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.
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About GHD
GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy, and communities sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 12,000+ professionals is connected across 165 offices located on five continents.