WSP has announced the appointment of Coral Torres Cruz, EIT, as the senior vice president and leader of grant strategy and development services. Previously, Torres Cruz served as chief of staff for the office of the Under Secretary of Transportation at the U.S. Department of Transportation.
In her new role, Torres Cruz will head WSP’s grants strategy and development team within the Advisory and Planning group. This team is instrumental in assisting clients with navigating the complexities of securing and managing competitive grant funding from various governmental levels. Their work encompasses identifying funding sources, managing grant agreements, ensuring compliance, and overseeing the close-out processes after awards are made.
“Coral’s 16 years of experience in federal government roles give her a unique perspective on the grant process, equipping our clients with a competitive advantage as they pursue funding for infrastructure initiatives,” commented Jannet Walker-Ford, WSP’s business line executive for Advisory and Planning. Torres Cruz’s insights into the grant submission process and her awareness of environmental and equity issues will be invaluable assets to WSP’s clients.
In her previous roles, she was responsible for providing strategic policy advice focused on climate and equity initiatives under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). During her tenure, she played a significant role in overseeing the implementation of over $660 billion in federal funding for over 50,000 infrastructure projects nationwide.
Torres Cruz’s impressive resume also includes experience as a senior advisor at the Federal Highway Administration, roles at the Surface Transportation Board, and contributions to the Federal Transit Administration. Notably, she served as a senior sustainability officer for the White House Council on Environmental Quality, where she was responsible for developing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in federal operations.
Holding a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Puerto Rico and a master’s degree in transportation engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Torres Cruz brings a wealth of knowledge to her new position.
WSP’s Advisory and Planning team focuses on helping clients secure funding for infrastructure projects through strategic preparation for grants, such as the U.S. DOT’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Grant (RAISE) and the FTA’s Capital Investment Grant (CIG). Since the enactment of the BIL in 2021, WSP’s grants team has successfully assisted clients in acquiring nearly $24.3 billion in funding by integrating financial feasibility into the planning process.
About WSP in the U.S.:
WSP USA is a prominent professional services firm that aims to provide sustainable solutions across various sectors, including transportation, infrastructure, and environmental management. With around 19,000 employees in 300 offices nationwide, WSP is committed to fostering innovation and integrity to create lasting positive impacts in communities.
This announcement not only highlights the significant expertise Torres Cruz brings to WSP but also reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to driving sustainable infrastructure development in the U.S. With dedicated leadership in grant strategy, WSP is poised to further enhance its capabilities in securing vital funding for infrastructure projects, continuing its important work to future-proof communities and their environments.