24 Jun Engineering Intelligence: Celebrating Women in Engineering at T&H
Each year, International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) recognizes the women whose ideas, leadership, and technical expertise shape the world around us. It is a global celebration of women engineers and the role they play in strengthening communities, advancing industries, and improving the built environment.
At Thomas & Hutton (T&H), our engineers help turn complex challenges into practical solutions. They lead projects, mentor future professionals, collaborate across disciplines, and apply their expertise to create infrastructure and spaces that improve the communities we serve. Their contributions are reflected in every stage of a project from planning and design to problem-solving and delivery.
As we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, we are proud to recognize the women across T&H whose intelligence, creativity, and leadership help move our projects and communities forward.
What Engineering Intelligence Means at T&H
The 2026 theme, Engineering Intelligence, speaks to the many strengths engineers bring to their work each day. At T&H, engineering intelligence combines technical knowledge with creativity, communication, practical judgment, and adaptability.
It’s the ability to understand the details of a design while keeping the larger purpose in view. It’s knowing how infrastructure, land, water, mobility, and community needs connect. It’s asking the right questions, working through complex challenges, and building trust with clients, teammates, and project partners.
Across T&H, women apply engineering intelligence in civil engineering, water resources, environmental services, transportation, structural engineering, surveying, planning, and related disciplines. Their work supports communities across the Southeast and beyond, helping shape the places where people live, work, learn, travel, and gather.
Spotlight: Lauren Garren, PE, Project Manager | Office: Augusta, GA | Service Line: Civil
Lauren Garren, PE, serves as a Civil Project Manager leading land development projects from due diligence and site planning through permitting, design, and construction. Her experience includes data centers, healthcare campuses, industrial facilities, and other complex site infrastructure projects. In her work, she collaborates with clients, agencies, and project teams to navigate technical challenges, coordinate multidisciplinary efforts, and deliver practical solutions that support long-term success. Her approach reflects the kind of engineering intelligence that combines technical skills with communication, curiosity, and care for the people impacted by each project.
“When I hear ‘engineering intelligence’ in conjunction with INWED, what comes to mind is how women think and communicate. This goes beyond what we learn in school and in textbooks. As engineers, we solve problems every day. As women, we add another layer because we communicate differently, bring empathy, and are highly detailed.”
A proud career milestone for Lauren has been leading site development efforts for large-scale data center projects, including serving as Engineer of Record and Project Manager on complex facilities that require extensive coordination, infrastructure planning, and regulatory approvals.
Spotlight: Hillary Aton, PE, Principal/Project Manager | Office: Charleston, SC | Service Line: Water Resources
Hillary Aton, PE, is a Principal and Water Resources Project Manager, helping guide projects from planning to design while coordinating with clients and her team. She plays an important role in keeping projects on track and helping clients navigate complex challenges with confidence. Whether she is managing project schedules, coordinating teams, communicating with clients, or reviewing project deliverables, she brings a thoughtful approach to solving problems and supporting project success. Her story shows how engineering careers can grow through curiosity, mentorship, and the willingness to take on new challenges.
Several of Hillary’s projects have received statewide and regional recognition, including multiple American Public Works Association (APWA) South Carolina Project of the Year Awards in 2018 and 2025 for the Forest Acres Drainage Improvements, as well as 2025 APWA awards for the 41st Avenue Stormwater Outfall Improvements on the Isle of Palms. These honors recognize not only engineering excellence, but also effective collaboration, phased implementation, and measurable community benefit.
“I’ve always loved building things, whether it was with Legos, Lincoln Logs, or turning my parents’ furniture and whatever I could get my hands on into forts and mini cities. I think a lot of us have those childhood memories of creating something out of nothing, and for me, that creativity naturally grew into an early interest in architecture and engineering.”
For Hillary, seeing a project move from concept to implementation is always rewarding, but what stands out most is hearing from the communities who benefit from the improvements. It’s a reminder that the work engineers do truly matters.
Spotlight: Maris Barden, CFM, Designer | Office: Charlotte, NC | Service Line: Water Resources
In her role as a Water Resources Designer, Maris Barden, CFM, helps design stormwater management solutions and supports project teams in meeting local regulatory requirements. Her work includes designing Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs), performing hydraulic and hydrologic analyses for stormwater drainage systems, and assisting with NFIP permitting efforts. Her work requires both technical precision and strong collaboration, particularly when evaluating drainage system performance, navigating permitting requirements, and developing designs that comply with local regulations. Through her contributions, she helps deliver solutions that support safe, functional, and lasting communities.
“My mom has always supported and encouraged me throughout my engineering journey. She saw how I thought about things and the subjects I excelled in school and always suggested I’d be a great engineer. She graduated from Georgia Tech with a civil engineering degree and has her Professional Engineering license. I never even considered I might want to pursue engineering until my second year of college, and it turns out she was right all along!”
Maris was especially proud to be selected as Charlotte’s Employee of the Year by her peers. Since starting at T&H, she admires the people who received this recognition and the way they show up for their teams. To be selected by her peers and know she may be making a positive impact on those around her was a meaningful career moment.
Mentorship, Representation, and Career Growth
International Women in Engineering Day is not only about recognition, but visibility.
When young women see engineers who look like them, lead like them, and solve problems in ways that feel meaningful to them, it becomes easier to imagine themselves in the profession. Representation helps open the door to a world of opportunity within the engineering profession.
At T&H, career growth is supported through hands-on experience and learning opportunities across the company. Programs and resources such as PaTHways (for career goal setting), T&H University, internships, early career development, employee ownership, and leadership opportunities help team members continue building their skills and shaping their careers.
That support matters at every stage. It helps young professionals ask questions, find their voice, and learn from experienced mentors. It helps emerging leaders grow into new responsibilities and create a team culture where different perspectives strengthen the work.
Advice for the Next Generation
For young women considering engineering, the women of T&H offer advice grounded in experience, encouragement, and a shared belief that the profession needs different perspectives.
“Own your path. Know that it can be heavy at times being in a heavily male-dominated industry, but there will be so many supporters and people who want to champion you along the way. Find those champions, but don’t forget to be a champion to others when the opportunity presents itself.” — Lauren Garren, PE
“Lean into your creativity. Don’t be afraid to speak up and share your ideas. Your perspective is valuable. Collaboration is where some of the best solutions come from.” — Hillary Aton, PE
“Don’t be afraid of new challenges. Each project brings its own unique set of opportunities to learn, helping you avoid becoming stagnant in your knowledge or skill set. By always striving to create the best design possible and learning from every project, you can continue to grow and become a better engineer each day.” — Maris Barden, CFM
Looking Ahead
As T&H celebrates International Women in Engineering Day, we recognize the women whose intelligence, creativity, and leadership strengthen our teams, our projects, and the communities we serve.
Their work reflects the best of “Engineering Intelligence” which is technical excellence, practical judgment, collaboration, and a commitment to solutions that improve everyday life. Today and every day, we are proud to celebrate the women across T&H who are helping build relationships and solutions for success.
Interested in building a career where your ideas can shape communities? Explore careers at T&H and learn more about how we support growth, mentorship, and meaningful work across the Southeast: www.thomasandhutton.com.
