ITE Journal - August 2020 - 19

ITEJ: You have been active as a leader at ITE and in other professional organizations.
What would you say to encourage others who may be considering joining?
VAN PARYS: Being involved in ITE allows you to become an agent for change and
advancement by just being a member, and even more so by volunteering to take on a
leadership role or micro volunteer opportunities. Involvement in organizations allows us
to make a considerable contribution to the way we work together and for our clients. Your
involvement also increases your company brand and your personal brand recognition.
Typically, leadership roles are held by people who have been engaged for a long time-so
now is a great time to start or to recommit. I recommend if you are not already part of a
professional organization, get involved today!

Hillary Isebrands,
P.E., Ph.D. (M)
Senior Roadway Safety Engineer and Team
Lead, Federal Highway Administration

ITEJ: As a safety engineer, what is the importance of community outreach and
involvement when designing roads? How do individual communities need to be
uniquely considered for these designs?
ISEBRANDS: Whether it is walking, biking, or driving, every trip we take usually begins
and ends at someone's home. Our mission as roadway designers is to get people home safely.
For every project, we need to understand its purpose and strive to uphold the values, vision,
and goals of each community. By working with the public, data-driven roadway design
alternatives are produced that complement those local values. This also addresses existing
and potential safety risks to road users-which is important because, as I said, everyone
deserves to get home safely.

Education
Iowa State University:
Ph.D., Civil Engineering;
Master's of Science, Civil Engineering;
Bachelors of Science, Civil Engineering

ITEJ: Being a woman in the engineering profession may put you in the minority,
but there are several inspiring leaders in the field. Who has been instrumental
to you in your career?
ISEBRANDS: Throughout my career, I've been inspired and mentored by many different
people in the transportation profession. I worked very closely with some on projects, and
others who influenced me from afar. To me, the most important aspect of being inspired
by someone is watching how they interact with and listen to others, as well as how they use
innovation and their intellect to solve challenges. Some of the biggest inspirations to me are
Dr. Marie Walsh, the former director of Louisiana's Local Technical Assistance Program,
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Deputy Director (and
former FHWA Acting Administrator) Brandye Hendrickson, and Dr. Eugene Russell, P.E.,
RSP1 (F), Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering at Kansas State University and a past
chair of TRB's Committee on Roundabouts.

Professional Affiliations
Transportation Research Board
National Society of Professional Engineers
American Society of Civil Engineers

ITEJ: ITE was excited to learn that you were recently named FHWA's Engineer of the Year
and received the FHWA Administrator's Award for Engineering Excellence. What did
those recognitions mean to you?
ISEBRANDS: It is a true honor to be awarded both the FHWA's Federal Engineer of the
Year and FHWA Administrator's Award for Engineering Excellence. I work with so many
talented and dedicated people within FHWA. My colleagues challenge me every day to do
the best with the resources and abilities that I've got. I am passionate about our work, and
believe we can eliminate roadway deaths and serious injuries on all public roads. We are
making headway, but there is still a lot of work yet to do. itej

Fun Fact
Hillary enjoys spending time with her family
outdoors, road trips, and roundabouts!

ITE Involvement
Lane Widths Task Force
(under the Complete Streets Council), Chair
Roundabout Task Force, Past Chair

Honors and Awards
NSPE Federal Engineer of the Year
Top 10 Finalist, 2020
FHWA Engineer of the Year and
FHWA Administrator's Award for
Engineering Excellence, 2019
U.S. DOT Secretary's Safety Team Award, 2019
CalTrans Recognition Award, 2017

w w w .i t e.or g

Augu st 2020

http://www.ite.org

ITE Journal - August 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ITE Journal - August 2020