Investing in Tomorrow: Why Celebrating Young Professionals Is Essential to Business Success 

by Liisa Andreassen 

In an industry where the competition for skilled talent has never been fiercer, engineering and architecture firms face a critical question: How do we build a workforce that not only performs today but leads tomorrow? For Langan, a firm with a strong presence across civil engineering and site development, the answer lies in a simple but powerful practice — celebrating young professionals. 

This commitment recently earned recognition for two of Langan’s emerging leaders: Colette DiLauro, a Senior Project Manager based in New York City, and Emily Mahoney, an Associate in Austin, Texas. Both were named 2025 Rising Stars by Zweig Group, joining an elite class of 25 young professionals recognized for their technical excellence, leadership and community dedication. 

But beyond the accolades, their recognition reflects a deeper business strategy that more firms should consider adopting. 

The Business Case for Recognition 

Recognizing young professionals isn’t just good for morale — it’s good for business. In the AEC industry, where demand for skilled talent consistently outpaces supply, firms that fail to invest in early-career professionals risk losing their competitive edge. 

“Recognizing our young professionals is essential to fostering their growth and building a strong foundation of early career talent within our firm,” Victoria Delligatti, Langan’s director of human resources, notes. “By celebrating their contributions and potential, we not only boost their confidence and engagement, but also signal that their development is a priority — encouraging them to envision a long-term future with us.” 

The numbers support this approach. Recognition programs directly impact retention rates and reduce costly turnover while strengthening the talent pipeline. When young professionals feel valued, they’re more likely to stay, grow and eventually step into leadership roles that drive innovation and business outcomes. 

Two Rising Stars, One Shared Impact 

DiLauro and Mahoney exemplify the traits that make recognition programs worthwhile. Both demonstrate the emotional intelligence, strategic thinking and accountability that define emerging leaders. 

DiLauro’s portfolio spans New York City’s five boroughs and extends internationally to projects like Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Sports City and Hellinikon Metropolitan Park. Beyond her technical achievements, she founded Langan’s Monthly Project Management Roundtable and serves on the firm’s Corporate Sustainability Committee, building infrastructure not just on project sites but within the organization itself. Her commitment extends to the next generation through her mentorship work with the ACE Mentor Program, where she helps high school students understand and prepare for careers in the AEC industry. 

Mahoney brings similar versatility to her work in Central Texas, where she serves as engineer of record for large-scale warehouse developments and leads confidential data center and renewable energy projects. Her expertise in Edwards Aquifer water quality design and regulatory permitting showcases the specialized technical skills that drive project success. Through her board role with CREW Austin and volunteer work with Girlstart and UT Austin’s Girl STEM Day, she actively works to increase opportunities for women in STEM fields — addressing one of the industry’s most persistent challenges. 

Both engineers have earned industry recognition beyond the Zweig Group award. Mahoney’s projects have received honors from the Tilt-Up Concrete Association and ACEC Pennsylvania, while DiLauro earned recognition from New York City DEP for sewer construction oversight. 

Getting Started: Practical Steps for Recognition 

For firms looking to implement or strengthen their recognition programs, Langan’s approach offers several practical starting points: 

• Establish formal recognition programs. Nominating employees for industry awards like the Zweig Group Rising Stars validates their contributions while elevating the firm’s profile. 

• Create internal development structures. DiLauro’s Project Management Roundtable demonstrates how emerging leaders can build knowledge-sharing platforms that benefit the entire organization. 

• Support professional association involvement. Both DiLauro and Mahoney actively participate in industry organizations, expanding their networks while representing the firm in professional communities. 

• Develop mentorship opportunities. Whether through formal programs like ACE Mentor or community initiatives like Girlstart, connecting young professionals with mentorship roles reinforces their value while building the industry’s future workforce. 

• Align recognition with values. Both engineers’ work on sustainability initiatives — from DiLauro’s corporate committee involvement to Mahoney’s environmental stewardship in project design — shows how recognition can reinforce organizational priorities. 

The Traits That Matter 

What should firms look for when identifying rising stars? Langan’s nominations highlight several key indicators: initiative to create solutions beyond assigned responsibilities, collaboration across departments and disciplines, resilience under project pressures, innovation in technical approach, emotional intelligence and alignment with organizational values. 

These traits manifest differently across individuals. DiLauro demonstrates them through program creation and international project leadership. Mahoney shows them through technical specialization and community advocacy. But both share a growth mindset — the willingness to learn, adapt and take on challenges that define future leaders. 

The Long-Term Investment 

Celebrating young professionals isn’t a one-time gesture — it’s an ongoing investment in organizational strength. Early-career employees often bring fresh perspectives and creative approaches that drive innovation. When firms recognize and nurture these contributions, they create cultures of appreciation where top performers want to stay and grow. 

In an industry facing persistent talent shortages and an aging workforce, firms that fail to invest in young professionals do so at their own risk. Those that follow Langan’s example — recognizing achievement, providing growth opportunities and celebrating emerging leaders —position themselves to thrive not just today, but for decades to come. 

The recognition of Colette DiLauro and Emily Mahoney as Zweig Group Rising Stars represents more than individual achievement. It reflects a business practice that transforms early-career talent into long-term leadership — and competitive advantage into lasting success.