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Employee Exclusive: Get to Know Terri Laurence

Terri Laurence, Principal and Mechanical Engineer at CMTA’s Boston office, has been a trailblazer in the engineering industry throughout her 48-year career. Since joining the firm in 1993, her technical expertise, leadership, and commitment to excellence have driven impactful results across diverse market sectors. Yet, Terri's legacy extends far beyond her professional achievements—her career has been equally defined by her role as a mentor and pioneer for women in the AEC industry. In this employee spotlight, Terri reflects on the challenges that shaped her career, the unique perspective she brings to the field, and her dedication to fostering greater diversity within the profession.

Encouraged by her parents to pursue her passion for math and science, Terri has consistently challenged stereotypes and forged paths for women entering the profession. During college, she was among the third class of women admitted to an institution that had been male-only for more than a century, while early in her career, she recalls being the sole female drafter among 75 engineers—initially intimidating yet pivotal experiences that fueled her passion to strengthen diversity in engineering.

Over nearly three decades at CMTA, Terri has led initiatives to foster an inclusive culture, recognizing that diverse perspectives drive innovation and success. Her efforts have contributed to the Boston office achieving a remarkable 36% representation of female engineers—far exceeding the industry average of 8%. By cultivating an environment where women are empowered to thrive, innovate, and lead, Terri has inspired the next generation of engineers and laid a foundation for greater representation and leadership opportunities for women in the field.

Terri credits her family—her husband of 43 years, who is also a mechanical engineer, and their two sons and their families—as a source of unwavering support. Their encouragement has empowered her to grow both professionally and personally, as she continues to make a meaningful impact on those around her and the engineering community at large.

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