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Young Eng of the YearLoujin Daher, PE

Loujin Daher, P.E., a Geotechnical Dam Safety Engineer at AECOM, has been honored with the 2024 Young Engineer of the Year Award by the Central Pennsylvania Engineers Week Council (CPEWC). She is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) – Central PA Section, having held leadership roles at both local and national levels.

After graduating from Dieruff High School in Allentown, PA, Loujin began her academic journey at Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville, PA. She later transferred to Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, earning her Civil Engineering degree in 2015. Loujin started her professional journey at Gannett Fleming in Camp Hill, PA, dedicating eight years to serving as a geotechnical engineer within the Earth-Science Business Line team. Her primary focus on distinctive infrastructures, particularly dams, which play a vital role in supplying drinking water, managing floods, offering recreational spaces, and generating hydropower, underscored her profound passion and expertise. In her role as a dam geotechnical engineer, Loujin played a pivotal role in extending the design life of embankment dams, showcasing her unwavering commitment to enhancing client outcomes. In 2022, her forward-thinking proposal aimed at revolutionizing dam and levee inspection methodologies through the integration of drone technology, AI, and digital twins earned her well-deserved recognition from the Gannett Fleming Board of Directors. This achievement, securing the second position in the Gannett Fleming Innovation Competition, underscored her dedication to navigating and excelling in the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Beyond her technical contributions, Loujin actively supported Connected Women at Gannett Fleming as a valued steering committee member, contributing to the fostering of a culture that empowers, supports, and mentors women within the organization. In December 2023, Loujin joined AECOM, an infrastructure consulting firm consistently ranked as the #1 Dams and Reservoirs firm by Engineering News-Record (ENR) and proudly maintaining the reputation of being the industry’s global leader in dams and reservoirs. Presently, Loujin continues to showcase her innovation and practical solutions for intricate geotechnical challenges.

An active member of ASCE since 2018, Loujin has served in various leadership roles over five years. She held positions such as vice president and president of the Central PA ASCE Section, Communication Chair, and Shippensburg University Practitioner. She was also involved in the 2022 PA Infrastructure Report Card. Loujin volunteered for the dams and levees report card, chaired the Central PA report card release committee, and engaged with ASCE for infrastructure investment advocacy. Loujin participated in the ASCE Legislative fly-in in Harrisburg, PA, urging continued investment in infrastructure. In 2024, she will advocate for the profession in Washington DC, enhancing her leadership skills and understanding Capitol Hill policymaking. Beyond her local commitments, Loujin was appointed to serve on the sub-technical committee for the ASCE National convention. One of her most recent appointments withing the ASCE is joining The Members of Society Advancing An Inclusive Culture (MOSAIC) Committee, acting as a representative for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the civil engineering community.

Beyond her professional life, Loujin actively contributes to her community. She is a current resident of Etters, York County, PA. Loujin regularly volunteers for Adopt-the-Highway events with the Central PA ASCE Younger Member Group (YMG), serves as a panelist and speaker for many STEM outreach events in Central PA colleges and universities, and mentors summer interns and entry-levels through the ASCE Mentor-Match program. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, playing pickleball and kickball, and cheering for the Baltimore Orioles Baseball Team with her partner, Craig.