Maria Lehman named 2026 Engineer of the Year by ACEC New York

Maria Lehman, Executive Advisor for U.S. Infrastructure at global professional services company GHD, has been named the 2026 Engineer of the Year by the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC New York).

The annual award recognizes an active or retired member who has made significant contributions to the consulting engineering profession, the association and their community. It reflects a career defined by leadership, service and impact across the engineering sector. 

“I’m honored to be recognized by ACEC New York. This award reflects the work of many people I’ve had the privilege to serve alongside across our profession,” Lehman said. “Engineering has always been about public trust, collaboration and long‑term commitment to communities, and I’m grateful to have spent my career contributing to that purpose.” 

Lehman previously served as GHD’s US Infrastructure Market Leader before retiring from that position in November 2025. In 2022, she was appointed by US President Biden as vice chair of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, which advises the White House on reducing physical and cyber risks and strengthening the security and resilience of the nation’s critical infrastructure.  In 2023, she was nominated to the National Academy of Construction and in 2025, the National Academy of Engineering. 

Lehman is a former president of the American Society of Civil Engineers and was the organization’s interim executive director. She has also held senior public-sector roles, including acting executive director of the New York State Thruway Authority and commissioner of public works for Erie County, New York. 

Lehman is a magna cum laude graduate of State University of New York at Buffalo, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.  She currently serves on the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences faculty at SUNY Buffalo as the Samuel P. Capen Professor of Engineering Management.

Acerca de GHD

GHD es una empresa líder en servicios profesionales que opera en los mercados mundiales de agua, energía y recursos, medio ambiente, infraestructura y edificaciones, y transporte. Comprometidos con la visión de garantizar que el agua, la energía y las comunidades sean sostenibles para las futuras generaciones, GHD ofrece soluciones en consultoría, servicios digitales, ingeniería, arquitectura, medio ambiente y construcción a clientes del sector público y privado. Fundada en 1928 y propiedad de sus trabajadores, GHD cuenta con una red de más de 12.000 profesionales en más de 165 oficinas en cinco continentes.