Kendall Williamson – Class of 2009
Career: Regional Manager of Community and Industry Engagement at AECOM Hunt & 2024 ENR Midwest Top Young Professionals Award Recipient
by Joliet West Journalism Student Sania Taylor
Kendall Williamson is a proud Steelman alumnus shooting for the stars. As Regional Manager of Community and Industry Engagement at AECOM Hunt, Williamson has made waves by addressing the elephant in many rooms – diversity in the workplace. Recently publishing an article on the topic in Construction Tech Review, Williamson’s advice to corporations regarding the topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is to “create authentic, genuine goals. Be forward. Be intentional. Reactive goals lack substance and will ultimately lead to failure.”
A 2013 graduate of Columbia College Chicago, Williamson has received accolades for achievements in his career, and the knowledge, insight, and perspective he adds to the topic of DEI. He was selected by Engineering News-Record Midwest and recognized as a 2024 Top Young Professionals and recipient of the Greater Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards: Community Impact Project of the Year Award. Williamson is also committed to giving back to the community. He is a member of the AECOM Global Steering Committee and serves on the Board of Directors for the Harvey Brooks Foundation in Joliet, IL and on the DEI Committee for Professional Women in Construction – Chicago Chapter.
When asked what advice he would give to students, Williamson replied, “Each and every day has a purpose. Our goal is to find that purpose and live in it. Learn from the lesson that each day brings. Never stop learning. Never stop unlearning. Never stop growing. Never stop thriving.”
