The Unstoppable Power of Smita Shah
As a daughter of Indian immigrants, CEO and founder of a massive firm in a severely male-dominated field, and engineer who steps with confidence in other areas, such as politics, Smita Shah understands social and professional barriers. Shah often speaks about the grave importance of young girls studying math and sciences, as well as on how women need to act strategically in their careers. Her multi-million dollar project management and technology firm, headquartered in Chicago, would never have met its current potential without the ingenuity and prowess that Smita Shah brings to the table.
Shah strongly voices the criticality of decreasing the gender gap in the industries of technology and science. She recalls how eye-opening her experience was as one of the few women studying these subjects at Northwestern, Oxford, and MIT. Over the span of her career, she has faced countless challenges on the basis of gender alone. Shah recalls having been snubbed or entirely ignored by predominantly male executives in the midst of corporate dealings. Lower-ranking male colleagues often receive more respect and attention from clients, putting the firm’s CEO in the position of having to fight for her voice to be heard. With the help of advice from her father, she decided to accept this disparity and learn to work around it, rather than become frustrated or dissuaded from her ambitions by it.
This vigilant and resolute mentality strengthens Shah’s approach to negotiation and overall operation. Her firm, SPAAN Tech, has thrived over the years in its dealings with massive infrastructure. SPAAN Tech works primarily in electrical engineering, hydrology, and drainage for large-scale buildings, airports, and roads. Some of the firm’s clients include the Illinois Tollway, ComEd, and the United States Navy. SPAAN Tech also consulted on a construction project for the Chicago office of U.S. Senator Barack Obama. Shah continues to focus on her and the company’s successes. She acknowledges that she now has more supporters than doubters. Learn more: https://www.advfn.com/stock-market/stock-news/80848364/mayor-lori-lightfoot-joins-smita-shah-chair-of-th
Outside of the ongoing accomplishments with SPAAN Tech, Smita Shah has a hand in political and civic spheres, as well as serving as an active member of the board for Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry. Smita Shah’s husband, Maarten de Jeu, is also on the museum board. As an engineer, Shah’s passionate involvement in politics and the community is questioned at times. She sees this as simply another instance of other attempts to limit or define her work. Over the years, a collective understanding of the developmental connections between infrastructure and policy has become stronger.
Shah serves on several prestigious councils, including the Delhi Sister Cities International Program, organizes programs for the Illinois chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in recognition of her work, previously awarded to activist Rosa Parks. Smita Shah’s husband shares in her commitment to improving civic circumstances. Together, they are now highly respected individuals in the Chicago community. Smita Shah describes herself as once being shy, but today her voice is irrepressible.