Presented in the name of a founder of the Irish American Building Society. Jerry Forest and the Irish American Building Society were an integral part of the revitalization of the Great Irish Fair. He was a man who loved Ireland and was dedicated to the Irish cause. The award is given to a person who is recognized for leadership and service to family, friends and community.

Civil engineering designer Caitlin Bowen is receiving the Jerry Forest Memorial Award.

An engineer specializing in civil site design with global design firm, Stantec, in New York City, Bowen has worked on projects ranging from utility reconstruction and roadway design to master planning and resilient design.

When she first joined Stantec, Bowen was thrown into a fast-paced project with a tight deadline: the Barclays Center. Working for Forest City Ratner Companies, Stantec was responsible for the new subway entrance at Atlantic Avenue as well as all sidewalks, roadways and utilities surrounding the site. Since the arena’s opening, she has been busy with the development of Pacific Park Brooklyn with Greenland Forest City Partners.

Bowen is also involved with professional and volunteer organizations. She is a member of Women in Transportation Seminar and serves on its Young Professionals Committee. She is a mentor and team leader with the ACE Mentor Program, a not-for-profit that helps prepare high school students for design and construction careers. As a team leader, she organizes Stantec’s NYC ACE team, comprised of 30 students and 20 mentors. She leads mentors and students to complete a design for a mock project from start to finish. She has also teamed Stantec up with the Summer Youth Employment Program, and offered eight high school students internships at Stantec the past two summers.

Bowen attended Staten Island Technical H.S. and earned a civil engineering degree with a minor in environmental engineering from the University of Connecticut. In college, she helped form UConn Irish, a student group that promotes Irish culture through music and dance.

As president, she helped plan ceilis and beginner dance classes, and performed at a UConn men’s basketball half-time show.

The eldest child of Mark and Ellen Bowen, her Irish roots originate from Counties Cork and Kerry. Her maternal grandfather, Andrew McGeever, was a past president of Kings County AOH, Div. 35, and a supporter of the Great Irish Fair. Her family inherited a home in Dingle, which they love to visit.

A longtime step dancer, Bowen attended the O’Malley Irish Dance Academy and has competed in regional and national championships, both as a child and adult.

An avid runner, Bowen is training for her second NYC marathon. She enjoys swimming and biking, and completed her first triathlon this summer. She and her fiancé Mike are planning their wedding next February.