Helena Lippolis, a structural engineering specialist in STV’s buildings team, has been selected to participate in the ACE Greater New York (ACE GNY) Mentor Leadership Program. The program recognizes emerging industry leaders who show a strong dedication to mentorship and inspiring the next generation of architecture, construction and engineering (AEC) professionals.
“Mentorship is at the heart of why I work in the AEC industry, so it’s especially rewarding to have that commitment recognized,” Lippolis said. “I’m excited to participate in this program and gain new perspectives that will help me better support, empower and inspire students through ACE.”
Lippolis brings her professional experience at STV directly into her mentoring efforts. Since joining the firm, she has contributed to several high-profile projects, including the Jamaica Bus Depot in Queens, New York, the Gateway Program Hudson River Tunnel project between New York and New Jersey and the Large Vehicle Storage and Maintenance Facility at Logan Airport in Boston.
Her work on these multidisciplinary teams reinforces the importance of communication, collaboration, and teamwork – skills she emphasizes with students through real-world examples. Additionally, Lippolis credits STV’s strong mentorship culture with shaping her own approach as a mentor, with a specific focus on approachability, support and intentional guidance.
Her involvement with ACE is especially meaningful, as it marks a full-circle moment in her career. Lippolis first participated in the program as a high school student, where she was introduced to architecture, construction and engineering at a time when those career paths were not easily visible to her. When she later joined STV and learned about ACE GNY Team 11, she immediately volunteered as a structural engineering mentor. Today, she also serves as a Jasper Mentor for a freshman engineering student at Manhattan University.
One of the most impactful moments in Lippolis’s mentoring journey came during Team 11’s final presentation last year. Students who had entered the program hesitant or unsure, confidently presented their work – from early concepts through a completed 3D model – to an audience of friends, family and teachers.
“Watching that transformation was incredibly rewarding,” Lippolis said. “The pride on their faces, and on the faces of their families and teachers, really highlighted the impact of the program.”
