Olga Lucila Marín Cardona, F.ASCE, a civil and structural engineer whose career spans more than three decades of professional practice, leadership, and service to the engineering community in Latin America, has been named a fellow by the ASCE Board of Direction.
Marín Cardona has led the structural design and seismic detailing of major industrial, commercial, educational, and residential projects in one of the most seismically active regions of the Americas. Her work has focused primarily on reinforced concrete and steel structures, combining rigorous analysis with practical solutions tailored to complex operational and seismic conditions. In addition to new design, she has conducted seismic vulnerability assessments and retrofit designs for existing and aging buildings, supporting the continued operation and safety of critical facilities.
Beyond project delivery, Marín Cardona has played a role in the advancement of engineering standards in Colombia. She has served on national technical committees for the update of Colombia’s Seismic Resistant Building Code (NSR-10) and the Steel Design Standard NTC 5832–2021, contributing to improved code-based practices and public safety. Her consulting experience also includes collaboration with international firms, advising on the adaptation of industrial structures to Colombian seismic requirements.
A longtime ASCE member, Marín Cardona has demonstrated sustained leadership within the Society. She currently serves as a Governor of ASCE Region 10, representing Latin America and supporting global engagement among members. Her ASCE service includes participation on the History and Heritage, CACEP–Ethics and Anti-Corruption, and JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) committees, as well as the SEI–ASCE 41-29 Committee on Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings. Through these roles, she has promoted ethical practice, inclusion, professional integrity, and international technical exchange.
Marín Cardona is also deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of engineers. She has served as a practitioner advisor to ASCE Student Chapters in Colombia and has supported student and young member engagement across Ecuador, Panamá, Perú, Costa Rica, and Brazil, helping connect emerging professionals with ASCE’s leadership and development resources.
She holds a master of science degree in engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a civil engineering degree from Universidad de Los Andes in Colombia.
