2021 Women in Building Services: Lili Wang, BBS Architects, Landscape Architects and Engineers PC

Name: Lili Wang

Title: Electrical Engineer

Company Name: BBS Architects, Landscape Architects, & Engineers, P.C.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was young, I dreamed of being a doctor.

What trends will dominate your industry in the coming months?

Currently, saving energy and protecting the environment by switching to LED lights is becoming more common. Daylight controls, which dim lights when they sense excess brightness during the daytime, are also gaining popularity for the same reason. There is no doubt that solar power and other forms of clean energy are the current trend.

In the past year, what project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?

I had a project involving equipping an elementary school with solar panels. The energy generated can cover the entire school’s electrical bill and even have extra energy left over to provide some power to other schools in the same district.

What led you to your current profession?

My parents suggested for me to try engineering when I was preparing for college. So, I studied first aeronautic engineering during my undergrad years and then I earned my master’s in electrical engineering. A few years after graduating, I started my job as an electrical engineer at BBS Architects and have been here ever since.

Who was/is your mentor and how did s/he influence/help you in your career?

Kevin Cassidy was my mentor. He was a senior electrical engineer when I first joined BBS Architects. He provided me with a lot of guidance and imparted much of his knowledge of the electrical industry to me. Now I am a senior electrical engineer myself!

How do you contribute to your community or profession?

I teach our younger engineers and try my best to help those that come to me with questions.

What books or social media influencers would you recommend to other women?

I personally do not consume social media, but I would like to encourage every other woman entering building services to be strong. Currently, these fields are male dominated, but this does not mean that what you do is worth any less than what they do.