Margaret Herrera, P.E.
Margaret Herrera, P.E. has built a distinguished 30-year career in civil engineering, spanning both the public and private sectors. She currently serves as the Arizona Safety Practice Leader in engineering at Fehr & Peers, where she focuses on advancing transportation safety, applying the Safe Systems Approach, towards the reduction of serious injuries and death on roadways. Margaret’s dedication to safety is deeply personal—shaped by the loss of her father in a car crash—and professional, as she recognized early in her career that pedestrian access and non-motorized user safety were often overlooked in development projects. This combination of personal motivation and professional expertise has guided her lifelong commitment to creating safer transportation systems. Margaret’s professional experience includes 13 years as Transportation Safety Program Manager at the Phoenix Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), where she led regional safety initiatives, administered funding programs, and facilitated collaborative efforts among diverse stakeholders. She previously spent 11 years in the private sector and over 20 years in public service, accumulating extensive experience in transportation safety and engineering. In addition to her regional leadership, Margaret contributes at the national level as a volunteer expert panelist for the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) and is an active member of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Standing Committee on Integrated Transportation Safety Management and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), providing guidance on emerging best practices and innovative safety approaches. Margaret earned her B.S. in Civil Engineering Technology from New Mexico State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). Early in her education, she overcame undiagnosed dyslexia, developing alternative learning strategies that strengthened her resilience and determination—qualities that continue to define her leadership style. Margaret emphasizes education, systems-based thinking, and stakeholder engagement in improving roadway safety and serves as a mentor to young engineers, encouraging them to find their passion, build confidence through competence, and stay curious. Outside of her professional work, she earned a fitness trainer certification from Glendale Community College, and enjoys cooking, gardening, home improvement projects, and hunting, reflecting her belief in personal growth alongside professional achievement.
• New Mexico State University - B.S., Civil Engineering Technology
• Transportation Research Board (TRB)
• Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
• National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP)
What do you attribute your success to?
My parents raised us to meet and beat any adversity and that we could do anything. After my father was killed and Mom was left a widow with six children, ranging from seven years old to six months, she consistently demonstrated grace, determination, and great love. I have carried this through my education and career. I have also had a couple of great mentors along the way that took interest in my success.