Top 50 Women of Influence in Engineering

Congratulations to San Diego engineers Luvelyn Benitez, SE, and Rae Ferriolo, PE, on being recognized as “TOP 50 WOMEN OF INFLUENCE IN ENGINEERING” by the San Diego Business Journal

Luvelyn Benitez, SE | Senior Discipline Manager, Structural Engineering

Luvelyn is a 15-year veteran at Coffman with more than two decades of structural engineering experience in San Diego. Luvelyn has a passion for solutions and has established herself as a go-to resource for architects and contractors alike throughout her career. DPR Project Executive, Juan Munoz, supports that, “The one thing I love about Luvelyn is the connection she has with our teams. She is always available and willing to help when challenges arise. I have worked with a lot of structural engineers in the past, and I am confident to say that Luvelyn is and will forever be my GO-TO structural engineer!”

In addition to her regular full-time jobs of being a mom and providing innovative structural engineering for some of San Diego’s most prominent buildings, like the DBIA award-winning BioLegend campus, Luvelyn is highly active in the AEC community. She has served on the SEAOSD Board of Directors for two years and is heavily involved in various other committees. As the current chair of the SEAOSD SE3 Committee, she works to raise awareness and improve employee engagement, equity, and retention within the structural engineering profession.

Luvelyn is instrumental in professional mentoring and training Coffman’s young engineers on structural design and best practices for client support. Additionally, she often leads tours on her projects for college students and gives structural presentations at our local high schools. She has also supported the ACE Mentorship Program and was on the ARCE Advisory Committee at her alma mater, Cal Poly SLO, for three years from 2013 to 2016.

Rae Ferriolo, PE | Senior Discipline Manager, Electrical Engineering

Rae Ferriolo has 16 years of experience in electrical engineering for mixed-use, educational, military living, and recreational facilities. In addition to her regular full-time jobs as a mom and providing innovative electrical engineering for some of San Diego’s most prominent structures, like the award-winning Rex’s Roar statue at the San Diego Zoo, Rae has extensive experience in sustainable design, such as LEED, Savings by Design, 2030 Challenge, and NetZero. Rae’s project experience includes electrical consulting using National and California Building, Electrical, and Energy Codes.

Rae is also highly involved in the Coffman mentorship program which matches younger engineers in the company with a more seasoned mentor in the company. The program encourages a pathway for communication between employees that is built on a foundation of trust and comfort in a teamwork environment. The mentors help provide their mentees with career/business guidance towards the goals of both Coffman and the employee.

Rae is an instrumental part of Coffman’s electrical engineering department. She is a natural leader, a trusted advisor, and a veteran team member who has a huge influence on the projects we pursue and the success of our firm.

In her role, she must keep current and active on a wide and deep breadth of technologies for her consulting and engineering technology/electrical systems in the built environment.  Also, her passion and dedication are obvious to her clients and those around her. Her work allows clients to continue technology advancements in their respective fields (supporting the infrastructure that allows companies to grow and make technological advancements in the electric vehicle market, healthcare, R&D, and other market sectors).