Foster’s company provides professional services to public and private sector clients in the field of civil engineering, including facilities management, program management, quality control, site safety, and utility coordination.
She began her career as a structural engineer with Bechtel Power Corp. in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She transitioned from structural engineering to infrastructure and transportation engineering as a design engineer with the Oakland County Road Commission (MI) and with positions in design, construction, and utilities/permits with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). She was appointed by Mayor Maynard Jackson as the Director of Highways and Streets for the City of Atlanta Department of Public Works.
Foster and her companies have received several local and national-level awards and accolades for contributions to the field of civil engineering and entrepreneurship, among them the USDOT Minority Business Enterprise of the Year, MDOT DBE of the Year, National Society of Black Engineers Award for Outstanding Entrepreneur, Michigan Chronicle Woman of Excellence, Dwight D. Eisenhower Fellow, King-Chavez-Parks Fellow, Great Lakes Center for Truck and Transit Research Scholar, profiles in Black Enterprise and Essence, and Initiation into the Order of the Engineer.
Her philanthropic and volunteer contributions include founding the Michigan State University Benefield-Foster Spartan Scholarship, donating a renovated home to Grace Centers of Hope (Pontiac, Michigan), serving two terms on the Michigan State University College of Civil Engineering Advisory Board as well as the College of Engineering Alumni Advisory Board, and serving as a member on the Michigan State University Broad Executive Forum Board. In 2019 she was appointed to the Guilford County (NC) transportation board.
In addition to her leadership and technical contributions, Foster volunteers to support the development of future leaders by serving as an ASCE Mentor/Coach and as a Queen’s University (NC) McColl School of Business Leadership Coach. She is a board member with the ASCE North Carolina Section Northern Branch, serving as the liaison to North Carolina A&T State University, where she desires to disseminate her knowledge and experience as an engineer, entrepreneur, and author to assist students with their transition into great professional careers in their chosen area of expertise. Foster’s own mentors have included Charles S. Davis, James Dragun, Alphonso Williams, and her father, George Benefield Jr.
Foster is an International Coach Federation ACC Certified Coach, is OSHA 30 certified, and has obtained her construction management diploma from North Carolina State University. Her publications include For Love and Money: Seven Guidelines for Achieving Success in Your Home and Business.
She received her bachelor's degree in civil and environmental engineering from Michigan State University, her master's degree in civil engineering from Wayne State University, and her doctorate in civil engineering from Michigan State University. She is a licensed professional engineer in Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, and South Carolina.
