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2025 Civil Engineer of the Year

The 2025 Austin Branch Garabed A. Harutunian Civil Engineer of the Year is Genest Landry, P.E., PMP.

Genest Landry is the Assistant Director of Project Delivery in the Capital Delivery Services Department at the City of Austin. She oversees a group of dedicated project and construction management professionals responsible for the designing and constructing infrastructure that keeps Austin thriving.

Originally from south Louisiana, Genest holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. During her time at ULL, she was an active member of the ASCE student chapter and participated in the school’s concrete canoe design competition. Balancing school, part-time jobs and extracurricular activities, she graduated cum laude and debt-free in 2004.

In 2004, Genest moved to Austin to earn a master’s degree in Structural Engineering from the University of Texas. She focused her studies on bridge engineering, delving into the technical complexities of structural analysis and design. As part of her graduate work, she completed a departmental report that explored the socioeconomic impact of bridge aesthetics and design on surrounding communities, merging technical approaches to transportation design with community outcomes. This experience laid the foundation for her career-long focus on delivering impactful projects that balance technical precision with public benefit.

Genest began her career in transportation engineering, specializing in bridge design and transportation project management for 11 years. In 2017 she transitioned from the private to public sector by joining the City of Austin’s Project management Division. There, Genest discovered her passion for public service and her ability to drill down into project details while maintaining a clear focus on mission and overarching goals. This combination of technical expertise and natural leadership skills has propelled her career at the City of Austin, where she has served as Project Manager, Supervisor, Division Manager, and now Assistant Director.

Throughout her career, Genest has been a strong advocate for STEM fields, working as a volunteer and mentor with organizations such as the University of Texas, GirlStart and ASCE. She has been actively involved in the Austin Branch and Texas Section of ASCE since 2014. She has held multiple positions on the board of the Austin Branch and is now serving as the Vice President of Educational Affairs for the Texas Section.

Genest believes that making a difference requires actively showing up. In addition to her advocacy in the engineering sector, she has shown up for Austin by serving on the board of her local neighborhood association, volunteering for Austin Pets Alive!, mentoring youth through outdoor challenges with Explore Austin, and actively donating and participating in the award of community grants through Impact Austin.

Genest Landry’s career reflects a dedication to fostering innovation in engineering, supporting the next generation of STEM professionals, and building a sustainable and equitable future for her community.

See list of past winners here.