Shattering the glass ceiling: Cheryl Moon-Sirianni
In November, Cheryl Moon-Sirianni was named district executive of the state Department of Transportation’s District 11 division based near Bridgeville, replacing longtime executive Dan Cessna.
Moon-Sirianni, 52, grew up in Freeport and now lives in Economy. The 1987 Penn State University graduate began as a civil engineering intern at PennDOT in 1984, first in District 10 and then moving to work in District 11 in 1989. She is the first woman to ever lead District 11.
You’ve been working for PennDOT for nearly three decades, first as a civil engineer trainee and later holding a variety of positions with the department. What made you want to study civil engineering and work on public infrastructure projects?
I started as a petroleum engineer (major) at Penn State. That first summer (interning for PennDOT) I worked at a bridge rehab job in Kittanning. I found that to be so much more interesting than rock formations – being able to visually see what you’re working on and a feeling of accomplishment when something is finished. Knowing your friends and family are going to drive over these facilities also is very satisfying.
Being the first woman to lead District 11, what does that mean to you and PennDOT?
To me, just being the executive is a huge accomplishment regardless of your gender. Working for the department for more than 30 years, it’s very gratifying and flattering. We have wonderful people on staff and it’s a privilege to be their leader. I think anything a woman can do to show the younger women there is no glass ceiling or no limit is great for me to be a role model and mentor.
When you started with PennDOT, did you ever see yourself leading District 11?
As a young civil engineer, you just want to do a good job and possibly get promoted to the next level. I’ve taken my job day-by-day, but was promoted to this position. It’s good for younger engineers and employees to see that after a 30-year career, you’re not washed up. There are still opportunities for advancement. Raising a daughter, the good work-life balance sends a good message. I can honestly say I’ve never missed one of her events, lacrosse or orchestra. Working at PennDOT, you have to balance your meetings, work. Gina (her 20-year-old daughter) is going to school for industrial engineering. I used to drive her to all these public meetings when she was a kid. I guess it didn’t turn her off too bad. I don’t think a lot of young women set their sights on technical engineering like this because they don’t have a role model. Maybe me reaching out to them and letting them know the sky is the limit will encourage them.
How has your role within PennDOT changed over the years, and what will it be like now leading District 11?
I started as a bridge engineer and moved to the highway side. Lots of technical work, down and dirty. As you move up to project manager, you’re dealing with the public more. As contract management engineer, you keep growing. Your contacts grow as you deal with more organizations and stakeholders. Being assistant district executive in charge of design, you’re dealing with the public and municipal officials, and now I think it’s my job to establish relationships I don’t have and go to the ones I do have. Dealing with lots of the projects, it’s always interesting. At PennDOT, no two jobs are ever the same.
PennDOT District 11, which includes Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties, is the second largest district in the state. Allegheny County has the largest state roadway system to manage. What are the biggest challenges facing PennDOT as a whole, but also District 11?
You always have to keep the roads safe, keep them on paving cycles, keep them safe in the winter. And funding is always the linchpin – make sure we have enough money to keep the salt and keep the folks working on the road, but also keep some money around for the summer for paving.
Besides road maintenance, what other challenges do you face?
We’re trying to keep a more diverse workforce. There aren’t as many women and minority workers. Maintenance and construction are predominately white males and we’re trying to reach out to other people who don’t know that PennDOT is a great place to work. I hope they can see there are the same opportunities for them as I had if you work hard. We still need better outreach; sharing that positive message and getting input from municipalities and elected officials is important to making sure we’re tending to the needs of our community. It’s definitely a balancing act.