More Than Engineers: Celebrating the Women of Apex on INWED 2025

This International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), we're celebrating the women of Apex and the many hats they wear - not just as engineers, but as mentors, volunteers, athletes, and Taylor Swift fans.

Keep reading to see how the women at our company spend their time outside of their 9-5s (and sometimes during - we're flexible here!).

Emalie Olson - Design Engineer

What she does at Apex: Emalie is our newest woman engineer to join our team, having graduated this past May! She is part of our field team and always ready to take on whatever is thrown her way - from designing home remodels to helping out with special inspections.

What she does outside of Apex: You can find her on the lake either relaxing or fishing, in the woods or a hunting blind, or just chilling at home.

On how her values shape her work: "I approach every project and inspection as if it were for my own home or building, meaning if I wouldn't be happy with the result, the client most likely won't either. I like to think I got this from my dad and how he builds each foundation he does as if it were for his personal home."

Gaby Liuzza - Sr. Project Engineer

What she does at Apex: Originally part of our Kansas City team, Gaby moved to Denver a little over two years ago and now works on residential projects at our Denver office!

What she does outside of Apex: Gaby enjoys hiking and spending time with her dogs - ideally both at the same time! She's also been involved with the Society of Women Engineers' Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day.

On advice to young women entering the field: "Trust your gut when it comes to your workplace. Don't let benefits and compensation get in the way of having a healthy work environment."

Jessica Geran - Sr. Project Engineer

What she does at Apex: Jessica designs single-family residential homes from our Kansas City office. She started at Apex as an intern more than 11 years ago and is pretty dang good at what she does!

What she does outside of Apex: Jessica is a woman of many interests! She loves going to concerts, birdwatching, watching TV shows and movies, whiskey, cheese, insects, Taylor Swift, and hanging out with her two greyhounds, Vanderlyle and Ada, and her cat, Henrik.

On advice to young women entering the field: "You're not alone if you feel like you don't belong sometimes. Imposter syndrome is a real pain in the butt. Always remind yourself that you earned your spot. It's also important to build a support network. Make friends with other engineers and women who get it. Lift each other up. Most importantly, take care of yourself. Set boundaries, make sure you keep a good work-life balance, and take breaks when you need them."

Kelly Hoiness - Project Engineer

What she does at Apex: Based in our Denver office, Kelly designs residential homes and is always happy to lend a hand to our Kansas City team when needed.

What she does outside of Apex: Kelly is an avid crafter who enjoys working with a variety of mediums like knitting, crocheting, weaving, and sewing. She's also been a dedicated weekly volunteer at a local cat shelter since 2018.

On how being an engineer shows up in other areas of her life: "I have been able to lend my engineering expertise to help out friends and family with engineering projects. I have assessed several houses for friends during the buying process to ensure they are buying a structurally stable house. My husband and I also love completing house projects that require a lot of engineer-brain planning and building."

Lauren Badeaux - Sr. Project Engineer

What she does at Apex: Lauren works remotely from her home in New Orleans, LA, focusing on residential projects. She visits her Kansas City teammates often, and we always make sure to head to happy hour at a local brewery when she's in town.

What she does outside of Apex: When she's not working, she's usually reading or baking up a sweet treat! She loves to travel and is always planning her next trip. She also loves to play and watch tennis and is headed to the US Open this summer for the third time!

On advice to young women entering the field: "Know that you can do this too! Ask questions, be present, absorb everything around you, and most importantly, believe in yourself."

Linda Estrella - Associate & Sr. Project Engineer/DevOps Manager

What she does at Apex: Linda splits her time between structural design work and leading impactful initiatives with our Research & Development team. Oh, and not to mention she is one of the first women at Apex on the track to ownership!

What she does outside of Apex: In her free time, Linda enjoys playing grass volleyball, investing in real estate and working on house projects, and exploring Denver's food scene. She's also very involved with her church community!

On how her values shape her work: "I take a lot of pride in the work I produce."

Nicole Henry - Project Engineer

What she does at Apex: Nicole works on commercial projects from our Kansas City office. While her primary focus is new construction design, she has a growing passion for forensics. You might catch her in the field performing structural assessments or designing repairs for existing buildings across the city.

What she does outside of Apex: Nicole enjoys all things outdoors - hiking, kayaking, camping, or just relaxing in a park with a good book. She's also recently gotten involved with the Kansas City chapter of Engineers Without Borders, where she participates in monthly community service events.

On how her interests shape her work: "I enjoy more hands-on activities and varieties in my day-to-day which is why I like to work on forensics projects or renovations of existing buildings. Each project is a little unique and it allows me to investigate and work through a few solutions before deciding on the best option."

At Apex, we're proud to work alongside these talented, multidimensional women who bring so much more to the table than just technical skill. This International Women in Engineering Day, we're celebrating the unique qualities, passions, and perspectives that make each woman engineer who she is - both in and out of the office.