Smita N. Shah

Smita N. Shah serves as a member on the Advisory Board at Workstorm. Recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of the city’s 100 most-connected Chicagoans (#19), she is an engineer, entrepreneur and civic leader with a passion for nurturing entrepreneurism and innovation among women and minorities, while advocating for the growth and participation of small businesses in emerging industries.

As the founder and CEO of engineering and construction management firm SPAAN Tech, Inc., Shah brings extensive expertise in public and private infrastructure projects, including transportation, aviation, and facilities. In addition, she serves in many leadership roles for organizations across Chicago and the U.S., including Vice Chairman of the Chicago Plan Commission, Vice Chairman of the Regents for Loyola University of Chicago, Chairman of the Delhi Chicago Sister Cities Relationship, member of the M.I.T. Corporation Development Council and Visiting Committee for Civil and Environmental Engineering, and member of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Science and Industry.

Shah has been recognized for her leadership by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of Chicago’s 40 under 40 and an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist. She also received the U.S. Small Business Administration 8(a) Graduate of the Year Award, was awarded a National Community Leader of the Year by the American Consulting Engineers Council, and has received the Congressionally recognized Ellis Island Medal of Honor for her contributions in changing the fabric of America.

Shah earned her Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University, her Master of Science in civil and environmental engineering from M.I.T., and a Postgraduate Certificate in Management Studies from Oxford University.