Progressive Railroading has announced honorees for the magazine’s second annual Women of Influence in Rail recognition program, with Urban Engineers, Inc.’s (Urban) Associate Vice President and Senior Project Manager, Kelly Pilarski, PE, LEED AP, named to the 2026 list for her leadership and contributions to advancing the rail industry.
“I’m honored to be recognized as a 2026 Woman of Influence and to stand alongside so many exceptional women in the rail industry,” said Pilarski. “For communities to truly thrive, we need reliable, diverse transportation options. Ten years car-free, I live and breathe this work, and I am excited about the meaningful projects our Urban team will continue to support in the future.”
“We are incredibly proud of Kelly and the example she sets every day,” said Urban’s President and CEO, James A. Bilella, II, PE. “Her passion for improving transportation and building stronger communities embodies what Urban stands for, and this recognition is well deserved.”
Ms. Pilarski has nearly 20 years of experience managing multidisciplinary infrastructure projects with contracts valued in the billions over the past decade. A lifelong advocate of cycling, bus, and rail projects, she is part of Urban’s Program Management Oversight (PMO) team supporting the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Ms. Pilarski is the PMO Task Order Manager overseeing high-profile, complex rail projects, including the Westside Purple Line Extension (WPLE) for the Los Angeles Metro (LACMTA) and emergency repairs to San Juan’s Tren Urbano for Puerto Rico Integrated Transit Authority (PRITA).
Ms. Pilarski’s other notable projects include:
As Owner’s Representative Design Oversight Manager to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which is North America’s largest transportation network, Ms. Pilarski facilitated the design and construction of 19 miles of new and rehabilitated track along Amtrak’s Hell Gate Line, four new ADA-accessible stations, and multiple substations. During her time on the project, she led a team of more than 30 technical leads, coordinated across multiple rail agencies, confirmed design constructability, and prioritized systems integration across designs, keeping the project organized and proactive.
Serving as Deputy Project Manager and Technical Lead to New York’s Empire State Development Corporation (ESD), Ms. Pilarski oversaw technical review, facilitated feasibility studies, construction document review, systems design and integration, public art implementation, and operational readiness for this $1.6 billion project, delivered on time within budget. She led a team of over 70 staff and subcontractors, coordinated security systems with various authorities and law enforcement, and handled extensive stakeholder coordination. This project earned the ACEC National 2022 Project of the Year Award, along with other prestigious awards.
Ms. Pilarski led construction administration for the $8 million station upgrade, coordinating with Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), FTA, and contractors to improve pedestrian access, platforms, and station amenities at this busy transit hub.
Outside of Urban, Ms. Pilarski serves as a Commissioner on the Public Safety Commission for the City of West Hollywood. The Commission evaluates and recommends mechanisms related to public safety, assists the City Manager’s office and City Council in strengthening community response to emergencies, and evaluates and makes recommendations to the City Council on street safety and neighborhood livability.