Georgia Engineering Magazine has named four City of Savannah leaders to their annual list of the 100 Most Influential Women in Georgia Engineering, recognizing women who are shaping the state’s infrastructure landscape through innovation and bold leadership.   

The honorees are: 

• Faye DiMassimo, Chief of Planning and Economic Development

• Cristy Lawrence, PE, LEED AP, MBA, F.ASCE, Senior Director of Capital Projects

• Julie McLean, PE, CFM, F.ASCE, Senior Director of Development Services

• Jennifer Roach, PE, CFM, F.ASCE, Deputy City Engineer

“Team Savannah is fortunate to have these brilliant engineering minds working each day on the present and future challenges of our infrastructure,” City Manager Jay Melder said. “We are experiencing unprecedented growth in our region. Faye, Cristy, Julie, and Jenn are pivotal contributors, problem-solvers, mentors, leaders, and role models that will help us properly shape the future of our built environment.”   

The annual list features women across Georgia representing every facet of the engineering industry. Nominations are made by peers and selected by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC). Georgia Engineering Magazine is ACEC Georgia’s industry trade publication.   

This marks the fourth consecutive year DiMassimo has been named to the list. With over 40 years of experience at the federal, regional, and local levels, she has led multimodal transportation systems and infrastructure programs in Atlanta, Cobb County, Nashville, and Savannah.  

Lawrence is a seasoned civil engineer with over 30 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. This marks the third time she has been named to Georgia Engineering Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Women list, having also received the honor in 2018 and 2024. She has led the City’s Capital Projects department for nearly seven years, successfully completing over $300 million in capital projects. She also serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Savannah Engineering Academy, a nonprofit STEM summer camp.  

McLean has served the City for 23 years, managing public capital improvement projects exceeding $150 million and overseeing regulatory plan reviews, permitting, and inspections for public and private development valued at more than $7.5 billion. As a licensed Professional Engineer and Certified Floodplain Manager, McLean brings 37 years of experience in civil engineering design, construction, and management.   

Roach, the City’s deputy engineer, enforces the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, ensures compliance with FEMA’s Community Rating System, and manages the program responsible for site permitting and inspections for development. She joined the City in 2023,after 17 years as a project manager at a local engineering firm, where she was also recognized on this list multiple times.