Leading with Purpose

For more than a decade, Emilee Woods has helped design and improve the roads, bridges and highways that keep Georgia moving. A licensed professional engineer and Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission–certified design professional, she’s known for her technical skill, leadership and dedication to the communities her work serves. Her commitment to her community and to excellence earned her a spot on Roads & Bridges’ Top 25 Under 40.

Woods received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Auburn University and a master’s from Georgia Tech. Balancing full-time work while earning a 3.9 GPA, she demonstrated the focus and determination that would carry through her career.

Woods spent nearly 11 years at Parsons Corporation, one of the nation’s largest engineering consulting firms, starting as an entry-level engineer and advancing to Georgia operations manager for transportation. She led a team of 60 engineers and oversaw projects worth more than $2 billion while also serving as engineer of record on multiple projects.

Reflecting on her rapid rise, she told Roads & Bridges, “I’ve always had a natural inclination to solve problems and to find a better way to execute, which tends to bring responsibility with it. I’ve never been comfortable staying in a narrow lane and gravitate to the bigger picture. Taking on responsibility was never about advancement; it was a natural drive to support teams, succeed, and confront and solve challenges.”

During that time, she worked on some of Georgia’s most ambitious transportation projects, including the Interstate-75/Interstate-575 Northwest Corridor Express Lanes, the Interstate-285/Interstate-20 East Interchange, and the State Route 400 Express Lanes. Colleagues often note how she simplifies complex designs and keeps teams focused under tight schedules.

Her leadership has earned consistent recognition. She has appeared four times on Engineering Georgia magazine’s list of the “100 Most Influential Women in Georgia Engineering.”

“I chose to nominate Emilee because she truly exemplifies the future of Georgia’s transportation industry,” said Ahmet Urgen, president at Athena Engineering. “She consistently delivers successful outcomes, builds strong, collaborative teams, and leads with a people-first mindset grounded in technical excellence. This recognition reflects her ability to empower others, lead with purpose, and demonstrate how small, growing firms with a bold vision can make a lasting impact on Georgia’s transportation future.”

In 2024, Woods founded Athena Engineering, a certified woman-owned civil engineering firm in Atlanta. At 33, she launched the company with a vision to deliver meaningful transportation solutions while creating a culture rooted in quality and inclusion.

“Athena Engineering was founded on the belief that great projects and client outcomes come from empowered people and thoughtful service,” she said. “I wanted to create an environment that combined technical excellence with flexibility, intention and a curated client experience, while also building a culture where success feeds back to the people doing the work.”

Woods is equally committed to the engineering community. She participates in ACEC Georgia and the American Society of Highway Engineers, and she has served on Georgia Partnership for Transportation Quality subcommittees since 2021. She also helped Athena Engineering become an early sponsor of the ACEC Georgia Young Professionals Network, providing mentorship and growth opportunities for emerging engineers.

“Being involved has given me a broader perspective on Georgia’s transportation landscape beyond individual projects, shedding light on shared challenges like funding and workforce development, and connecting individuals and organizations who have to work together to advance solutions,” she said.

Her dedication extends beyond engineering. While at Auburn, she earned a minor in Hunger Studies and continues to volunteer with organizations like Feeding America and the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

The Akers Mill Ramp Extension demonstrates Woods’ hands-on leadership. As roadway design lead, project manager, and engineer of record, she steered the project through a complex corridor that involved widening bridges, building reversible ramps and managing utilities and tolling systems.

“It’s an honor to support the delivery of many major projects in Georgia, and seeing this infrastructure built and serve the community is incredibly rewarding,” she said. “But what has stayed with me the most is the people I’ve delivered them alongside.”

“I’ve learned more from collaborating with talented, dedicated professionals than from any single project,” she added. “This recognition speaks less to any one individual and more to what’s possible when talented people are given the opportunity to do their best work. On a personal level, it reflects a journey that was unimaginable to me as a little girl from humble beginnings in rural Alabama, and I am deeply honored for the recognition.”