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Engineering projects have the power to transform public spaces; but what is their long-term impact, and how will they serve the people inhabiting those spaces? Nancy Pridal, PE, ENV SP, thinks about these questions often. As CEO and President of engineering firm Lamp Rynearson, she leads a team committed to enhancing communities through sustainable, value-driven infrastructure improvements.
“All our projects have an impact,” says Pridal. “We seek to build equity and add value through our work with the belief that a high tide raises all boats.”
Paying It Forward
Pridal is no stranger to the phenomenon that legacies are created when something impactful is passed on.
Thirty years ago, Pridal, then a young mom, was working at a real estate company while putting herself through college. She assumed she’d become a math teacher, but engineering caught her interest. Through her network, she was introduced to Paula Wells, the owner of an Omaha-based engineering firm and an industry pioneer.
“I walked into her office, and there were probably 10 Cabbage Patch Kids on a shelf above her desk—not what I pictured from an engineering firm CEO,” Pridal recalls. It turns out, Wells had a large family, including adopted children with special needs. “I realized then that I could be an engineer, even with children,” Pridal says. Invigorated, she forged a career path that eventually led her to Lamp Rynearson, where she has worked for 27 years, including the last seven as CEO and President.
The help she received along the way—mostly from “amazing women,” Pridal says—laid the groundwork for her own leadership style. She explains, “My personal vision statement reads: Lead with wisdom, grace, and authenticity while being a source of light to a hands-up culture that manifests in a sustainable future.”
This approach has influenced the firm’s inclusive policies on parental leave, hybrid work, intentional diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and opportunities for mentorship. For Pridal, these initiatives and policies make sense. “Studies show that organizations driven by purpose outperform other organizations,” she says. “Not only is it the right thing to do, but the economics of it work for the long term.”
Out in the world, Lamp Rynearson’s infrastructure projects compose its legacy. Affordable housing and sewer separation projects are investments in historically disenfranchised communities, as is the North Omaha Trail project, which connects a disinvested neighborhood to downtown Omaha via a walkable corridor adorned with murals. Other sustainability-minded projects include high-output solar arrays in Colorado and a 55-acre, mixed-use waterpark in Nebraska. Stakeholder engagement, building equity, and impact measurement were critical steps in these and all Lamp Rynearson projects.
Looking ahead, the firm is adopting a futurist mentality—by not only navigating and adapting to challenges but shaping the industry’s trajectory. “Through a human-focused approach, we’re ensuring future-ready resilience, sustainability, and smart growth,” says Pridal. “We’ll do this while cultivating a culture of curiosity and delivering unmatched experiences for our employees, communities, and stakeholders.”
“We seek to build equity and add value through our work with the belief that a high tide raises all boats.” —Nancy Pridal, PE, ENV SP
If anyone would like to learn more about Lamp Rynearson’s thought leadership, please check out their Legacy Listening podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or their website: https://lamprynearson.com/podcast/
Contact Info:
Name: Teddianne Vaught
Email: Send Email
Organization: Lamp Rynearson
Address: 14710 W Dodge Rd. Ste. 100 Omaha, NE 68154
Phone: 402-496-2498
Website: https://www.lamprynearson.com
Release ID: 89144577
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