Job description: Riley oversees freight- and transit-rail design practitioners across North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Over her nearly 20-year career, she has become a technical leader within HDR's national freight rail practice.

Why she's influential as a leader: Riley's leadership is evident in her mentorship of staff, her willingness to take on new professional challenges and her dedication to delivering successful projects for clients. Her influence and respect are rooted in her thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to every task. Within HDR and among clients, her input and approval are considered a bellwether, providing confidence to senior management and guiding those around her toward excellence. She leads by example, always the first to tackle a challenge or solve a complex problem. She's open to offering guidance but also encourages colleagues to think creatively and embrace new solutions. Her humility and commitment to lifting others up inspires those around her.