We’re delighted to share that Project Manager Macenzie Smith, PE, SE, has been honored with the Rising Star Award by the Structural Engineers Association of Metropolitan Washington (SEA-MW), presented at this year’s Excellence in Structural Engineering (ESE) Awards Gala. Held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, the annual gala recognizes exceptional achievements by structural engineers and firms across the region.
Macenzie’s recognition as the 2025 Rising Star is a celebration of more than a decade of contributions to our profession—marked by technical excellence, passionate mentorship, and a genuine commitment to service and community outreach.
Macenzie is a dynamic leader, dedicated mentor, and inspiring presence in the structural engineering community. Over the past decade at SK&A Structural Engineers, she has advanced to Project Manager, leaving her mark through innovative design solutions on complex projects across the DC region and beyond. Equally passionate about mentorship and outreach, she engages actively with young engineers and students of all ages. Her unique blend of technical excellence, leadership, and service truly embodies the spirit of a Rising Star.
Macenzie’s project highlights include the award-winning Peachtree Center in Atlanta, where she designed post-tensioned transfer girders for a vertical tower expansion atop an active parking garage. At Storey Park (NoMaCNTR) in DC, her team used a reverse king-post truss to connect the upper floors of a U-shaped structure—a solution she later detailed in STRUCTURE Magazine. Her growing impact was recently recognized with the Penn State Alumni Society of Architectural Engineers Early Career Award.
At SK&A, Macenzie co-leads the firm’s internship program and launched quarterly feedback sessions between junior staff and senior engineers, fostering open communication and professional growth. She also reorganized SK&A’s expansive technical library and has led two lively STEM-themed “Take Your Child to Work Day” events.
Beyond SK&A, Macenzie contributes actively to the SEA-MW community, serving on the Awards Gala, Young Member Group, and Community Outreach Committees. She recently took part in the SE3 SEER Mentorship pilot program and has led hands-on STEM activities for Girl Scouts and mentored Penn State AE students. Her community involvement includes participating in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, organizing a “Thanksgiving in September” food drive, and leading SK&A’s team in the JDRF Real Estate Games to support children with Type 1 diabetes.
Warm, approachable, and always generous with her time, Macenzie is admired by colleagues and clients alike. Her recognition as a Rising Star is a well-deserved milestone—and just the beginning of what we know will be a long-lasting influence on our firm, our profession, and the next generation of engineers.
Congratulations, Macenzie!
