Larisa Escalle among rising leaders in ENR’s Top Young Professionals

She’s not yet 40, and her 16-year career is on track, marked by numerous achievements. Larisa Escalle’s journey to ENR’s National Top 20 under 40 Young Professionals award began in 1997, when she immigrated to the San Francisco Bay Area with her family from Kyrgyzstan. Little did she know at the time that being a user of public transportation and later participating in an after-school STEM mentorship program during high school would set the basis for her career in public transportation infrastructure development.

Engineering News-Record (ENR) ranks design firms, contractors and specialty contractors, as well as the renowned list of top young professionals under 40. The Top Young Professionals award is a cross-sector recognition to rising leaders under 40 years of age who demonstrate exceptional leadership, career progress and community involvement. Applications are received in ENR’s 10 regions across the United States and Puerto Rico. Each region selects 20-30 candidates, and then the list is narrowed down to a selected top 20 to receive the national award in New York.

The self-nomination process is the result of an introspective analysis by each candidate. “I finally felt I was in a place of my life and career where I had something to be proud of, award-worthy. Working at GHD has provided me with this incredible opportunity to work in Rail & Transit in the northern California community, and the moment felt right,” says Larisa, who had been considering the opportunity for a couple of years before deciding to move forward.

The process requires candidates to demonstrate strength in three key criteria: 

• Industry experience, 
• Leadership and 
• Community service.

With 16 years of experience working in the rail and transit industry –supporting delivery of multiple landmark projects, including the $12.6-billion BART Silicon Valley Phase II, the $1.1-billion Bay Area Rapid Transit District Communications Based Train Control program and the multibillion California High-Speed Rail program— Larisa has demonstrated strong leadership and a deep commitment to the profession. Her 20+ years of involvement in the ACE program, evolving from mentee to mentor, further highlight her dedication to developing future talent. These contributions earned her recognition as one of ENR’s National Top Young Professionals.

“It’s a little shocking—but in the best way! It feels validating that all the hard work I’ve poured into my career is being recognized. Like many people, I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome at times, so getting this award feels like a powerful reminder that I’m doing something right—and that I should be proud of how far I’ve come.”

“I believe it’s not just about the projects we work on or the revenue we generate—it’s about well-rounded impact. It recognizes career growth, leadership, and your contributions to the community. I’ve been deeply involved with ACE and other volunteering efforts, and I’m proud of that continued commitment to mentorship. What I appreciate most about this award is that it honors both professional accomplishments and meaningful contributions outside of work—it celebrates the whole person.” 

“My advice to young professionals is to focus on three key things: engage with your community, stay open to new opportunities, and invest in meaningful relationships. I entered the industry as a high school mentee in ACE, and over the years, building a strong network and having mentors—and eventually becoming a mentor myself—has had a profound impact on both my personal and professional journey.”

“For those pursuing this recognition, I recommend starting the application process early and surrounding yourself with the right support. I was fortunate to receive two strong letters of recommendation from GHD executive leaders, including one who is also a past honoree of the ENR Top 20 Under 40. I’m proud to be part of a company like GHD that values both career excellence and community contribution.”

"As someone working in public transportation, my vision is rooted in equity and accessibility. I hope to see continued investment in public transit systems that make it easier, safer, and more reliable for people to get where they need to go. Growing up, public transportation provided my family with access to school, work, and opportunities—and that changed the trajectory of our lives. Now, having the chance to contribute to improving those systems for others is deeply meaningful and rewarding."

Larisa joined GHD in 2022 as the Rail & Transit Lead for Northern California, focusing on business development and leveraging her deep experience in program management. Her longstanding commitment to mentoring through the Architecture, Construction & Engineering (ACE) program further reflects her dedication to the industry and to developing future talent. 

About GHD

GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy, and communities sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 12,000+ professionals is connected across 160 offices located on five continents.