2020 40 Under 40: Julia Ingersoll, PE, CDT, 32

Project Manager, Senior Mechanical Engineer, McGuire Engineers, Chicago; BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison

By Chris Vavra and Amara Rozgus May 14, 2020

Ingersoll has led several mechanical systems design for various space renovations including hospitals, manufacturing, educational and corporate facilities. She has experience in commissioning major mechanical systems and certain process systems including: chiller plants, air handling units, exhaust systems and clean rooms. As a project manager for McGuire Engineers, she has led the Dayton’s Project, which is an historic 1.2-million-square-foot renovation in downtown Minneapolis. The project is designed to include a roughly 50,000-square-foot food hall, retail spaces and commercial office spaces. Ingersoll’s creativity and design innovation has been crucial as she collaborates with many different people to achieve these goals while preserving the historic fabric of the building. She also has extensive experience in health care design and was a key player of the design for the 27-story Rehab Institute of Chicago (now Shirley Ryan AbilityLab). She was responsible for mechanical systems design and coordination for the impressive multidisciplinary revolutionary health care facility and helped ensure the production quality. Ingersoll is passionate about encouraging young students, particularly women, to pursue engineering if that is their dream. To that end, Ingersoll has volunteered for several events and STEM programs. She is also part of the mentorship program offered for the Women in ASHRAE subcommittee as part of the group’s Illinois chapter. Whenever possible, Ingersoll commutes to the office by bicycle and also enjoys golfing in her free time. Her favorite indoor activities are cooking and baking, and is not afraid to try any recipe twice.


Author Bio: Chris Vavra, Associate Editor, and Amara Rozgus, Editor-in-Chief