2019 Women in Building Services: Yun Luo, LERA Consulting Structural Engineers

Name: Yun Luo

Title: Senior Design Engineer

Company Name: LERA Consulting Structural Engineers              

How many years have you been in your current field? 5

List up to three CRE organizations that you are currently a member of: 

• Structural Engineers Association of New York
• Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
• The Architectural League of New York

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months?
I am working on a new resilient acute care hospital tower for Coney Island Hospital. It serves an urgent community need and is designed against future severe weather events. We are adopting many innovative elements in both design and construction. The team is also navigating the political complexity of this project, as it is a public project with federal funding. It has been a great experience for me as a project manager at LERA.

Which of your philanthropic endeavors are you most proud of?
I have been part of the SEER (Structural Engineer Emergency Response) committee at SEAoNY (Structural Engineers Association of New York). The purpose is to prepare and plan for structural engineers to respond to any significant disaster where civil authorities need additional assistance in rapid structural evaluation and safety assessment. I find my committee work extremely fulfilling because it combines my professional expertise and my passion in public service.

What trend(s) do you predict to dominate your industry in 2019?
I think resiliency will be important moving forward. As we are facing more extreme weather, there is a tremendous need to assess and upgrade our infrastructure and to strengthen our post-disaster responses. These are complex problems and require close collaboration between owners, stakeholders, design professionals and contractors. 

What does it mean to you to be a team player? 
Collaboration. Sometimes the best solution is hidden at first, and takes a holistic understanding to find. I am a naturally curious person so I really enjoy both learning from others and sharing my expertise. That being said, there are also times one team member needs to step up and I don’t hesitate to do so either.