She Builds the Future: Women Engineers Leading Projects Across the Nation
In honor of National Women in Engineering Day, we are celebrating the incredible work of CobbFendley’s women engineers who are making an impact across the country.
From flood mitigation to utility coordination and sustainable design, these engineers are leading critical infrastructure projects that protect communities and improve everyday life. They bring smarts, creativity, and care to every project, making a real difference along the way. Explore their impact below, and check out the interactive map to see where she builds.
To further celebrate women in engineering, we are highlighting Southwinds Subdivision, a project that stands out not just for its impact on the community, but for the team that brought it to life. What made Southwinds unique was that it was led by four women engineers from CobbFendley, along with a woman project manager on the contractor’s side during construction. This collaboration of women in leadership roles, both in the office and in the field, made Southwinds a milestone project for our team and a meaningful example of women shaping the future of engineering.
For Gretchen Hollas, the Southwinds project has been part of her professional journey since 2017. She began as the Design Engineer for the first three sections, later transitioning to Project Manager for the final two sections in 2021. In addition to managing the project, Gretchen also served as the District Engineer for Chambers MUD 1, overseeing the platting of all five sections. What stands out most to her is the teamwork required to navigate coordination between the City, County, and MUD as the development changed ownership. “We persevered,” she reflects, “and ultimately the city decided not to annex the tract.”
For Ivonne Noria, joining CobbFendley as a new graduate in 2019, Southwinds was one of her first major projects. As part of the design team for Sections 3, 4, and 5, she worked on grading, utility layout, and plan production, while also supporting construction management efforts. The experience shaped her early career and fueled her growth from entry-level designer to mentor. “I took initiative to learn our standards thoroughly, asked questions to understand the ‘why’ behind our methods, and eventually mentored interns and newer team members,” Ivonne said. “It was especially meaningful to learn from the strong women leaders in our group, whose mentorship laid the foundation for the projects I lead today.”
LeAnne Tooley brought a unique perspective to the project by contributing both in the field and in the office. Starting as an Inspector on the Construction Management team, she served as the primary inspector for Sections 1 and 2, performing daily inspections and supporting project administration. Later, she transitioned to the Development team and helped design Sections 3 and 4. “. It was a really neat experience to be in the field and to watch the first phase of this project be constructed and then have the opportunity to go into the office and help design the final sections,” she shared.
Iraida Tang played a leading role in designing Sections 2 through 5, while also contributing to construction management throughout each phase, ensuring the project maintained its high standards from start to finish.
This development brought much-needed housing to an area of Baytown that lacked affordable living options near the ports and industrial plants. By providing accessible housing in a key location, Southwinds helped support the local workforce and spurred additional community investment. Since its completion, new elementary and middle schools have been proposed adjacent to the site, along with a Chambers County Community Center featuring ball fields, demonstrating the project’s role in encouraging broader growth and development in the area. This project also marked the first time in Gretchen’s 11-year career that she collaborated with a female project manager on the contractor’s side.
‘Where She Builds’ is our celebration of the talented women engineers at CobbFendley. Professionals who are spearheading critical projects nationwide while shattering stereotypes and redefining what leadership in engineering looks like. Read more about these impactful projects below.
At CobbFendley, women engineers are leading projects that protect communities and respect nature. One engineer played a key role in a flood mitigation project in Tomball, Texas, coordinating utility relocations through both design and construction phases.
Paula managed over 600 utilities and worked with 20+ utility owners to resolve conflicts and ensure smooth progress. The project involved building new detention basins and widening channels to reduce flooding risks for Tomball residents.
A unique challenge? Protecting a mom and baby eagle nesting near the site. No disruptive work was done within 200 meters of the nests during the nesting season, showing the team’s commitment to environmental care alongside engineering excellence.
Jennifer is shaping stronger, more resilient communities through smart, sustainable design. This was demonstrated through a detention pond rehabilitation project in a Baytown, Texas neighborhood where erosion threatened stormwater storage and neighborhood walking trails.
Jennifer managed the installation of 7,200 feet of vinyl bulkhead to stabilize the pond banks and oversaw adjustments to 14 storm sewer culverts to improve drainage. She also worked closely with the homeowner’s association and irrigation company to coordinate construction and minimize disruptions.
A unique challenge? Local alligators frequently swam into the ponds from nearby channels, requiring extra attention to timing and safety.
Amber is helping lead the way in sustainable water use. Amber serves as District Engineer for Southern Montgomery County MUD. This project provided an alternative water source for the District, which reduced the amount of water being pumped from the Evangeline and Jasper aquifers. The type 1 reuse water was sold to customers for yard irrigation and fire protection systems. The District was an early adopter of reuse water in the Houston area. The design included repurposing old concrete basins for ground storage and filter effluent, which was a huge cost savings.
A proud moment? The project earned recognition from AWBD for its innovation and impact.
At CobbFendley, we believe that representation matters, and that when women lead, communities thrive.
As we continue to build communities across the nation, we remain committed to supporting, empowering, and celebrating the women who are helping pave the way for the next generation of engineers. Happy Women in Engineering Day!