Emilee Woods
34, Owner and Chief Engineer
Athena Engineering
Peachtree Corners, Ga.
Emilee Woods has built her career advancing some of Georgia’s most complex transportation projects while steadily growing into a respected operational leader and now an entrepreneur. A licensed professional engineer with a master’s degree in civil engineering from Georgia Tech, she spent 11 years at Parsons Corp., rising from entry-level engineer to manager of Georgia transportation operations. In that role, he led a multidisciplinary team of 60 people, strengthened project delivery systems and helped guide major infrastructure improvements across the state. Her work supported projects valued at more than $2 billion, including the I-75/I-575 Northwest Corridor Express Lanes, the 285/20 East Interchange Reconstruction and the Akers Mill Ramp Extension, on which she was the Engineer of Record.
In 2024, Woods founded Athena Engineering, a woman-owned civil engineering company focused on road improvements, safety and mobility. He has built the company’s operations from the ground up, emphasizing accountability, scalability and customer trust. His industry involvement includes active participation in the state chapter of the American Council of Engineering Cos., as well as completion of the American Highway and Transportation Builders Association’s industry leader development program. She has been repeatedly recognized as one of the most influential women in engineering in Georgia.
What is a challenge you have overcome in your career?
I’m always learning and evolving, and I don’t classify career challenges as “overcome.” But a recurring challenge I’ve learned from is rapid growth, both in my individual career and at Athena Engineering. For me, the key has been to stay true to both personal and company core values and principles and always ask myself if a given decision is consistent with these.
What has been your favorite or most interesting project you have worked on and why?
I have to highlight the Akers Mill ramp extension project in north Atlanta. The project posed significant technical challenges and involved many actors with diverse priorities and needs. I started working on the design of this project as a junior engineer when it was just a proof of concept and eventually served as the project manager and engineer of record. I learned a lot in the process, and I’m always interested in driving there when I can; Make sure to point this out to my kids every time.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
There are two things that stand out to me that I’m very grateful I heard at the right time in my career: Follow your North Star and act like you’re on stage.
What is your career advice for other young professionals in the industry?
Invest in relationships with clients, peers, mentors and supervisors. And say yes as much as you can.
What is the best part of your job?
I feel lucky because this question is difficult to answer. Now at Athena, I feel like I discover a new “best part” every week. What I’m passionate about right now is creating a workplace and culture that truly invests in employees. Seeing our team laugh together, learn from each other and be so comfortable and at home in our office is simply indescribable. Enabling their success means everything to me.
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