American Institute of Steel Construction Director of Workforce Development Jennifer Traut-Todaro, SE, LEED AP, is now also serving as the president of the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI).
“I'm very excited for this year as we bring together members, new and old, to invigorate the Illinois structural engineering community,” Traut-Todaro said. “2024 poses some unique challenges. Remote or hybrid work models mean that fewer engineers are in the city on any given day, which makes it more difficult to gather in person--but at the same time, virtual collaborations open the door to engineers throughout all of Illinois, without focusing on Chicago.
We are encouraging members across the state to be intentional with their time and get involved in the community with a series of engagement challenges throughout the year. July’s challenge encourages engineers to join a committee. It’s a great first step to getting involved and making valuable professional connections.”
Traut-Todaro is particularly proud of co-founding (with Christine Freisinger of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates) the Women in Structural Engineering committee. Since its inception in 2010, the WiSE program has provided vital support for SEAOI’s members. It is now one of the organization’s most engaged committees, connecting female engineers with mentors, valuable contacts, and other resources.
She has served on the Executive Committee since 2021, first as secretary and then as treasurer, and has also co-chaired the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion ad-hoc committee. She is the fourth female president of SEAOI in the organization’s 59-year history, following in the footsteps of former AISC Director of Education Nancy Gavlin, who was the first.
Traut-Todaro holds a Bachelor of Science in architectural studies and a Master of Architecture in structures, both from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She has been a member of SEAOI since 2006.