In this episode, I talk with Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora, Sc.D., P.E., F.ASCE, ASCE President and National Dean, School of Engineering and Sciences at Tecnológico de Monterrey, about civil engineering leadership and its future impact. We discuss how his upbringing in the Dominican Republic shaped his approach to leadership, the evolving demands of civil engineering education, and the tools and mindsets the next generation needs to thrive. With real-world insights and inspiration, Dr. Peña-Mora shares how civil engineers can make a lasting difference in communities, adapt to digital transformation, and lead through uncertainty.
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora, Sc.D., P.E., F.ASCE:
- How did your career journey take you from the Dominican Republic to becoming a civil engineering leader?
- What does it mean to be the first Hispanic National President of ASCE?
- What is your core leadership philosophy in civil engineering management?
- How has your upbringing and background influenced your leadership style?
- What are the most essential skills and mindsets for civil engineers facing global challenges today?
- How do you see civil engineering education changing to meet the needs of future professionals?
- What daily rituals help you stay productive as a leader in civil engineering?
- What book or author has influenced your professional habits and leadership?
- What traits have you valued most in civil engineering managers or mentors?
- What career advice would you give to a young civil engineer just starting out?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How Civil Engineering Leadership Is Shaping the Future:
- A successful path in civil engineering leadership often begins with determination, adaptability, and a commitment to personal growth. Developing both cultural and technical skills opens doors to opportunities in academia and public service that shape global infrastructure.
- eing a trailblazer in the field highlights the importance of representation and progress. It’s a deeply meaningful opportunity to elevate professional standards and strengthen the civil engineering community worldwide.
- Effective civil engineering leadership begins with listening, transparency, and empowering others to share ideas. Inclusive decision-making builds trust and positions teams for success in complex infrastructure environments.
- Life experiences shape empathy, perseverance, and adaptability, vital traits for leading in civil engineering. Growing up with limited resources fosters resilience and a people-centered mindset that drives innovation and impact.
- Civil engineers need to be open-minded, curious, and comfortable with uncertainty to lead in an evolving landscape. Embracing complexity, ethical responsibility, and digital tools results in smarter, more sustainable projects.
- Engineering education is shifting toward active reflection, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. Engaging students in dialogue and abstraction better prepares them to face real-world infrastructure challenges.
- Starting the day with intentional routines helps leaders align mentally and navigate challenges more effectively. Setting aside quiet time for planning builds a strong foundation for success in civil engineering.
- Books about leadership habits offer strong frameworks for turning intention into consistent action. Establishing habits creates clarity and structure when managing high-impact civil engineering responsibilities.
- Great managers in civil engineering balance performance standards with human connection. They inspire with vision, offer empathy, and challenge others to grow through discipline and support.
- Civil engineering has the power to transform communities by connecting people and enabling dreams. It’s a profession that leaves a lasting legacy and calls individuals to lead with purpose and impact.
More Details in This Episode…
About Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora, Sc.D., P.E., F.ASCE
Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora is a leader in the field of engineering and sciences, dedicated to transforming education and fostering innovation to address global challenges. Originally from the Dominican Republic and holding a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering Systems from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Peña-Mora brings over 35 years of experience across academia, government, and industry.
He currently serves as the National Dean of the School of Engineering and Sciences at Tecnológico de Monterrey, one of the largest engineering institutions in Latin America, with over 25,000 students and 4,000 faculty and staff members across 20 campuses. As of 2024, he also serves as President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the world’s oldest and largest professional society for civil engineers, representing over 150,000 members in 177 countries. Previously, he was General Director on ASCE’s Board of Directors from 2019 to 2022, where he led the development of the organization’s strategic plan.
Peña-Mora’s impressive career includes leadership roles as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Design and Construction, Dean of Engineering at Columbia University, Associate Provost at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Professor at MIT. During his tenure, he led iconic projects, such as the reconstruction of Times Square and the Police Academy training facilities in Queens, New York.
His research interests span areas including information technology support for collaborative civil engineering design, sustainable construction, and process visualization and integration. He has authored or co-authored more than 250 publications and holds six patents, earning recognition with some of the most prestigious awards in his field.
About the Host: K. James Taylor, Jr., P.E.
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 19 years of experience in civil engineering in the land development and municipal fields. 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 is a Delaware Business Times 40 Under 40 2024 honoree. He also serves as the president of the Delaware Engineering Society and on the National Society of Professional Engineers Board of Directors as the New Professionals Director from 2021 to 2023 and currently as the Northeast Region Director. James recently joined the Board of Directors for ACE Mentor Delaware, a no-cost after-school program designed to connect high school students with professionals in the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) industry.
Books Mentioned in This Episode:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Sources/References:
ASCE
Tecnologico de Monterrey
MIT
Columbia University
University of Illinois
DDC
ASCE Future World Vision
ASCE MegaCity 2070
Connect with Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora, Sc.D., P.E., F.ASCEd, on LinkedIn
AEC PM Certification
AEC PM Connect
Project Management Accelerator™
Engineering Leadership Accelerator™
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