Rachel Friend, PE, CSM
Rachel Friend, PE, CSM, is a seasoned environmental engineer and project manager with a 22-year career spanning municipal and coastal resilience projects. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering with a minor in Civil Engineering from Old Dominion University and has served the past three years at RK&K as a Senior Project Delivery Leader. Rachel specializes in leading flood mitigation and resiliency initiatives across Virginia, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. Her expertise includes stormwater master planning, BMP design, conveyance systems, pump station analysis, tidal gates, levees, and comprehensive modeling, delivering practical solutions to the unique challenges of coastal stormwater management. Among her longest-running projects is the Lake Bradford Flood Mitigation Program in the City of Virginia Beach, active since 2017 and funded by a 2021 bond referendum.
As the chair of the national Certified Stormwater Manager (CSM) Council through the American Public Works Association (APWA), Rachel is a strong advocate for ethical budgeting and honest project execution, advising municipalities to prioritize sustainable, long-term outcomes over underbidding. She has received recognition for her innovative approach, including the Innovation Award from the City of Chesapeake for cost-effective trail compliance and water quality methods. Throughout her career, she has managed projects from concept through construction, collaborating closely with her husband, a construction professional, to enhance project design and practical implementation.
Rachel is deeply passionate about resiliency planning, environmental sustainability, and advancing women’s leadership in engineering. Her work is guided by integrity, transparency, and innovation, and she remains committed to mentoring teams while delivering solutions that strengthen communities and protect natural resources. Inspired early by her father, an aquatic biologist, Rachel continues to leverage her technical expertise and collaborative leadership to create safer, more resilient cities for the future.
• Old Dominion University - BS
• Innovation Award
• American Public Works Association
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to integrity, collaboration, and lifelong curiosity. I strive to do what is right for both the project and the community, rather than taking shortcuts for financial gain. Maintaining strong ethical standards, working alongside dedicated teams, and staying passionate about helping cities become more resilient to flooding have all been essential to my growth. Growing up with a father who was an aquatic biologist instilled in me an early fascination with water quality and environmental systems a foundation that continues to inspire and guide my work today.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is, “Don’t compromise your integrity for convenience; your name and reputation are your most valuable assets.” This principle has guided me throughout my 22-year career, reminding me that the quality and honesty of my work are far more important than short-term gains.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give to young women entering my industry is, “Don’t be intimidated by the male-dominated environment; your perspective brings strength, not competition.” I encourage young women in engineering to speak up, share their ideas confidently, and embrace collaboration. Resilience and technical skill are most powerful when paired with authenticity and clear communication.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in municipal engineering today is funding limitations for resilience and climate projects. Many cities struggle to advance infrastructure plans due to slow or unpredictable grant cycles. At the same time, I see enormous opportunity in helping municipalities prepare early for grant eligibility, ensuring that critical projects are ready when funding becomes available. I also believe that federal support for flood mitigation and climate adaptation will continue to shape the industry over the next decade, creating new avenues for meaningful impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are integrity, transparency, and innovation. I prioritize honesty and accountability, particularly when managing multimillion-dollar municipal projects, and I believe transparency is key to building trust with clients and stakeholders. Innovation drives progress in addressing long-term environmental challenges. Personally, I value balance, spending time with my family and working alongside my husband, whose construction expertise often complements my engineering perspective.