2017 40 Under 40: Maria Lupo, LEED AP; 30

Project Manager, Controls Engineer, Senior Associate, Environmental Systems Design Inc. (ESD)

By Jack Smith, Content Manager, and Amara Rozgus, Editor-in-Chief May 15, 2010

Maria Lupo, LEED AP; 30

Project Manager, Controls Engineer, Senior Associate, Environmental Systems Design Inc. (ESD), Chicago

BS Systems Engineering and Design, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Lupo is a project manager and building-automation specialist for ESD’s automation team, which specializes in technically complex projects requiring resilient, flexible infrastructure for clients. She has successfully managed automation design and commissioning projects while serving as lead automation designer for commercial high-rise construction, renovations, mission critical data centers, and health care markets. Lupo has led innovative designs with HVAC controls and integration of smoke control strategies, electrical power monitoring, and lighting controls. She is a member of ESD’s internal innovation team (ESDi) and was selected by her peers to contribute to the group’s goals. ESDi was created to bring about change from the bottom up, allowing anyone’s unconstrained ideas to be considered. The group focuses on innovation in engineering design, project-delivery processes, and service offerings across the firm. Lupo became a For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) robotics mentor at Northside College Prep High School, where she mentors students after school and on weekends as they build their creations for competition each year. She assists with teaching modeling software, how to use power tools, explaining proportional-integral-derivative loops, and teamwork skills. After graduating from the University of Illinois, Lupo continued her involvement on campus by presenting for the U.S. Green Building Council student organization, which she founded as a student. One of her more relaxing and thrilling hobbies is riding her motorcycle on open scenic routes. She also enjoys playing volleyball, soccer, and running. She completed her first long-distance run in Chicago at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon. In addition, Lupo enjoys creating artwork during her free time. She especially likes pottery, mosaic, and drawing Disney characters.