Henderson Engineers Vice President and Director of Kansas City Operations Julie Pierce was selected in the 2018 Women Who Mean Business class by the Kansas City Business Journal. Pierce was one of 25 honorees for the award that goes to women at the top of the business world in Kansas City.

“Julie joins an elite group of successful businesswomen in Kansas City with this selection,” Henderson President & CEO Rich Smith said. “She has been a difference maker for our firm and in the Kansas City community for more than two decades. Her vision, passion, and integrity make her an excellent choice for this honor. We could not be more proud and congratulate her on a well-deserved achievement.”

Pierce became the director Henderson’s office in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, in 2015. She serves on the firm’s practice steering committee, which is responsible for strategic guidance of all company practices, including monitoring, review, and implementation of processes across the firm. She is also a sports and recreation, higher education, and corporate practice leader, helping lead national efforts in tracking, teaching, and selling those services. Her business development responsibilities extend from coast to coast in connecting colleagues and clients with practice experts.

She is also a founding member of Empow[HER], Henderson’s dedicated women’s network that inspires development for women leaders throughout the firm. Empow[HER] also focuses on diversity.

Within the Kansas City area, Pierce’s community contributions include the Downtown Council of Kansas City (vice chair, chair of business retention and attraction committee), AIA Kansas City (board of directors, public director, education committee), Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) – KC section, and her alma mater, the University of Kansas School of Engineering (architectural engineering advisory board, Henderson Engineers Illumination Laboratory, KU CEAC Academy). She has civic and volunteer experience with Lead to Read KC, ACE Mentor, Future City Competition, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, Kansas City Sports Commission, and as a KC Chamber leadership delegate. Pierce has served as a guest presenter and lecturer at the University of Missouri – Kansas City, University of Kansas, and University of Arkansas.

Throughout Kansas City, Pierce has led and contributed to the restoration, growth, design, and future development of numerous iconic institutions, including Union Station, KC Central Library, Hy-Vee Arena (formerly Kemper Arena), Catholic Center (formerly the New York Life Building), and the new single terminal at KCI Airport.

In 1998, Pierce joined Henderson as a project manager and lead electrical engineer. She founded Henderson’s first specialty service – architectural lighting – during her first year with the firm and later served as the director of architectural lighting from 2002-2010. She was promoted to associate in 2004 and then to vice president and design team principal in 2010.

Pierce championed the company’s shift to a practice-based design approach and serves as a resource to all of Henderson’s practices.

To be considered for Women Who Mean Business recognition, candidates must be an entrepreneur, highest-ranking female or highest-ranking female reporting to a female CEO, or a partner leading a practice group or serving on an executive committee.

Henderson’s Chief Financial Officer Dana Kettle was a 2013 KCBJ Women Who Mean Business honoree.

Pierce will be honored along with the rest of the 2018 class at an awards luncheon on August 24^th.