YMF

Assunta Daprano (AECOM)

Ms. Daprano is a Project Manager in the Goods Movement/Transit Business Line at AECOM. With almost a decade of experience, she specializes in reviewing and facilitating projects impacting railroad facilities and conducting track inspection fieldwork. Her notable work includes serving as the Project Manager for Amtrak’s Utility Validation Program, Project Manager for several tasks under the Amtrak PM/CM Contract and Project Lead of CSXT Public Projects GEC. Her experience includes reviewing design documents, shop drawings, construction procedures, and site inspections for wide-ranging projects. Assunta also has vast experience coordinating projects with railroad employees and project sponsors.

Assunta graduated from Drexel University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a concentration in Construction Management. She also holds a Graduate Certification in Railroad Engineering from the University of Delaware. Assunta is an active member of the America Society of Civil Engineers, serving as the Vice President of the Philadelphia Younger Member Forum, the Assistant Secretary of the Philadelphia Section and a Practitioner Advisor for the Drexel ASCE Chapter. She is also a member of ASCE's Committee on Student Members. Lastly, Assunta is a member of the Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS), the Engineer's Club of Philadelphia, and the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA).

In her spare time, Assunta enjoys traveling with her partner Joe and friends, visiting train museums, gardening, reading with her cats, and cooking. She is also an avid railroad enthusiast (railfan) and hopes to one day learn how to operate a diesel locomotive.

Kevin Walsh (HNTB)

Kevin Walsh is a transportation engineer at HNTB in the Philadelphia office. Kevin has been involved with ASCE Philadelphia since joining in 2009 as a student member while attending Temple University and has been on the Younger Member Forum (YMF) board for ten years.

As a transportation engineer, Kevin leads the design and coordination of roadways, site development, utilities, bicycle and ADA accessible facilities, permitting, and plan preparation and review for DOT and other agencies. Kevin earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Temple University in 2014.

Kevin is in his tenth year on the ASCE Philadelphia YMF Board, currently serving as the Secretary, where he is responsible for managing the YMF messaging and communications committee. Kevin has also served as the Treasurer, Social Events Chair (two years), Civil Engineering (CivE) Club Chair (two years), Technical Events Chair, Professional Development Chair and Student Transition Chair. Having served on the YMF board as the elected Treasurer and in a variety of appointed positions, Kevin is well prepared to serve as the YMF Secretary.

Kevin received the ASCE Philadelphia Section Community Outreach and Service Award in 2017.
Kevin received the ASCE Philadelphia Section Young Civil Engineer of the Year in 2022.

Kevin also serves as Secretary on the Temple University College of Engineering Alumni Association Board.

In his free time, Kevin enjoys golfing, biking, grilling and woodworking.

I appreciate your vote for Vice President on the 2024 ASCE Philadelphia YMF Board.

Christopher Medora (AECOM)

Christopher Medora is a Traffic Engineer with AECOM in their Philadelphia office. He works on a variety of projects for clients across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia. His experience focuses on the design of traffic control, signing and pavement markings, bicycle facilities, and traffic signals, both permanent and temporary, as well as performing analyses and operational studies. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania and holds his Envision Sustainability Professional certification.

Chris, or CJ, has served five years on the YMF board and currently serves as the YMF’s Treasurer. Prior to serving as the Treasurer for the YMF, CJ served in the roles of K-12 Outreach Co-Chair, Student Member Transition Chair, and Awards Chair. During his time as a student at Villanova University, he was actively involved in the YMF’s outreach and community service activities in addition to his roles at the student chapter level. He graduated in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and minors in Mathematics and Theology.

At the Society level, CJ is a member of the ASCE Committee on Developing Leaders, and a founding member of the ASCE Committee on Student Conferences and Competitions. He also serves as a Practitioner Advisor to the Villanova University ASCE Student Chapter.

In his free time, CJ enjoys spending time with friends and traveling.

Christian Antisell (Philaport)

Christian is a Project Engineer at PhilaPort (the Port of Philadelphia) where he manages the design and construction of repairs to the Commonwealth's port infrastructure. Prior to PhilaPort, Christian was a Highway Designer at TPD, where he worked on a variety of projects for public and private clients. Christian graduated with his BSCE from Widener in 2019, where he is now a practitioner advisor for the ASCE student chapter.

During his four-year tenure on the YMF board, he has led the planning and execution of YMF Phillies Tailgates, Kickball Tournaments, Winter Mixers, Happy Hours, and countless K-12 outreach events - managing a gross events budget of nearly $10,000 over his tenure. He is confident in his ability to manage the YMF's finances, advocate for continued funding from the section, and seeks to fine tune the organization's event planning process, while maintaining event affordability and DEI efforts.

Christian resides in Fishtown and enjoys jogging and playing soccer throughout the city. In his free time, he enjoys lounging with his cats, playing guitar, snowboarding, and attending matches at Subaru Park.

Kayla Nelson (Schnabel Engineering)

Nelson is a Senior Staff Professional at Schnabel Engineering in the Geostructural Team. Her work includes preparation of construction plans, performance of geotechnical/structural analysis and design calculations, and construction observation and testing. Kayla’s attention to detail and organization skills aid in the collaboration of her team and providing clients with high-quality and consistent deliverables.

Kayla graduated from Widener University in 2019 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. She is an active member of the Philadelphia Section YMF, having served in the roles of Social Media Chair (1 Term), College Contact Chair (2 Terms), and Technical Events Chair (Current Term). She is a volunteer member of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee and participates in YMF community service events. Nelson has represented the Philadelphia YMF at two Younger Member Leadership Symposiums and three ERYMCs. At the society-level, Kayla is a Corresponding Member of the Committee on Student Members (CSM).

In addition to her involvement in the YMF, Kayla is involved in the Delaware Valley Geo-Institute (DVGI); She currently serves as a Director on the Board. As Director, she manages their LinkedIn Page and leads their Regional GeoWall Student Competition efforts. Nelson is also an active member of SWE; She served as SWE Philadelphia’s FY23 Secretary and chaired the Section’s Nominating Committee for the FY24 election. As a student, she served Widener University’s SWE chapter as President (2 Terms), Secretary (1 Term), and SGA Rep (1 Term). Kayla is enthusiastic about the possibility of serving as your next Treasurer.

Appointed Positions

Are you interested in serving as an Appointed Officer on the ASCE Philadelphia YMF Board?

The YMF calls on its members each year to serve on the YMF Board. Current positions, excluding the Executive Board, are appointed by the current, past, and incoming YMF President. Every effort is made to give motivated individuals roles aligning with their passion. A list of positions from this past year and brief descriptions can be accessed here.

If you would like to be considered for the 2024-2025 term year YMF Board, please email YMF President, Kirsten Kennedy (Kirsten.Kennedy@mbakerintl.com), by no later than 11:59 PM EST on Monday, May 20, 2024. In the email, please rank your top three preferred YMF Board roles and why. Let us know if you have any questions about Appointed Officer positions!