Title: Senior Project Manager
Company: Stanford University
Location: Sunnyvale, California, United States
Karla Traynor Smith, PE, senior project manager at Stanford University, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Engineers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in engineering infrastructure.
With over two decades of experience, Ms. Traynor Smith has established a successful career in engineering and infrastructure, specializing in reservoirs and hydraulics. She currently serves at Stanford University, excelling as a senior project manager since 2021 and a civil engineering project manager since 2006. In this capacity, she is over the construction of academic structures on Stanford campuses. She is currently working on dams and reservoirs for the institution. Her previous roles include civil engineer at Boyle Engineering from 2005 to 2006, water resources engineer at Hunsaker & Associates from 2003 to 2005, and civil engineer transportation group at Earth Tech from 2000 to 2002.
Ms. Traynor Smith holds various memberships, including with the American Society of Civil Engineers, a professional organization that represents civil engineers, providing standards, resources, and advocacy to advance the practice of civil engineering globally, and the Society of Women Engineers, a professional organization dedicated to empowering women in engineering and technology, providing resources, advocacy, and a global network to support their careers and professional growth, in addition to donating her time to Habitat for Humanity. In light of her impressive undertakings, she was honored with the Stormwater Awards by the Clean Water Act, an award that recognizes excellence in stormwater management, honoring innovative projects, programs, and individuals who demonstrate outstanding contributions to the field. Laying a strong educational foundation for her successes, she pursued coursework in mechanical engineering and earned a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary engineering at Boston University in 1998. She is also a licensed professional engineer in the State of California.
Ms. Traynor Smith takes great pride in her career, particularly highlighting her work with Earth Tech, an engineering and environmental consulting firm that provides solutions for infrastructure, water resources, and environmental challenges in San Diego, where she played a key role in a complex channel widening project. Although she was new to the project, she swiftly acquired the necessary technical expertise, taking on responsibilities such as hydraulic and hydrologic modeling. Currently, she oversees consultants who manage the technical aspects of what she considers her dream project.
Ms. Traynor Smith attributes her success to the invaluable guidance she received from her mentors. During her college years, she was fortunate to have a professor who encouraged her to pursue a Bachelor of Science instead of a Bachelor of Arts—a decision she remains grateful for to this day. She also had the privilege of learning from remarkable mentors, who generously shared their technical expertise. In the coming years, she is planning the next phase of her career. She is currently engaged in a complex project, and she aspires to step into the role of project executive, confident in her skills and experience. With the current leadership set to retire within the next few years, she is also reflecting on opportunities for growth and advancement within the company. When advising aspiring professionals, she says that collaboration makes us stronger and that with curiosity, we can achieve greater things.
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