HNTB project engineer Cecilia Vong receives emerging leader award from ACEC Los Angeles

HNTB Corporation announced that project engineer Cecilia Vong, P.E., ENV SP, has received the 2026 Emerging Leader Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Los Angeles chapter.

ACEC LA created the Emerging Leader Award to celebrate early-career engineers whose talent and leadership are shaping the future of the profession, offering a model for the next generation of engineers entering the field. Applicants for the Emerging Leader Award must provide examples of professional accomplishments, technical contributions and expertise, leadership and career advancement, mentorship and more.

"Cecilia has earned a reputation for reliability as well as technical excellence on major projects with LA Metro, LAWA, City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering, Metrolink and Caltrans," said Yoga, PhD, PE, GE, HNTB Los Angeles office leader and senior vice president. "She also mentors colleagues and serves as a project quality manager on many of our Los Angeles office's projects. Her recognition reflects what we value most: engineers who pair strong technical skill with a real commitment to mentoring the next generation, the kind of leadership that will shape Southern California's infrastructure for decades to come."

During Vong’s eight years with HNTB, she has held key roles in major projects across the region, most recently as civil lead for the LAWA Airfield and Terminal Modernization Project (ATMP) and final design lead for the LA Metro Vermont Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor project.

"It means so much to be recognized not just for the projects I've worked on, but for the mentorship and community building that go into growing as an engineer," Vong said. "I hope that by sharing my path, other young engineers, especially women, can see there's a place for them in this field, and plenty of room to grow."

Vong earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from UCLA in 2018, where she was active in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) student chapter, serving as steel bridge project manager and surveying project manager.

About HNTB

For more than a century, HNTB Corporation has been at the forefront of designing and advancing transportation infrastructure that enhances mobility and improves local communities. With client relationships spanning decades, we understand infrastructure life cycles and have perspective and experience to solve the most complex technical, financial and operational challenges with vision and imagination. As employee owners committed to excellence, we prioritize client success while delivering a full spectrum of infrastructure-related services. Discover HNTB’s Spark at www.hntb.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook or Instagram.