Over the summer, ASCE members spoke: Rossana D’Antonio, P.E., G.E., ENV SP, F.ASCE, was chosen as the Society’s 2027 president-elect.
She was sworn into her new role at the Society’s annual business meeting on Oct. 17.
D’Antonio’s career is one of public service. For nearly 35 years, she worked at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, ultimately serving as deputy director. She currently sits on the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists and is executive director of NV5, a global consulting firm.
She has also been extensively involved in ASCE as a leader in Region 9, California, and as a past member of the Board of Direction.
Outside of her career, though, D’Antonio’s life is defined by an appreciation of many things: reading, the quiet reflection that comes with the setting sun, good food, and good company. She’d probably use “amazing” – her most-used word – to describe them.
D’Antonio recently told Civil Engineering Source all the details you want to know, from her favorite books to her ideal Saturday night to what she anticipates will become her next most-used word.
Civil Engineering Source: What was your first car?
Rossana D’Antonio: My first car was a hand-me-down Nissan Sentra with a stick shift. Since I didn’t know how to drive a manual, it made for some memorable and stressful driving experiences. The first car I bought myself was an automatic Acura Integra, and I appreciated every one of those gears shifting themselves.
Source: Favorite book?
D’Antonio: That’s like asking a parent to choose a favorite child! As a lifelong reader, narrowing it down to one book is impossible. Among my fiction favorites are John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” and “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Márquez. Both are powerful stories of families, resilience, and overcoming adversity. Most recently, I was deeply moved by Solito, Javier Zamora’s memoir about his solo journey from El Salvador to the United States as a nine-year-old child. It’s an unforgettable testament to courage, vulnerability, and hope.
Source: Are you a cat person or a dog person?
D’Antonio: I love both! But right now, our family’s fur baby is Luna, a shelter rescue that we believe may be a Bernedoodle. She may have started out as a rescue, but these days she completely rules our home, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Source: Favorite food?
D’Antonio: Pizza.
Source: What initially sparked your interest in civil engineering?
D’Antonio: Unlike many of my colleagues, I can’t say I always knew I wanted to be a civil engineer. For me, it was more of a journey of self-discovery. I started college as an architecture major but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit. I then transitioned to architectural engineering before ultimately finding my home in civil engineering.
What drew me in was the combination of intellectual challenge and tangible impact. Civil engineering not only pushed me to think critically and solve complex problems, it also gave me the opportunity to see the results of my work in the communities around me. There’s something incredibly rewarding about helping create and maintain the infrastructure people rely on every day and knowing that, as civil engineers, we play a direct role in improving quality of life for those we serve.
Source: At the end of a long workday, how do you relax?
D’Antonio: A quiet dinner with family, meaningful conversation, and a nice glass of pinot.
Source: What was the last movie you watched?
D’Antonio: Hamnet and The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Source: What is your favorite civil engineering landmark?
D’Antonio: The Golden Gate Bridge.
Source: Go-to pizza topping?
D’Antonio: Pepperoni. Much to the chagrin of pizza purists everywhere, I occasionally indulge in pineapple on pizza when I’m in the mood for something a little sweeter. Don’t judge me.
Source: What’s the word you use the most?
D’Antonio: I’ve noticed that I tend to overuse the word “amazing.” At this point, it’s probably become a little annoying to those around me. I’m thinking of switching to “extraordinary” just to keep things interesting.
Source: Ideal vacation spot?
D’Antonio: Any place that offers a hearty dose of culture and history. I love discovering stories embedded in a place, whether through its architecture, art, food, or people. For me, the best travel experiences are those that leave me with a deeper understanding of the world and its diverse cultures.
Source: If you could only keep one streaming service subscription, what would it be?
D’Antonio: Apple TV.
Source: What’s your favorite time of day?
D’Antonio: Sundown. It symbolizes the end of the day and gives me a moment to pause and reflect. No matter how the day unfolded, it’s a reminder that I showed up, gave my best, and can let the rest go.
Source: One thing ASCE members would be surprised to learn about you?
D’Antonio: I’m the daughter of immigrant parents, speak fluent Spanish, and spent five years living in El Salvador, where I graduated from the American School. Those experiences helped shape my worldview and instilled in me an appreciation for different cultures and perspectives.
Source: Favorite song?
D’Antonio: “Aim Higher, Dream Bigger” by Virushka; “Dance the Night” by Dua Lipa; and “Louder Than Words” by Jonathan Larson.
Source: When you spend time with family, what do you all like doing?
D’Antonio: It’s all about gathering around a table filled with good food, fine wine, and plenty of laughter. We can spend hours sharing stories, debating ideas, and enjoying each others’ company. For us, the conversation is just as important as the meal.
Source: What is the most challenging project you have ever worked on?
D’Antonio: For me, it wasn’t a single project but rather an assignment. Serving as the emergency manager for Los Angeles County Public Works was both the most challenging and the most rewarding role of my career. The responsibility of planning, preparing for, and responding to a wide range of natural and human-caused disasters demanded constant vigilance, adaptability, and sound decision-making under pressure.
Whether facing earthquakes, floods, wildfires, a pandemic, or periods of civil unrest, every incident presented unique challenges and valuable lessons. It was an assignment that pushed me professionally and personally, while reinforcing the critical role public infrastructure and emergency response play in protecting communities. Looking back, it was an extraordinary opportunity to serve the public during some of their most vulnerable moments and to grow as both an engineer and a leader.
Source: What is the quality you admire most in someone?
D’Antonio: Kindness.
Source: What is your favorite season?
D’Antonio: Choosing a favorite season feels a bit unfair because each one brings something different to my life. Summer gives me a sense of freedom, autumn brings a feeling of peace, and spring always fills me with hope and possibility. As for winter, let’s just say that the rain and my hair have never managed to form a productive relationship.
Source: What is your favorite color and why?
D’Antonio: Blue. Just because.
Source: Do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert?
D’Antonio: Definitely an introvert who has learned how to function like an extrovert. I recently discovered there’s a word for that: omnivert. So, I’m happily claiming that title.
Source: Favorite TV series?
D’Antonio: Ted Lasso is currently my favorite TV series. I love its classic underdog story, but what truly sets it apart is the way it combines humor, optimism, and heart. It never fails to make me laugh while also reminding me of the power of belief and kindness.
Source: What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
D’Antonio: Believe in yourself. Never give up.
Source: What’s your favorite hobby and how did you get into it?
D’Antonio: My parents instilled in me a love of books, so I’ve always been an avid reader. As a kid, I could spend hours under a tree in our backyard completely absorbed in a story. In fact, Stephen King famously described books as “portable magic.” I love that and completely agree. In fact, I recently became a published author and I'm proud to create a little magic of my own! Few things are as powerful as the ability of a great book to transport, inspire, and transform us.
Source: What would you like your legacy to be?
D’Antonio: I believe that every day, whether we recognize it or not, we are shaping a legacy. Because of that, I try to be intentional about the impact I leave behind. As I shared in my vision statement, I hope my legacy is rooted in public service – one defined by improving the lives of others.
Source: What are you looking forward to most as president?
D’Antonio: ASCE stands at the threshold of transformation. I like to think of it as a renaissance of sorts, a time of renewal. And while change can sometimes feel daunting, I see it as a time of tremendous hope, opportunity, and possibility. So, I’m excited to help lead ASCE into this next chapter.
Source: What is the most significant civil engineering project of all time?
D’Antonio: I would have to say the U.S. Interstate Highway System, born from the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956. Few infrastructure projects have had a greater impact on our nation. It connected communities across vast distances, fueled economic growth, expanded commerce, and created thousands of jobs.
At the same time, its legacy reminds us that infrastructure decisions can have unintended consequences. In some cases, highways divided neighborhoods, disproportionately affected disadvantaged communities, and contributed to environmental impacts that were not fully understood at the time.
One of the most important lessons civil engineers have learned is that success cannot be measured solely by technical achievement. Today, tools such as the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework help us take a more holistic approach, considering social, economic, and environmental impacts alongside traditional engineering objectives. As our profession evolves, we are becoming more intentional about designing infrastructure that not only serves communities but also strengthens and sustains them for generations to come.
Source: Who is your favorite fictional engineer (TV, movie, book)?
D’Antonio: MacGyver, without question. I’m not sure he ever carried a calculator or sat for the P.E. exam, but he had the engineer’s gift of looking at a seemingly impossible problem and finding a solution with whatever resources were available. Armed with little more than a paper clip, duct tape, and ingenuity, he made engineering look both practical and heroic.
Source: Beach or mountains?
D’Antonio: Beach.
Source: It’s Saturday night; where can we find you?
D’Antonio: You’ll find me at home, savoring a home-cooked meal made with love by the chef of the house, my husband, Freddie. Then it’s movie night on the sofa, complete with cozy blankets, good company, and an intermission dedicated to sharing a favorite dessert.
