AUSTIN — Engineering News-Record (ENR) has named WSP vice president Lauren Taylor among the young professionals in its National 2024 Top 20 Under 40 list which represents architectural, engineering and construction sectors across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Taylor serves as Texas Planning and Advisory business leader at WSP, a leading engineering, environment and professional services consultancy. She is based in the firm’s Austin office, leading projects across the region.
“Lauren’s commitment to technical excellence, building diverse teams, and successfully delivering high-profile programs for our clients, demonstrate her invaluable contributions to both WSP and the industry at-large,” said Casey Carlton, senior vice president and Planning and Advisory business leader for the Central U.S. at WSP. “Her involvement and leadership in industry groups and professional organizations highlight her dedication to professional development and continuous improvement for our staff and industry.”
Taylor’s leadership has helped improve the transportation and planning industry and Austin Community, specifically through the Central Texas Association of Environmental Professionals (CTAEP), Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) in Austin and Shoal Creek Conservancy. As president of CTAEP, she has organized major industry events and helped restart the COMTO Austin organization, which grew from less than 10 members to nearly 30 members in the past several years.
“An advocate of diversity and inclusion efforts, Lauren is passionate about helping minority transportation professionals collaborate through organizations such as COMTO,” Carlton said. “She has been a valuable asset to practice operations, team building and client relationships at WSP, and consistently improves company processes and outcomes, as well as her own skills and abilities.”
At WSP, she successfully led San Antonio’s VIA Metropolitan Transit agency through the environmental clearance process for its first Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants New Starts Project Development, which supports VIA’s Keep San Antonio Moving Green Line Advanced Rapid Transit Corridor Project. In addition, Taylor is a key contributor to numerous environmental and planning studies sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and national programs including supporting Chicago’s regional rail system provider Metra in program management of their system.
As the transportation industry’s only representative and vice president of CapMetro’s Public Safety Community Advisory Committee in Austin, Taylor was involved in the selection of the public transportation organization’s first police chief and serves as an expert on transportation safety and planning.
Taylor began her career at a consultancy, where she served as a liaison with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Map Service Center as a floodplain/insurance assistance specialist. She is now recognized as an expert in projects related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the TxDOT NEPA, transportation/corridor planning and geographic information systems in Texas.
Panels of independent industry judges selected up to 20 winners from more than 500 submissions last summer to represent each of the 10 ENR regions, followed by a national team of judges who reviewed the highest scoring candidates from each regional contest to determine the final selection.
The 2024 winners will be recognized March 18-20 at a ceremony during the ENR Emerging Leaders Forum in Chicago.
About WSP in the U.S.
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering, environment and professional services firms. Recognized on Fast Company’s Brands that Matter List for 2022 as a top Community-Minded Business, WSP in the U.S. brings together engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals who are dedicated to collaborate in the best interests of serving local communities. WSP designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With approximately 16,000 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP partners with its clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com
Download press release
