Page 9 - CEGE Spring 2023

ALUMNIPROFILE CONT...
NANCY DAUBENBERGER
On leading Minnesota...continued
I’m proud to have always called Minnesota my home, I’m proud of
my MnDOT team and the service we provide to the people of Minnesota, and I’m proud to say that Minnesota
is a leading state in advancing a safe, equitable, and sustainable multi-modal transportation system.
On the benefits of a wide
perspective...
Minnesota is a large state geographically and very diverse. There are different challenges in Greater Minnesota and rural areas than what are faced in the metro area. An interesting part of being the Commissioner is that I get to be involved in very diverse challenges
and opportunities throughout the state. That has given me a deeper appreciation of all that we have in Minnesota—our different communities, cultures, resources, needs, industries, topographies, geologies, around the state.
On what engineers bring to the
table...
There are currently two engineers in the governor’s cabinet, Commissioner Kessler and me. The role of transportation commissioner has not traditionally been held by an engineer, although there have been a few over the years. It is not a requirement in coming to the position; however, my engineering background and over 23 years of experience with MnDOT gives me a unique perspective in taking on this position. I lean on my engineering background when we are making decisions on investments, policies, or processes. A lot of MnDOT staff are engineers or engineering technicians who use their skills to assess and recommend different options. My engineering background helps me understand the different approaches
KATRINA KESSLER
general societal benefits. I decided
I wanted to pursue engineering, particularly water resources. Most people I knew were going to work for consulting companies, so that is what
I did initially, but my heart has always been closer to the public service side. Minnesota has always been my home. I’m proud that I came back to the U for graduate school, and that I am now able to serve the state in this capacity.
I enjoyed the opportunity as a permitting engineer to see the types of facilities
in Minnesota. And I had a good experience learning about the diversity of technology and geography that exists across the state, and how that serves the customer whether that is an industry or a community. All those are really important factors that have stuck with me through my career.
Personally, I think engineers are good thinkers, good problem solvers, and they are pragmatic. They use data to drive decisions, and they are willing to look at data in an innovative way when looking at design or analysis
or communication. It is important to have those characteristics in positions across the workforce, but particularly in leadership. It is important to question how we are thinking about things, how we are using data, how we consider data from different systems or people. Then we look at how all of that can
be synthesized to produce a product that is defensible, soundly based in data and science, and one that can be communicated in a way that resonates with the public, elected officials, and regulators. These are characteristics
BRET WEISS, P.E.
do the right thing for Minnesota, and if you do that, good things are going to happen. We will be presented with more opportunities, which should create more growth for our businesses and our state. I was honored to lead the Minnesota Chamber as the Chair of their board. Business is the engine for Minnesota.
I will continue to be passionate about finding ways to support businesses in their growth and success.
Keeping an open mind and having a wide perspective on opportunities and challenges is needed in leadership. It allows you to stay nimble and adjust to make the most of what’s in front of you and your business. A narrow view or approach can limit what success looks like. As engineers, we’re trained to remove challenges and risks; with an open mind, we’re more likely to see what’s coming and can manage and mitigate to ensure we’re on the best path.
For years, engineers were executives, thought leaders, the ones everyone went to. Some say we have relegated ourselves to being the executors
of ideas; when somebody wants something done, they come to the engineers after decisions are made. What I hope I bring to the table is that we engineers are thought leaders. All the innovation and creativity and the amazing things that happen in this world—they are driven by engineers. There is a role for engineers to be leaders, not just the executors of ideas.
What I loved about being the chair of the board of our state Chamber was the opportunity to shine a light on all the impact we have as engineers. The largest companies in the state are
University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering | DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND GEO- ENGINEERING 9