Engineers Without Borders USA
In the world’s toughest places, Engineers Without Borders USA is partnering with communities to meet their basic human needs. We’re building footbridges to provide pathways to opportunities. We’re installing solar panels to bring light where it is dark. We’re digging for water so hope can spring from the ground. Each project builds the foundation for a community to thrive for years to come.
EWB-USA’s vision is a world in which every community has the capacity to sustainably meet their basic human needs.
Mission
EWB-USA builds a better world through engineering projects that empower communities to meet their basic human needs and equip leaders to solve the world’s most pressing challenges.
Engineers Without Borders Professional DC Chapter
EWB-DC spreads both the vision and the mission of EWB-USA by partnering with disadvantaged communities to improve their quality of life through environmentally and economically sustainable engineering projects. EWB-DC engages developing communities in resolving particular infrastructure needs that the community itself has identified. Projects include but are not limited to the design and construction of water distribution, waste-water treatment, sanitation, energy, and shelter systems.
EWB involves professionals and students from a variety of professions including engineering, public health, anthropology, geology, business, communications, and graphic design. EWB-DC works together with EWB Student Chapters at Howard University, The George Washington University, and Catholic University to improve the quality of life in partner communities worldwide.
Recognition for EWB-DC
EWB-DC is very proud to have been recognized twice as the Southeast Regional Premier Professional Chapter. We are also excited to have been once recognized as the National Premier Professional Chapter.
EWB-DC Chapter Leadership
Interim President – Chris Pineda
Chris joined EWB-DC in 2023 to help provide professional services and resources to under-resourced communities. He previously worked with the EWB Lehigh University student chapter for four years, serving as Treasurer, Translator and Project Member, including one trip to Nicaragua. Previous projects Chris has worked on include a water distribution system and a solar panel energy system in Nicaragua. Chris works as an account manager for an electrical engineering measurement company. He is excited to be a part of EWB-DC and wants to incorporate his professional skills into the Vice President of Operations role and help the EWB-DC chapter grow.
Finance Chair – Ayushi Gupta
Ayushi joined EWB-DC in 2024 as the chapter Finance Chair. Before moving to the DMV area, she was a part of EWB at the University of Pittsburgh serving as the Social Chair and a Project Member for a Sanitation Project in Nicaragua. She is currently a Business Technology Analyst working in government contracting.
Immediate Past President – Helen Girod
Helen joined EWB-DC in 2021, having recently returned from serving in the Peace Corps in Paraguay as a Community Agriculture Extension Promoter. She worked closely with her host community members to implement sustainable agricultural practices throughout the community and integrate these strategies into the curriculum at the local agricultural technical high school. Previously, she spent four years as a member of the Engineers Without Borders Johns Hopkins University student chapter, where she held the roles of chapter president and co-project lead for a program in Peru. Helen now works as an environmental engineer in the DC area, specializing in groundwater remediation. She began her involvement with EWB-DC by serving as the chapter vice president and has since transitioned into the president role.
Panama Project Lead – Bret Busse
Bret joined EWB in 2018 and has served as the Responsible Engineer in Charge and Project Lead for the Panama Project and has been on 5 trips to the community. Growing up as the son of a concrete and general contractor, Bret has broad experience in construction in addition to his 35 years as a structural engineer. In addition to his work with EWB, Bret also regularly volunteers with Rebuilding Together, a local Civic Association, and Earth Day. Giving back to communities and those in need is in his DNA.
Panama Project Lead – Tom Yost
Tom joined EWB in 2016 and has served as the Responsible Engineer in Charge and Project Lead for the Panama Project. Tom has led trips to Hato Rincon, Panama since the first Implementation Trip in 2017 and has spent roughly 10 weeks with the community since the first shovel was put in the ground. In addition to his work with EWB, Tom has worked in Nicaragua, Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, and the Dominican Republic with a local volunteer design-build collaborative.
Peru Project Lead – Kavin Sanghavi
Kavin is a product manager in Washington, DC and has been involved with EWB since he was in college at Carnegie Mellon University. There, he was a Project Lead for a sustainable energy project in rural Zimbabwe. Since graduating and moving to DC, he has been an active member in the DC chapter and is excited to be the Project Lead for the ongoing water project in Shiringamazu, Peru. In his free time, Kavin enjoys hiking and traveling, as well as working on DIY projects at home.
Sierra Leone Project Lead – Kevin Anderson
Kevin has been a member of EWB since an undergraduate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he volunteered as a project lead for a sanitation project in Cameroon. He joined EWB-DC in 2022 and is co-lead of the Dumangbe Bridge Project. Kevin is a structural engineer specializing in bridge design and a licensed PE and SE. Kevin enjoys bringing his technical expertise to EWB projects and looks for a successful completion of the Dumangbe Bridge Project.
Immediate Past Vice President of Programs – Melinda Vivona
Melinda joined EWB-DC in 2022 as the Events Lead. She helped lead the 2023 Gala after a 3-year hiatus and supported project teams in their fundraising efforts. She is excited to take on the role as the Vice President of Programs. Melinda is a traffic engineer with experience working on signal design, signing and marking plans, and traffic studies. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and traveling.