News & Insights
Women leaders share career insights during Salas O’Brien virtual panel
Attendees gained practical advice on topics ranging from career growth and work-life balance to skills needed to build a career of the future.
On August 28, 2025, Salas O’Brien hosted “Engineering Your Future: A Conversation with Women Leaders,” a powerful virtual panel designed to inspire women beginning careers in engineering. In a field long dominated by men, this event celebrated women’s voices, shared real-world success stories, and encouraged engineers to see themselves thriving in the industry.
Four dynamic women from Salas O’Brien, representing diverse disciplines and career stages, shared their personal journeys and professional insights:
- Deirdre McDaniel, Senior Managing Principal
- Lauren Wallace, Principal, Director of Sustainability
- JP Penton, Project Engineer
- Esra Eisa, Mechanical Engineer
More than 280 attendees dialed in from across North America to join the conversation, including students and early professionals starting their career journey, seasoned industry experts, and current Salas O’Brien team members. Watch the recording (59:49).
Conversation highlights
The panelists shared authentic stories and actionable advice addressing four key topics, based on attendee interest:
Breaking into your first role.
“Anyone can learn anything on the job. What really matters when you’re starting out is bringing your passion, drive, and curiosity. Networking—whether online or in person—is also critical. If you really want to be in an industry, talk about it, connect with people, and show that you care.”
Esra Eisa
Growing your career.
“You have to be your own advocate. People want you, they want your skill set, your teamwork. Almost every firm will give you what you need if they know—so don’t be afraid to be honest about what you’re looking for.”
Deirdre McDaniel
Navigating identity, confidence, and balance.
“I always ask for grace from my team. We’ll try something new, and if it doesn’t work, we go back to the drawing table. Where we were ten years ago versus today is wildly different, and much of that progress comes from people bringing fresh ideas and having the grace to keep adapting together.”
Lauren Wallace
Future-proofing your career.
“Never stop learning. I didn’t major in electrical engineering, but now I’m working toward my PE in it. Sharing knowledge—whether it’s teaching shortcuts in a design program or leading a lunch-and-learn—is one of the best ways to adapt to new technology and future-proof your career.”
JP Penton
Interested in a career at Salas O’Brien? Visit our careers page to learn more and apply for an open position.
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