A Digital Transformation Leader
Alexis Walters, project manager and digital delivery lead at HNTB, is widely recognized as a trailblazer in digital transformation for transportation agencies. She seamlessly pairs bold ideas with practical execution, supporting transportation departments in their adoption of new technology.
For her leadership and vision, Walters was a clear choice for Roads & Bridges’ Top 25 Under 40.
“Within HNTB’s Digital Transformation Solutions practice, Allie has helped move from “ideas and aspirations” to repeatable patterns for how to engage, train, and deliver,” said Darin Welch, HNTB digital transportation solutions director. “She has been instrumental in standing up collaboration rhythms across offices, aligning leaders and practitioners around a shared playbook, and creating practical ways for new adopters to learn by doing.”
She obtained her professional engineer license in Utah and launched her career in roadway design before advancing to project management and standards development. Under the firm’s Digital Transformation Solutions department, she is responsible for vision, growth strategy and implementation.
Walters has led several state transportation departments as they transition to digital infrastructure to automate processes and solve problems seen on the field. Most notably, her leadership was necessary to achieving widespread results when developing the daily functions of the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) digital delivery program.
Her strategic framework and development plan led to a significant reduction in project timelines and successfully positioned the agency as a national leader in digital delivery.
“I am most proud of the opportunity I’ve had to play a key role in TxDOT’s digital delivery program, a statewide initiative that fundamentally transformed how transportation projects are developed, delivered and maintained,” Walters said. “As design lead and local project manager, I collaborated with the team to develop a strategic framework that aligned dozens of initiatives with agency goals and clarified stakeholder roles.”
Walters democratizes digital infrastructure, creating visual frameworks and guidance documents that clarify digital solutions, encouraging stakeholder adoption. She develops visual tools and matrices to bring large-scale digital transformation within reach for government agencies and further accelerate their adoption and avoid costly missteps.
“The result is quieter but meaningful progress: design teams adopting new methods with confidence, field staff feeling heard, and agency leaders trusting that change will stick because the workforce is ready for it,” Welch said.
Beyond the firm, Walters is active in the industry through her involvement in several committees and conferences. Walters’ engagement extends to speaking at several conferences and workshops. She also works with early-career professionals through mentorships and panels that connect interns with industry leaders.
“She also invests deeply in people. She’s shared what works and what doesn’t at industry venues like TRB, BuildingSMART and IHEEP, but her strongest proof is inside the teams she touches: more confident designers, better collaboration between disciplines, and project managers who feel supported as they adopt digital methods,” Welch said. “The recognition is deserved because her impact shows up in improved team culture and client confidence, not just in plans on paper.”
She perceives the industry’s biggest challenge as digital transformation at scale. Despite the adoption of digital infrastructure resulting in major efficiency gains, transportation departments can get bogged down by the immense amount of work involved in implementation.
“Transportation agencies are under pressure to modernize workflows, integrate data across the asset life cycle and adopt technologies like BIM for Infrastructure,” she said. “While these changes promise efficiency gains of up to 16% in capital project costs, they require overcoming entrenched processes, addressing interoperability and investing in workforce training.”
Wielding these digital tools beyond solely design and construction purposes is crucial.
“The opportunity lies in leveraging these tools not just for design and construction, but for long-term asset management and sustainability,” she said. “Those who embrace digital delivery and data governance will unlock unprecedented value, improving safety, resilience and cost-effectiveness across our transportation networks.
She advises young professionals to be quick to adapt to changes in the industry and to not forget their overarching mission of serving communities.
“Be curious, collaborative and courageous. The industry is evolving rapidly, and the most impactful professionals are those who lean into change rather than resist it. Learn the emerging technologies, but also understand the people side — change management, stakeholder engagement and communication are just as critical as technical skills. Seek mentors, ask questions and don’t be afraid to propose new ideas, even if they challenge the status quo,” she said. “Finally, remember that infrastructure connects communities. Every innovation you champion ultimately serves people. Keep that purpose at the center of your work, and you’ll make a lasting impact.”