MEET TEAM EMI!

Engineering Management Institute

Leadership

Team EMI

Anthony Fasano, P.E., AEC PM, F. ASCE

Founder, Engineer, Lead Trainer and Coach

Team EMI

Betty Arellano

Learning & Development Team Leader

Team EMI

Angelique Burns

Content Marketing Team Leader

Team EMI

Michelle Cochran

Program Delivery Team Leader

Team EMI

Ana Prats

Design Team Leader

Team EMI

Brittany Popomaronis

Head of Team Member Experience

Finance and Sales

Team EMI

Lizaan van der Bank, CPA

Finance and Contract Management Specialist

Team EMI

Benedick Calderon

Executive Assistant

Learning and Development

Team EMI

Nicole Alipio

Project Designer

Team EMI

Gracia Padilla

Project Designer

Team EMI

Genelyn Penaflor

Project Designer

Team EMI

Alana Kaufmann

Delivery Specialist

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Berenice De Bruyn

Delivery Specialist

Content and Marketing

Team EMI

Airize Velasco

Pre-Production Manager

Team EMI

Kyrios Rivera

Content Production Manager

Team EMI

Gavin Burns

Post Production Manager

Team EMI

Elizma Du Toit

Marketing Co-Ordinator

Team EMI

Luis Camejo

Video Producer & Editor

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Cristalyn Mendevil

Sales Lead Researcher & Script Writer

Team EMI

Adrian Arbo

Audio Producer & Editor

Team EMI

Fiorella Dacosta

Graphic Designer

Podcast Hosts

Jared M. Green, P.E., BC.GE, F.ASCE

Host of the Geotechnical Engineering Podcast

Rachel Holland, P.E.

Co-host of The Structural Engineering Podcast

Mathew Picardal, P.E., SE

Co-host of The Structural Engineering Podcast

Tiffani Teachey

Co-host of the Women in Engineering Success Stories from STEM Professionals Podcast

Nick Heim, P.E.

Host of the AEC Engineering and Technology Podcast

K. James Taylor, Jr., P.E.

Co-host of The Civil Engineering Podcast

Rebecca Swabey, P. Eng.

Co-host of the Women in Engineering Success Stories from STEM Professionals Podcast

Matthew Douglas

Co-host of the AEC Project Management Podcast

Learning Instructors

Please note: Individuals on this page may be volunteers, part or full-time employees or contract freelance professionals.

Anthony Fasano, P.E.

Team EMI

Founder, Engineer, Lead Trainer and Coach

Anthony is the man who started it all. After becoming successful as a civil engineer at a very young age, Fasano realized that his success was largely related to the development of his non-technical, or core skills. Since that time, he has decided to transition his career from designing to inspiring engineers in their soft skill development through coaching, speaking, and training. He has also co-authored a series of children’s books with his 11-year-old daughter, titled “Purpee the Purple Dragon.” They have delivered hundreds of books to pediatric cancer centers around the world. In the past few years, Fasano has written a bestselling book titled, “Engineer Your Own Success: 7 Key Elements to Creating an Extraordinary Engineering Career,” which was recently updated with IEEE-Wiley Press. He has also created two top-rated iTunes podcasts for engineers. The Engineering Career Coach podcast was recently cited by Forbes as one of the top 15 most inspiring for professionals. The Civil Engineering Podcast, which is downloaded by thousands of civil engineers worldwide, has been downloaded over 1 million times since inception. Fasano earned a B.S. and M.S. degree in civil engineering from Lafayette College and Columbia University, respectively, and his executive coaching certificate from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC).

Betty Arellano

Team EMI

Learning & Development Program Leader

Betty Arellano is an engineer who supports the operations of the Engineering Management Institute and is responsible for the ensuring the success of EMI’s learning and development programs. She leads a dynamic team of project managers, designers, and delivery specialists to design, implement, and evaluate innovative and impactful custom and other learning and development programs that align with our organizational goals and objectives. She manages multiple projects concurrently, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget. This includes defining project objectives, developing project plans, allocating resources effectively, and closely monitoring progress to ensure successful project outcomes. Betty graduated from De La Salle University Philippines with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. She received her Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of the Philippines (UP). She and her other UP colleagues formed a consulting company to assist companies with their environmental compliance, permitting requirements and impact assessment. Shortly after, Betty was selected as one of the Philippine representatives for the Industrial Biotechnology and Technology Transfer in Germany, which lasted for 10 months. She also helped start up a company taking on the role as a management representative for ISO 2000/14000 quality, environmental, health and safety management systems. Betty moved to the United States in 2006 and joined our team in 2012.

Angelique Burns

Team EMI

Content Marketing Team Leader

Angelique Burns, currently residing in South Africa, is the Content Marketing Team Leader at The Engineering Management Institute, where she has been an integral part of the team for 9 years. She oversees the production and publication of nearly 4,000 pieces of content annually, including articles, podcast episodes, and videos. Angelique is a certified social media manager with a proven track record of enhancing brand visibility and engagement. Her keen eye for detail, combined with a strategic and data-driven approach, has significantly contributed to the growth of our digital platforms. Angelique’s leadership and innovative thinking have been pivotal in expanding our reach and impact within the global engineering community.

Michelle Cochran

Team EMI

Program Delivery Team Leader

Michelle joined the EMI team in September 2023 after spending over six years in EdTech. In her current role as Learning & Development Project Manager, she oversees the delivery of all programs and courses, as well as our webinars, certifications and events. In her time at EMI, Michelle has implemented a new Learning Management System (LMS) and assisted in the launch of the AEC PM Certification and AEC PM Connect event. Michelle is a Maryland native, currently living in the Baltimore area where she enjoys spending time with her family, coaching lacrosse, and teaching children’s formation at her church.

Ana Prats

Team EMI

Design Team Leader

Ana Prats is in charge of developing and implementing training material for our clients. Revise presentations from our general programs and past custom programs. Support our Learning Department Director. Collaborate with the whole EMI team on different projects to enhance productivity.

Brittany Popomaronis

Team EMI

Head of Team Member Experience

Brittany Popomaronis joined EMI in April 2024 as the Head of Team Member Experience, serving as the go to person for all Human Resource opportunities. Her passion for people and providing a rounded experience in work and in personal life has been integral to her role at the company. She took a break from her previous paying job role to be a stay at home mom for her two young children – and today, continues to do EMI work while simultaneously being mom. Brittany worked mostly in sales and administrative positions but was given the opportunity to work on the HR side of the business in 2019. This is where her love for creating a healthy work experience for her team members developed. She enjoys bringing new talent to the team, and working along side Anthony to ensure everyone on the team is happy in their role, and continues to develope their careers accordingly.

Lizaan van der Bank

Team EMI

Finance and Contract Management Specialist

Lizaan van der Bank is the Finance and Contract Management Specialist at EMI, bringing exceptional expertise and a keen eye for detail to her role since 2020. Based in Mossel Bay, Lizaan is a seasoned chartered accountant whose passion for numbers and unparalleled organizational skills drive the financial and contractual success of our company. With a solid foundation in accounting and finance, Lizaan excels in managing complex financial structures and ensuring meticulous contract administration. Her analytical acumen and methodical approach enable her to streamline processes, optimize financial performance, and support strategic decision-making at EMI. Lizaan’s commitment to precision and efficiency is matched by her dedication to the growth and integrity of EMI.

Benedick Calderon

Team EMI

Executive Assistant

Benedick is an Executive Assistant to the CEO and a specialist of the EMI Learning and Development team. He excels in sales and project coordination where he works with Anthony and Betty in streamlining the Sales Reachout process of EMI, updating critical information, and maintaining communication with Instructors on their weekly schedules. His expertise in improving operational efficiency and attention to detail is complemented by his strong communication skills and dedication to teamwork, consistently contributing to the success of his projects and team members.

Nicole Alipio

Team EMI

Project Designer

Nicole Alipio is a Learning and Development Specialist at the Engineering Management Institute (EMI) based in Cavite, Philippines, where she has been enhancing instructional materials for nearly a year. She specializes in creating effective, engaging educational content that supports EMI’s goals. Nicole is also pursuing a degree in Interior Design at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. Her dedication to both professional development and creative design reflects her ongoing efforts to contribute to better learning experiences.

Gracia Padilla

Team EMI

Project Designer

Gracia Padilla is a Dynamic Industrial and Systems Engineer with 4+ years of experienced in SOP’s development, database analysis, and time studies. Dedicated to enhancing productivity, quality, and process efficiency while reducing costs. Experienced in defining KPIs, implementing data analysis techniques, and driving process improvements. Six Sigma certified, adept at leveraging technical expertise to achieve organizational excellence. Passionate about delivering measurable results and optimizing performance.

Genelyn Penaflor

Team EMI

Project Designer

Genelyn Penaflor is a fulltime freelance multimedia specialist with 12 years of experience. She prefers to work from home to be with her two kids. On weekends, she oversees a multimedia volunteer team at a local church in Manila. Her passion for creative design drives her work, making her a dedicated and versatile professional in the field.

Alana Kaufmann

Team EMI

Delivery Specialist

Alana has over 8 years of experience working remotely, with a strong background in customer support and e-commerce operations. A Disney enthusiast, she has had the unique opportunity to work at Walt Disney World multiple times. Based in Brazil, Alana is passionate about travel, whether it’s planning local day trips or embarking on long backpacking adventures across Eastern Europe. When not working or exploring new destinations, she loves spending time with her family, and indulging in sweet treats.

Berenice De Bruyn

Team EMI

Delivery Specialist

Berenice De Bruyn is an experienced L&D Program Delivery Specialist with four years of expertise in the Learning and Development field. She excels in managing administrative tasks, particularly in the seamless execution of pre- and post-session responsibilities, including uploading course materials such as slides, guidebooks, and assignments. Berenice is instrumental in ensuring that all course participants complete their sessions successfully and obtain their certifications, playing a vital role in the smooth operation of the department.

Airize Velasco

Team EMI

Pre-Production Manager

Since joining the Engineering Management Institute in September 2023, Airize Velasco has taken on a crucial role in podcast coordination and pre-production across EMI’s channels. She manages everything from guest outreach and script creation to scheduling social media posts and preparing detailed analytical reports for sponsors. Airize ensures smooth podcast production by coordinating with guest speakers, blog authors, updating schedules, and overseeing the release of episodes. Her meticulous attention to detail and expertise in digital organization make her an essential part of the team.

Kyrios Rivera

Team EMI

Content Production Manager

Kyrios is a dynamic video and image editor who is passionate about producing top notch content that resonates with audiences. Guiding a talented team of junior editors, he ensures that each project is visually captivating and aligned with company goals. Known for creativity and precision, he thrives on pushing boundaries and keeping projects running smoothly. When not immersed in the world of editing, he can be found strumming a guitar or tending to a backyard full of vermi farms, laying chickens, and rabbits.

Gavin Burns

Team EMI

Post Production Manager

Gavin Burns, currently residing in South Africa, is the Post Production Manager at The Engineering Management Institute, where he has been a dedicated team member for 8 years. He is responsible for optimizing EMI’s online presence through effective website management, content creation, email marketing, and social media marketing. Gavin’s expertise ensures that website content is both engaging and easy to understand, while his experience in email and social media marketing enhances user engagement and drives valuable conversions. His strategic approach and keen attention to detail have significantly contributed to making every visitor interaction on EMI’s website meaningful and beneficial, playing a pivotal role in the company’s digital success.

Elizma Du Toit

Team EMI

Marketing Co-Ordinator

As a dedicated Marketing Coordinator, Elizma oversees the creation of show notes and social media content, ensuring every piece aligns with our brand’s voice and goals. Elizma is a hardworking professional who consistently goes above and beyond to achieve success. Her entrepreneurial spirit, combined with her strong communication skills, creativity, and ability to collaborate effectively with teams, has been pivotal in driving our marketing efforts forward.

Luis Camejo

Team EMI

Video Producer & Editor

Luis Camejo is a skilled video editor and designer with a background in electronic engineering and digital marketing. He has 5+ years of experience creating high-quality videos for YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. Luis is passionate about staying up-to-date on marketing trends and creating engaging content that resonates with audiences. At EMI, he works closely with our content team to develop videos that meet the highest quality standards and drive results

Cristalyn Mendevil

Team EMI

Sales Lead Researcher & Script Writer

Cristalyn Mendevil lives in the Philippines, working as a Marketing, Sales, and Finance Specialist at Engineering Management Institute (EMI). Quality is her top priority while effectively managing a substantial workload. She is a highly motivated self-starter capable of cultivating long-term business relationships with her team. Notable accomplishments include completing projects with a five-star rating on Upwork. Her areas of expertise encompass LinkedIn Sales & Marketing, Online & Offline Research, Virtual/Personal Assistance, List Building, Lead Generation, MS Office proficiency.

Michael Jerome Nueva Espana

Team EMI

Video Editor

Michael (Myk) Jerome Nueva España is an enthusiastic video and image editor dedicated to crafting engaging content that connects with audiences. Myk joined EMI in 2024, working under the guidance of a senior editor. He focuses on enhancing each project with his unique perspective and skills. Known for his creativity and attention to detail, he thrives on learning new techniques and contributing fresh ideas to keep projects on track.

Adrian Arbo

Team EMI

Audio Producer & Editor

Adrian is a video editor from the Philippines with a passion for transforming raw footage into compelling, polished content. With years of experience and a strong command of industry-standard editing software, he focuses on creating videos that are visually appealing, clear, and consistent in style. His approach to editing is centered around storytelling, ensuring every cut, transition, and effect enhances the narrative and connects with the audience. Adrian enjoys working closely with teams, contributing creative ideas, and adapting to different visions and styles. Whether it’s for a podcast, promotional video, or any other format, his goal is to produce content that engages viewers and leaves a lasting impact.

Fiorella Dacosta

Team EMI

Graphic Designer

Firoella has been with EMI since January 2024, and currently lives in Spain with her family. She is a passionate graphic designer with a strong foundation in visual communication and a keen eye for detail. Fiorella is very skilled in Adobe Creative Suite. She is always eager to apply creative problem-solving skills to collaborate on exciting projects and contribute to innovative design solutions.

Jared M. Green, P.E., BC.GE, F.ASCE

Host of the Geotechnical Engineering Podcast

Jared, originally from southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduated from Syracuse University’s College of Engineering in 2001 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He later went on to attain his M.S. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Focus) from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Campaign, in 2002. In 2003, he began working in the New York City office of Langan. He has since become a Principal / Vice President and is one of the owners of this international land development engineering consulting firm. After 15 years at Langan, Jared moved to the Philadelphia office and is one of the geotechnical practice leaders in that office.

Jared is a consultant and team leader who also enjoys mentoring young engineers and first-generation college students. He has been instrumental in increasing the number of pre-college students who are interested in STEAM majors and fields. He strives to make complex engineering topics relatable and understandable to people new to the field and to people who are completely unfamiliar with engineering. Jared and his family currently reside in Flemington, New Jersey. He and his wife have three energetic, inquisitive, and awesome children. 

Rachel Holland, P.E.

Co-host of The Structural Engineering Podcast

Rachel is an experienced R&D engineer, developing and patenting multiple new structural connectors. She also offers her expertise to both the end user and specifiers as a branch engineering supervisor. She represents Simpson Strong-Tie as a deck expert, educating others how to properly build code-compliant decks. Before her career working for a manufacturing company, she spent many years working for engineering consulting companies. She earned her Architectural Engineering undergrad degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from California State University, Monterey Bay. Rachel is a licensed P.E. in California, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Mathew Picardal, P.E., SE

Co-host of The Structural Engineering Podcast

Mathew is a licensed engineer, practicing on structural projects in California, with an undergraduate degree from Cal Poly Pomona and an M.S. in Structural Engineering from UC San Diego. He has designed and managed various types of building structures, including residential wood apartment buildings, commercial steel buildings, and concrete parking structures and towers. He also hosts the new YouTube channel “Structural Engineering Life,” through which he promotes the structural engineering profession to engineering students who are not familiar with the industry perspective.

Tiffani Teachey

Host of the Women in Engineering Success Stories from STEM Professionals Podcast

Tiffani Teachey is a Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) advocate, TEDx international speaker, and international best-selling author of the children’s book “What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z,” the STEM Crew Kids Adventures series, and three empowerment books. She is the host of the Read It Right Radio Show on WDRBmedia. Tiffani is the owner of Thrive Edge Publishing and owner/publishing consultant of Inspired Authors Publishing. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering as well as a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management, both from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is currently a Leadership Studies Ph.D. student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

As an engineer with more than 19 years of experience, Tiffani has a passion for inspiring the next generation to engage in STEM careers. She was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and enjoys traveling and being a youth mentor. For more about Tiffani, visit her website at www.TiffaniTeachey.com. Check out the free STEM gift – 10 STEM Scholarships & Organizations e-book at www.stemistheway.com.

Nick Heim, P.E.

Host of the AEC Engineering and Technology Podcast

Nick Heim, P.E., is a civil engineer with six years of experience in the repair and restoration of existing structures, and host of the AEC Engineering and Technology Podcast (AECTECH), where he brings valuable insights and expertise to listeners worldwide.

Nick’s interests lie at the intersection between the built world and technology, and he can be found looking for the ever-changing answer to the question, “How can we do this better?” Nick can be found on LinkedIn, producing content about use of technologies in his civil engineering career and small business.

K. James Taylor, Jr., P.E.

Co-host of The Civil Engineering Podcast

K . James Taylor, Jr., P.E., is a licensed professional engineer and an associate vice president at Verdantas, an emerging environmental, engineering, and technical consulting company with a green, sustainable, and people-first approach in the foreground. James has over 17 years of experience in civil engineering in the land development and municipal fields. Land development services include the design of subdivisions and site plans for compliance with local codes and ordinances, civil/site engineering, stormwater management, road design, and utility design. James has served as a project manager since 2018. In 2021, James was recognized with the Outstanding Project Manager Award at Duffield Associates (now Verdantas) for outstanding performance as a project manager and his consistent display of leadership traits valued by the company, including scheduling, management, proactive communication, collaboration, responsiveness, and client-focused service.

James was selected as the 2021 Young Engineer of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Delaware Section, and served as the President of the Delaware Engineering Society and the New Professionals Director on the NSPE Board of Directors from 2021-2023.

Rebecca Swabey

Co-host of the Women in Engineering Success Stories from STEM Professionals Podcast

Rebecca Swabey is a professional engineer and the CEO of Equator Studios, where she leads a team dedicated to streamlining civil engineering projects with new technology, including LiDAR and large language models (LLMs). With 10 years of experience in the consulting engineering industry, Rebecca has worked extensively in stormwater management, hydrology, and hydraulic assessments. Her passion for cities, watercourses, and green spaces drives much of her work. More than anything, Rebecca is passionate about enhancing efficiency within the industry by focusing on improvements at the intersection of people and process.

Matthew Douglas

Co-host of the AEC Project Management Podcast

Matthew currently serves as a content creator and host of The Engineering Project Management Podcast. As a civil engineer by trade, Matthew has developed a passion for construction and stormwater management by way of maintenance and rehabilitation services. Matthew has also had experience working under private consulting firms, and public agencies and has even held a role of an educator, as such, he loves to lead, build, mentor, and help those in need.

Most recently, during his time working for the public sector, he has taken the role of Public Works Operations Manager. There he led quite a few public infrastructure rehabilitation projects and implemented new asset management technologies at a very young age. It is here that the passion for “fixing what’s broken” has developed.

Ann Tomalavage, P.E.

Ann Tomalavage, P.E. has walked in the shoes of the project manager. As a civil engineer, she has worked as a project manager for over 35 years in top-level firms. Of more than 200 ASCE professionals teaching nearly 100 civil engineering topics, Ann is consistently rated among the top four of all ASCE instructors.

Erica Lee Garcia, P. Eng.

Erica Lee Garcia, P. Eng. is a professional engineer with over 15 years of experience in automotive manufacturing, mining, non-profit management, and entrepreneurship. She is a Six Sigma Black Belt (which is a process improvement certification), and she is an enthusiastic mentor and coach.

Mike Lozanoff, P.E.

Mike Lozanoff, P.E. worked as a civil engineer on Infrastructure projects for years, began developing training programs for Project Managers, giving them the skills and tools necessary to effectively manage multiple projects. He became immersed in business development, created market growth strategies, facilitated leadership development programs, and has served on Boards of Directors for profit and non-profit businesses.

Richard Negri, P.E.

Richard Negri, P.E. is a seasoned Professional Engineer with a passion for merging his Civil Engineering expertise with the dynamic world of real estate. With a genuine commitment to helping others, Rich’s journey has taken him from the intricacies of geotechnical and light-framed structural design to the heart of construction and project management.

Susan Wolford

Susan Wolford is a licensed landscape architect, certified land planner, sustainable professional and LEED Green Associate with extensive experience in the coordination and overall management of a variety of site development projects for private clients and public agencies. She is involved in a multitude of land development phases for industrial, residential, commercial, institutional, and recreational facilities, as well as the preparation of complete site development documents for streetscape design, park facilities, and commercial site development. In the preparation of these plans, she has participated in public presentations and the development of design solutions responsive to social and environmental influences. As Regional Vice President, she was responsible for the operations and management of Pennoni’s four Virginia and one North Carolina offices.