Experience

Sandra Akmansoy is a civil engineer and business leader with a proven track record in steering large-scale infrastructure projects in over 15 countries across Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Her career has combined technical expertise with strategic leadership, spanning project management, procurement, and contract delivery for major transportation, healthcare, and commercial developments. Known for building collaborative teams and driving operational growth, she has led multidisciplinary offices, managed large-scale programs, and contributed to regional business strategy at the executive level.

Resume

Rider Levett Bucknall, Dallas, TX

2024-Current: Principal

Arup Global

2003-2023

Various Executive roles including:

Director

Group Leader, Denmark

Managing Director, Ove Arup & Partners Danmark A/S

Europe Region Board member

Europe Region Commercial Executive member

Ethics Champion, Europe Region

Dallas Office Leader

Accredited Project Director & Accredited Project Manager

Accredited Project Director for Design & Build Contracts

Course Director, Project & Commercial Management for Europe Region

Course Director, Project Director for Europe Region

Spain Advisory Board

Country Manager for Azerbaijan, Morocco, Tunisia

Procter & Gamble Co. Brussels, Belgium.

01/1998-08/2000

Global Real Estate and Corporate Facilities - EMEA Project & Program Manager

Fullfinet-Valluris, France

2001-2003

Deputy Managing Director

University of Texas at Austin

1994-1997

Research & Teacher's Assistant

Air Liquide, Paris, France

1995
Summer Intern

Committees & Appointments

Distinguished Alumni of the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering of the University of Texas at Austin, Inducted 2014
Board of Directors : 2025-2026

Comité National des Conseillers du Commerce Extérieur de la France, 2016-2019

External Advisory Committee (EAC) of The Fariborz Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering of the University of Texas at Austin, 2022-2028
Chair, 2024-2025

Speaking Engagements

The Architecture of the Cityringen Metro, Arup Annual Group Meeting in Hong Kong China (September 2012)
Super Project Leader, Einstein Program, SRF Swiss television (June 14, 2018)
https://www.srf.ch/play/tv/einstein/video/sandra-akmansoy-herrin-der-superprojekte?urn=urn:srf:video:0747519d-4c7a-43dc-b1a4-543c94be80c3
Opening Speech at Victoria & Albert’s Museum Exhibition of Ove Arup and the Philosophy of Total Design held at BLOX- Danish Architecture Center (October 12, 2018)
A Scandinavian Approach to Your Authentic Self, Women in Construction Europe event in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (December 5, 2018)
Let’s Build a Future Together, Bispebjerg Hospital Denmark (February 2019)
https://youtu.be/-sDkVu0haVI
Leading Today, ELU Leadership Summit, Gothenberg, Sweden (May 28, 2019)
Breaking Cultural Barriers, Women in Construction in USA (October 21, 2020)
Integrated Rail Solutions, Southwestern Rail Conference, Dallas (February 24, 2020)
The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, American Society of Civil Engineers, Dallas Ft Worth Section (March 22, 2022)
Celebrating 10 years in Denmark (Dec 12, 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jiiv5gh03Y

Publications

Water Rights in the Aral Sea Using GIS, sponsored by USAID and UNESCO. 1997
Digital Atlas of the World Water Balance, FAO and UNESCO. 1997
Water Balance in Africa, FAO and UNESCO. 1996