The National Academy of Construction (NAC) in the US has elected Áine Brazil, vice chair of Thornton Tomasetti, as a member of its 2017 class. She was inducted October 26 at the NAC Annual Meeting, which was held in Washington, D.C. The 2017 class includes 28 new inductees and more than 300 leaders were considered for NAC’s rigorous nomination and election process. Brazil was inducted for her efforts as an executive leader in design and construction and for her inspiring leadership as a role model and supporter of advancing and professionally recognising women in the industry. She holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and a master’s degree in engineering from Imperial College, London. She is a Fellow of Engineers Ireland and won the International Engineer Award at the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards 2014. “The new members of the National Academy of Construction, like those before them, have earned the high honour of Academy membership through stellar careers and contributions to the design and engineering industry,” said Wayne Crew, General Secretary of NAC. Brazil has been responsible for the design and construction of high-rises and residential buildings as well as educational, institutional, healthcare, and hospitality projects. At Thornton Tomasetti, she identified a need for a more proactive role in supporting women within the firm, which led to the founding of W@TT (Women at Thornton Tomasetti) to provide support and mentoring for all female staff. In 2006, she was honoured as Woman of the Year by WX, New York Women Executives in Real Estate. Brazil has participated in establishing and updating the building code for the City of New York and co-chaired the Structural & Interiors workgroup for the Mayor’s Building Resiliency Task Force following Hurricane Sandy. She has been a mentor and is a board member for the ACE Mentor Program of New York. Read about her work on the New York skyline.