NICOLE ADEWALE
As a co-founder of ABNA, Nicole is highly involved in the day to day running of AABNA; which has grown from its humble beginnings as a two-person firm, to more than 90 professionals and union tradespeople across three offices, performing work in more than 13 states. Nicole began her career at the Illinois Department of Transportation, IDOT, where she was a resident engineer for major roadway and bridge construction projects. Nicole earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is a certified LEED® AP.
ABNA provides Structural and Civil Engineering Design Services for civil facilities such as transportation infrastructure, sewer systems and other public utilities. ABNA also provides expertise for industrial, educational, healthcare and commercial projects. Additionally, ABNA provides Surveying, Geotech, Construction Management, Testing & Inspection and GIS/Planning Services for public and private clientele. ABNA has managed multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects in Illinois, worked on the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District’s storm and sanitary systems, the Interstate-64 re-construction, Cross County Metrolink extension, Interstate 55 reconstruction, the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport expansion, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, as well as BJC’s Campus Renewal Project. ABNA also operates a general contracting division focused on the construction of civil infrastructure.
ABNA is known as the “United Nations” of the engineering world; having a staff makeup that is representative of nearly every continent, who speak nearly 20 languages, and represent at least four major faith traditions. ABNA further embraces and supports these diverse populations within the organization by encouraging volunteerism in the community. This active investment includes a host of community organizations including the, National Society of Black Engineers for which ABNA has helped raised over $100,000 for college scholarships, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) where Nicole has worn many hats to assist young people around the globe explore STEM careers through friendly competition and where Nicole has served as an international emcee for five years.
ABNA Engineering Inc. has made the list of Top 25 Engineering Firms by the St. Louis Business Journal for 18 of its 24 years in business and is consistently ranked among the top 25 African American Businesses by the St. Louis American Newspaper and in 2015 Abe and Nicole were named Entrepreneurs of the Year also by the St. Louis American. Nicole has been honored as a volunteer of the year by FIRST LEGO League, St. Louis Business Journals Most Influential Business Women, and Upscale Magazine’s Top 25 Influential People.
One of Nicole’s greatest passions is opening doors of opportunity for young people to pursue careers in architecture, engineering and construction through support of K-12 education such as the School District of University City and support of higher education such as the Parks College School of Aviation, Engineering and Technology at St. Louis University where Nicole previously served as the Chair of the Industry Advisory committee for the School of Civil Engineering and the University of Missouri St. Louis where Nicole recently joined the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee. ABNA has also provided internships for dozens of students over the years, three of whom are full time employees.
In addition to her supportive family, Nicole counts encouraging young people and service to the community as a key formula to advancing their vision to create a company which is honest, helps clients solve problems, is profitable, and provides opportunities for professional development while celebrating and honoring families.
ICOLE ADEWALE