EMDC Reestablishes Industry Advisory Board

When Shelley Finnigan became director of Northwestern Engineering's Master of Science in Executive Management for Design and Construction (EMDC) program, one of her first goals was to reestablish its Industry Advisory Board (IAB). 

While EMDC has prepared professionals for senior roles in the design and construction industries since its founding, Finnigan believed reengaging an IAB would help ensure the program and its curriculum remained on the cutting edge.  

"One of the benefits of EMDC is that our strong connections to industry enable us to keep a pulse on the needs of architecture, engineering, and construction firms and the professionals that they employ," Finnigan said. "We are at a pivotal point for the EMDC program. Harnessing the insights and recommendations of our IAB members is of utmost importance to enable us to refine our growth strategy, stay attuned to industry needs, and ensure that the program is preparing our students for success in their careers and at the organizations that support them." 

The six newest members of the IAB signed on during the winter months, and Finnigan is delighted to formally introduce them today: 

• Karen Layng is CEO at M.A.I.T. Co., a consulting company specializing in construction, development and strategic governance, ethics, insurance and compliance reviews, arbitrations, and mediations. Layng is a member of the American Arbitration Association and the national president of the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of the USA. She has served as an adjunct lecturer at Northwestern since 2018. 

 

• Kevin MacLean is principal at Read Jones Christoffersen (RJC), a Canada-based company that specializes in structural engineering, structural restoration, building science, structural glass design, parking facility design, and building energy modeling. MacLean specializes in the design of tall and complex structures. He's worked at RJC since 2006 and has served as project engineer or engineer-of-record for many of the company's signature high-rise projects. 

 

• Angela Nocera is vice president and national army market lead at Michael Baker International, a provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction, and program management. Nocera has worked at Michael Baker International since 2017. She is a member of the Society of American Military Engineers and the National Association of Ordnance Contractors. 

 

• Joseph O'Sullivan is senior principal of the Syska Hennessy Group, a consulting firm that provides high performance engineering, consulting, and commissioning solutions for the built environment. O'Sullivan has worked at the company since 1998 and currently leads the country's Central and Southeast region. He is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning; the 7x24 Exchange; and AFCOM, a professional association that seeks to advance the career of IT and data center professionals.  

 

• Javier Quintana de Uña is CEO at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. He became CEO in January 2022 following nine years as managing director at IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture UK. He was the founding dean of the IE University School of Architecture and Design, and has more than 20 years of experience driving strategic, commercial, and operational growth for consultancies, not-for-profits and academic institutions in the architectural and construction industry. 

 

• Joseph Washington (EMDC '22) is construction control representative for the General Services Administration. He has more than 10 years of program and construction management experience, and he previously was a program and construction management consultant for the Cook County of Illinois Department of Capital Planning & Policy. Washington is also the inaugural chairperson of the EMDC Alumni Board, which was established in 2023. 

 

The EMDC IAB will meet two times per year to discuss the direction of the program. Finnigan is also working to establish additional ways for board members to interact and network with EMDC students. 

"It is truly an honor to engage with such an esteemed group," Finnigan said. "And I cannot wait to see how their inputs will shape the future of this relevant program."