RICK is proud to celebrate International Women in Engineering Day! This annual day of honor is dedicated to recognizing the achievements of women in engineering and encouraging more girls and women to pursue careers in engineering.
Traditionally a male-dominated field, engineering benefits greatly from the unique perspectives, work ethic, and dedication that women bring to the field.
Women at RICK are in the details and the decisions.
Their leadership and technical insight help keep complex work moving and bring lasting value to the communities we serve.
Here’s what a few of our team members had to say about their careers, the inspiration behind their work, and their hopes for the next generation of female engineers:
Julia Moore, Associate Water Resources Designer at RICK, sees engineering as a form of storytelling. Whether she’s working through a technical challenge or building out a presentation, she brings a creative lens to the process. Her goal is to take complex information and make it clear and accessible to any audience.
“I love creating visuals that explain the problem, showcase the solution, and bring the supporting calculations to life.”
—Julia Moore, Associate Water Resources Designer
Emily Sipes, Associate Project Engineer, encourages women entering the field to trust themselves and speak up. Throughout her career, she’s leaned on a strong network of female mentors and peers who’ve helped her learn about navigating both professional challenges and the demands of motherhood. Now, she hopes to do the same for the next generation.
“My advice to a woman just starting out in engineering is to trust yourself, advocate for yourself, and don’t be afraid to take up space.”
—Emily Sipes, Associate Project Engineer
Growing up in Panama, Lyann Castillo, Assistant Project Manager at RICK, was drawn to civil engineering after seeing how the Panama Canal transformed her country. The canal stood out not just for its scale, but for the way it connected communities and created lasting impact. That early exposure to purposeful infrastructure set her on a path toward community-based work.
“I wanted to be part of something meaningful—to build projects that matter, that serve people, and that leave a lasting footprint on the world around us.” —Lyann Castillo, Assistant Project Manager
Joesetth Gallegos, Associate Engineering Designer at RICK, didn’t have a clear career path after high school, but she knew she liked math and helping people. Once she started college, the challenge and subject matter of her courses pulled her toward engineering.
“What interested me in engineering were the
challenging courses and the topics we covered.”
—Joesetth Gallegos, Associate Engineering Designer
RICK Principal Engineering Designer Hannah Rebello believes that curiosity is what keeps engineering rewarding. She encourages those just starting out to stay inquisitive and open to learning as much as they can.
“The engineering industry can be intimidating when you are first starting out, but engineering at its core is all about finding the best solutions.”
—Hannah Rebello, Principal Engineering Designer
We celebrate all the women in engineering who have contributed to RICK’s work and legacy. Their dedication and problem-solving advance not only the projects we deliver, but also the communities and industries we serve. RICK is committed to continuing our support for women in engineering and to creating opportunities for future generations to thrive.