Breaking Ground and Leading Regional Growth
SME® | Published on March 5, 2025
Strong leadership and vision are crucial in construction and engineering. At SME®, Megan Jacobs, PE, and Jamie Bates, PE, stand out as our first female Regional Leaders. Megan oversees our regional office in Lansing, Michigan, while Jamie leads our regional office in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Both are expanding their teams and building valuable partnerships with clients, communities and our service partners. According to Construction Today, women are making significant progress in the industry, both in skilled trades and leadership roles. “In 2025, women hold over 20% of leadership positions in construction companies…,” Jamie and Megan exemplify these advancements at SME.
Their unique journeys to leadership reflect the diverse pathways to success in this challenging field. Today, we delve into their experiences, insights, and the milestones that shaped their careers as women leaders in construction. Megan and Jamie, despite their different paths successfully navigated their journeys to become Regional Leaders at SME. Megan’s long tenure at the company and her steady rise through the ranks contrast with Jamie’s rapid progression and leadership spurred by early encouragement and diverse experiences.
Megan began her career at SME in 2001 as a Co-op. After interviewing with Dave Hurlburt, PE, she joined SME’s Lansing office and has been there ever since. Over the years, Megan worked hard and gained valuable experience in the field, developing strong client relationships, participating in leadership development programs at SME, and rose to a senior consultant and QA reviewer. Years ago, Megan saw leadership roles as distant goals until encouragement from Dave Hurlburt, the CMS Group Leader, and Brad Ewart, PE, Lansing’s Regional Leader at the time. Their support led her to seek her current role as Regional Leader. In this role she leads the regional operations and is the face of SME in the region, aligning our team, building client and community relationships and making sure we are providing responsive, practical solutions.
Jamie’s journey into engineering began in high school in LaGrange, IN, where she was involved in a program called Project Lead the Way. Encouraged by her principal, Eva Merkel, Jamie pursued an engineering class within the program, which sparked her curiosity in the field. Jamie received a full-ride scholarship to Purdue University Fort Wayne for civil engineering and was able to more fully discover her passion for geotechnical engineering through soil mechanics and foundation engineering classes. Jamie’s passion of soils grew as she worked alongside Nayyar Siddiki, as an intern at the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Geotechnical Division and working at another consulting firm in the laboratory. Jamie joined SME’s Geotechnical group in 2020. Initially brought on as a project engineer, Jamie worked closely with Brad Ewart, PE and the geotechnical team and quickly rose to senior project engineer and became the Regional Leader of the Fort Wayne office. Her focus is on helping her team grow and thrive and ensuring the success of SME clients and partners in the region.
How do you foster a culture of collaboration and continuous growth and learning within your Team?
MJ: I encourage open communication, provide opportunities for training and professional development and promote a supportive and inclusive work environment. It’s important to create a space where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and learning from each other.
JB: Collaboration is essential for success. I encourage my team to share their perspectives and involve others in projects to avoid tunnel vision and seek to understand different viewpoints. Cross-service collaboration is also crucial, as it brings different specialties together to address various aspects of a project.
What skills or attributes do you believe are essential for effective leadership?
MJ: Being a good listener is at the top of my list. A good listener can gain understanding, uncover the real problems to be solved, show compassion and empathy, and follow through on commitments. Doing so allows leaders to build trust and maintain strong relationships with team members and clients.
JB: Respect is a fundamental attribute for effective leadership. A good leader listens to everyone, respects their perspectives even when they disagree, and encourages their team members. Companies create successful teams by building everyone’s confidence and fostering an affirming environment.
Both Megan and Jamie encountered considerable challenges as women in the construction industry. Megan experienced moments where her skills were questioned, but with the unwavering support of her team leader and her determination, she overcame these obstacles. Jamie often found herself as the only woman in the room, which could be daunting at times. However, she stayed confident and composed, believing in her abilities. Both women acknowledge that the industry has made substantial progress, greatly aided by the efforts of senior women and organizations like the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).
Megan and Jamie both credit key influences in their lives for their professional growth. Megan’s journey was significantly influenced by Dave Hurlburt, PE, whose support and guidance were instrumental. Jamie’s high school principal, Eva Merkel, encouraged her to pursue engineering, and Brad Ewart, PE at SME saw potential in her and encouraged her to take on leadership roles. These influential people have provided the encouragement and support that both women credit as being crucial to their professional development.
Looking to the future, Megan envisions a construction industry where women are well-represented at all levels, from entry-level positions to leadership roles. She hopes to see the same inclusive and supportive workplace culture she has found at SME, represented within the industry at large. Jamie believes that women excel at managing work and seeing the whole picture, and that diversity brings different perspectives essential for growth and innovation.
What advice would you give to professionals aspiring to enter AEC industries?
MJ: Invest in yourself and challenge yourself. Find the right company that will support your growth and provide the necessary training and opportunities. I know that SME has my back, which has been crucial for my confidence and success.
JB: If you love math and science and enjoy working outdoors, give engineering a shot. It’s a challenging field, but with hard work and perseverance, you can achieve anything. Volunteering and participating in professional organizations can also provide valuable insights and encouragement from other women in the industry.
So, What’s Next?
MJ: I plan to continue growing in my role as Regional Leader and focus on building a strong team and maintaining client relationships. I’m also committed to supporting and mentoring the next generation of professionals in the construction industry.
JB: I am focused on supporting my clients and team while continuing to improve myself. Personally, I aspire to become a regional vice president one day. It may be a long-term goal, but I am committed to working towards it and making the next big leap in my career.
Megan and Jamie are not just participating in the construction industry; they are actively shaping it. Through their efforts to promote diversity and foster a supportive environment, they are setting a powerful precedent for other women. Their leadership and mentorship are paving the way for future generations, ensuring that the path to success is not as arduous for those who follow. Despite their different paths, Megan and Jamie both share a passion for their work and a commitment to supporting and mentoring the next generation of professionals. Their journeys reflect the diverse pathways to success in the challenging field of construction, and their experiences serve as an inspiration to others aspiring to enter the industry.