Caitlyn Meyer, PMP
PROJECT MANAGER
LOCATION: RALEIGH, N.C.
Caitlyn Meyer, PMP
PROJECT MANAGER
LOCATION: RALEIGH, N.C.
“At GeoDecisions, I’m able to combine my interest in geography with my passion for improving government operations while applying my management consulting experience.”
Transportation professional. Grant manager. Trusted advisor. Volunteer. Caitlyn Meyer, PMP, is driven to create vibrant communities. Her dedication to facing challenges head-on results in process and system improvements. She leverages lessons learned early in her project management career as she continues to be a strong leader of GeoDecisions, a division of Gannett Fleming.
Caitlyn is passionate about leveraging grants to fund critical projects. She is authoring a grant management blog series about how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) affects current spending plans, tracking requirements, and funding alignment.
We asked Caitlyn a few questions to get to know her better:
Tell us about your experience in the industry.
I began my career supporting community and economic development projects in York County, Pa. Next, I became a management consultant guiding Pennsylvania state department clients on enterprise application implementations. Now at GeoDecisions, I focus on project management and business analysis. I work with our department of transportation (DOT) clients, creating innovative solutions to improve their workflows.
Why GeoDecisions?
I wanted to diversify my experience and return to my GIS roots. At GeoDecisions, I’m able to combine my interest in geography with my passion for improving government operations while applying my management consulting experience.
How does your work contribute to the firm's vision?
Transportation planning, new development, and infrastructure maintenance are critical to creating a better future. The DOT projects we support help keep our water clean, people connected, infrastructure strong, and goods flowing.
How have your experiences led you to your current position?
One of the most impactful decisions I made was moving to Raleigh. North Carolina was a target market with one of the largest state-owned road networks in the U.S. The move allowed me to become a leader and expand my network.
What's the most interesting project you're working on right now?
I’m creating a data fabric vision for a DOT client. Data fabric is super cool because it can help tackle the knowledge management challenges that large, complex organizations face.
What draws you to transportation projects?
I care about creating a vibrant community, which needs transportation systems to thrive. Transportation projects come with their own unique set of challenges. I enjoy helping our clients navigate these complexities.
How do you see grant programs benefitting DOT programs?
I have been lucky to work on several grant-funded DOT projects. Grants are often the way that more innovative, non-traditional projects are funded.
What is the biggest consideration a DOT needs to account for when applying for a grant?
DOTs must consider how to best position themselves, which means submitting the best fit project in grant applications. They can have thousands of needs, so picking the right project can be tricky. Well-organized project information is critical to provide necessary data for grant proposals as well as to meet reporting requirements following a grant award.
What is one lesson learned from past effective grant management projects?
Since grant-funded projects don’t always look like traditional projects, it’s critical that expectations, deadlines, and data capture are communicated upfront. It’s important to identify these risks early and monitor them often.
How can DOTs use their data to make better decisions regarding legislative changes?
Legislators care about the return on investment and fiscal responsibility of DOT projects and programs. Data integration and connectivity are key to making better overall decisions.
How does GeoDecisions support your professional development and career growth?
GeoDecisions has been very supportive of my professional development and career growth. I was encouraged to attend training programs, and I have attended the Gannett Fleming Project Management Training, new business development training, and, my personal favorite, the Carnegie Mellon University Leadership Training Academy.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The engagement and learning opportunities. I enjoy connecting with people and learning about new topics and industries with each new project.
What leadership characteristics do you rely on the most for success in your job and life?
For those familiar with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®, I am an ESTJ – the executive. We all know having a title of “executive” doesn’t mean you are a leader. Two leadership traits I try to use daily are empathy and communication.
What's one professional achievement of which you're especially proud?
One of my most recent accomplishments was becoming a Project Management Professional (PMP). I was qualified to take the test for years, but I had test-taking anxiety. Luckily, I passed in the highest percentile with the help of the Gannett Fleming-sponsored exam preparation course.
Are you a member of any committees or employee resource groups?
I participate in the Connected Women at Gannett Fleming and Future Generations of Gannett Fleming employee resource groups (ERGs). I also volunteer for professional organizations, such as WTS and Future City.
What do you see for the next generation of employees?
I see them as motivated to produce good work and improve processes. We live in a world of constant change, and I think the next generation will positively influence change at Gannett Fleming and GeoDecisions.
What's the best piece of professional advice you've ever received?
Networking and building relationships can take you places. I’ve learned a lot by shadowing organizational leaders, which allowed me to observe how to navigate business relationships and communicate with stakeholders.
What's the best piece of personal advice you've ever received?
Do less. I’m a chronic overachiever, but I’ve learned to schedule myself less and be more present in my day-to-day personal life.
What can AEC firms do internally to celebrate diversity and create a stronger sense of belonging across diverse groups?
Every person on a team brings the whole sum of their life experiences. I appreciate Gannett Fleming’s goals around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B). Important to achieving our DEI&B goals is diversity up and down the ladder. For example, Gannett Fleming learned that, when forming employee resource groups, you need representation from entry- to executive-level to support inclusive decision-making.
What are your favorite hobbies?
I love nature, whether it’s hiking with my dogs or paddleboarding. I’m getting married in March 2023, so my current hobby is wedding planning. My project management background helps!
Let's talk family!
I live with my fiancé Ethan and our three fur kids: two cute dogs and one clumsy cat. I also help care for my nieces and nephews whenever I can.
What's one thing most people don't know about you?
I taught karate to kids for about 10 years in my teens and 20s. It was a fun experience and a great skill to have.
If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would you choose and why?
I would trade places with whoever is currently vacationing on a private beach in Thailand. I have always wanted to visit, and a beach cocktail sounds lovely.
If you could live in any city, where would it be and why?
During college, I studied abroad in Galway, Ireland. I would love to return and live there. My inner history nerd appreciated walking by abandoned castles on the way to get Irish coffee.

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