Lisa Podesto
About Lisa Podesto
Lisa Podesto serves as the Director of Mass Timber and Sustainable Construction Innovation at Swinerton, where she focuses on advancing sustainable building practices. With a strong background in civil engineering and extensive experience in mass timber, she has contributed to significant research and publications in the field.
Work at Swinerton
Lisa Podesto currently serves as the Director of Mass Timber and Sustainable Construction Innovation at Swinerton, a position she has held since 2024. Her role involves leading initiatives focused on sustainable construction practices and the integration of mass timber in building projects. This position is based in California, United States, and operates in a hybrid work environment.
Education and Expertise
Lisa Podesto earned her Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, where she studied from 1996 to 2000. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering-Structural from San Francisco State University, completing her studies from 2003 to 2005. Her educational background supports her expertise in sustainable construction and mass timber design.
Background
Prior to her current role, Lisa Podesto worked at Lendlease in various capacities, including Director of Construction Innovation and Industrialized Construction Subject Matter Expert. Her experience spans multiple locations in the United States and Australia, focusing on construction and development. Additionally, she served as Senior Technical Director at Wood Products Council - WoodWorks, contributing to national solutions in wood products.
Achievements
Lisa Podesto has contributed significantly to the field of mass timber construction. She completed a two-phase research program that established a new design methodology for the blast resistance of cross-laminated timber (CLT), which included seven full-scale live blast tests. Furthermore, she co-authored the 2012 United States Cross-Laminated Timber Handbook, aiding in the early market development of CLT and mass timber. She has also peer-reviewed several important industry guides.
Professional Involvement
Lisa Podesto has been actively involved in various professional organizations. She has served as the Sustainable Design Committee Chair for the Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC) since 2010. Additionally, she participates in advisory boards that support mass timber market development, including organizations such as the Tallwood Design Institute and the Council of Tall Building and Urban Habitat.