Lehman, Maria

Special accommodations can often be made to help balance work and home. Eldercare and childcare issues are a common experience for all, says Maria Lehman, PE, Fj SCE, fice President and Director of Transportation Systems with Bergmann Associates. We must look at human heings individually and provide flexihihty to deal with life issues. ... 

Engineering firms need to make a conscious effort to hire women and people of color, says Maria Lehman. If companies sincerely want to increase diversity, they need to find key people in leadership positions within that demographic. Tliose people, in turn, will attract more of that same demographic. It s not enough to have a policy and a visibly diverse workforce, however. Leadership in the company must truly believe and make that commitment regularly to walk the talk. ... 

The profession is not addressing the pipeline issues early enough. We re smck, says Maria Lehman. We have to sell them on the idea that it s a cool profession that enables them to make a good living, and they can do the stuff that s important to them at this age. Bottom line We have to get kids interested in math and science earlier, definitely by middle school. ... 

Maria Lehman, P.E., Vice President and Director of Transportation Systems, Bergmann Associates, www.bergmannpc.com... 

---