Congratulations to Marcia Camarda, PE, LEED AP on winning the 2024 Structural Engineers Association of Metropolitan Washington (SEA-MW) Outstanding Achievement Award! The Outstanding Achievement Award is given in recognition of a structural engineer who has wielded a strong influence on the structural engineering profession during his or her career. On Saturday, February 17, 2024, Marcia was presented with her award by SK&A Managing Principal Scott Stewart, PE, SE during the SEA-MW Awards Gala held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.
Marcia’s professional journey spans an impressive 44 years, the past 40 of which have been at SK&A Structural Engineers, where she started as an entry-level engineer in 1984 and steadily grew in experience and responsibility, ultimately becoming SK&A’s President and Managing Principal in 2009. Under her leadership of the firm, SK&A won over 250 project design awards. Marcia began her transition to retirement in 2022, with her move into the role of Principal Emeritus, focusing on supporting the development of future leaders and representation of SK&A in local and national industry organizations.
Marcia completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame, then earned her Master of Science in Structural Engineering from The George Washington University in 1986. An early advocate for sustainability, Marcia became the first LEED Accredited Professional at the firm in 2006 and contributed to the design of the first LEED Platinum building in the State of Maryland: The Tower Building at Tower Oaks in Rockville. This structure earned recognition for Environmental Excellence, pioneering sustainable building practices even before the fruition of USGBC LEED standards. Additional noteworthy projects of Marcia’s include the Corporate Center at Tysons II; The Ascent and The Adaire at Springhill Station in Tysons Corner; Pike & Rose in North Bethesda; Liberty Center in Arlington; Atlantic Plumbing in Washington, DC; and Symphony Square in Austin.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Marcia’s dedication to her community is truly remarkable. For over 30 years, Marcia has supported STEM efforts at every education level. Through building playgrounds at three schools, teaching Hands-on-Science in elementary schools, volunteering as a math tutor, speaking at various STEM programs, and even launching a high school internship program at SK&A, Marcia has introduced the world of structural engineering to countless young people.
A role model for giving back through industry group involvement, Marcia has served in the SEA MW’s Board of Directors, SE3 Committee, Business Practices Group, and the NCSEA Foundation Diversity in Structural Engineering Scholarship Review Committee. She has also served in the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) DC Chapter Mentorship Program, Professional Development Committee, and Foundation Scholarship Committee.
Marcia, currently residing in Reston, Virginia, has been happily married to her husband Joe for 43 years. Their family includes a pet turtle of 33 years, two sons, a daughter-in-law, and a beloved grandson. Marcia’s favorite pastime is spending quality time with her grandson, but she’s also an avid traveler and enjoys beach activities such as snorkeling and kayaking.
