analysis and preparing geotechnical design memos.
Early in my career I was on a team led by two competent, confident women and their example showed me that I don’t need to be timid when sharing my recommendations and expertise. Since then, I have had male and female mentors who I can ask for advice, whether it’s technical or personal.
Amanda Foote, Project Engineer, Water, in U.S. West, and has been with AECOM for 13 years. She works on various tunnel projects in Ohio and around the Midwest U.S. and has served as an engineer for the City of Akron Ohio Canal Interceptor tunnel project, project engineer for the Dugway South Relief and Consolidation Sewer project, the Doan Valley Relief and Consolidation Sewer project, and the Kingsbury Run Culvert Repair projects. Most recently, she was design engineer and deputy project manager for the City of Akron Northside Interceptor tunnel project.
The best part of my job is seeing the full evolution of the projects I am working on. I have seen several projects through from design to bidding to construction, and even walked inside a tunnel I helped design to perform the final inspection. My advice for other women in technical careers is don’t be afraid to get dirty. Ask questions. Ask for what you want. If there is something you want to get involved in or see, ask.
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