Dear SEAOI Members,

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, I hope you’re feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to take on new challenges. The start of a new year always brings opportunities to reflect, reset, and reimagine what’s possible — and I’m thrilled to embark on this journey with all of you.

This January, we’re kicking off the year with our Engagement Challenge: New Year, New Goals. We invite you to set and share your professional goals for the year ahead. Whether it’s pursuing licensure, expanding your technical expertise, spending time sharing your excitement for engineering with young people, or mentoring the next generation of engineers, there’s no better time to commit to growth and celebrate progress together. Share your goals with us on social media using #SEAOIEngagement and tagging the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois.

As for me, my goal for 2025 is to make engagement and volunteer opportunities more accessible to SEAOI members. To support this goal, I’m excited to announce two key initiatives:

• The Strength in Service Series: This new program highlights the diverse ways SEAOI members contribute to their communities and profession, offering inspiration and guidance for those seeking involvement. Register for the first free lunchtime Q&A HERE

• Reboot the Mutual Mentorship Program: Building on the success of our 2021 program, we’re bringing back this initiative to foster meaningful connections among engineers at all stages of their careers. We are currently seeking four engineers at different levels of their careers who are passionate about mentorship to help lead this effort. If you’re interested in shaping this impactful program, please reach out to us at office@seaoi.org.

Together, let’s make 2025 a year of growth, collaboration, and achievement. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish as a community. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to SEAOI and to our shared mission of advancing structural engineering.

Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

Jennie Traut-Todaro SE, LEED AP

President, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois