Erin Rosenthal Named 2026 Women of Influence Honoree
PMA Engineering President Erin K. Rosenthal, PE, has been recognized as a Kansas City Business Journal 2026 Women of Influence honoree. She was presented with the award during a ceremony at the Overland Park Convention Center on August 28. This recognition celebrates women who demonstrate exceptional leadership, deliver meaningful results, and uplift those around them.
Erin began her journey at PMA Engineering over 20 years ago as a summer intern. Despite the lack of a designated workspace, Erin embraced the opportunity to intern from the lunch table. Erin now leads PMA as president and majority owner, having held every engineering-related role within the company. This institutional knowledge gives her the unique perspective needed to mentor young employees. Erin maintains a diverse portfolio of projects, including Legends at Village West (Kansas City, KS), Corbin Park (Overland Park, KS), Corrigan Station (Kansas City, MO), Olathe Library (Olathe, KS), and Cascade Hotel, Kansas City, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel & Aloft Hotel (Kansas City, MO).
Erin is deeply passionate about her work mentoring young women and students, with a focus on providing the confidence and support needed to navigate and overcome challenges within the industry. She is particularly invested in her work with Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (IGED), KC STEM Alliance, Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Project Lead the Way (PLTW), EngineerGirl, Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS), and School of Economics (SoE).
When asked by the KCBJ what shaped her drive, Erin shared:
“I attribute my drive to my upbringing. I was raised in a family where hard work, integrity and perseverance were core values. I saw firsthand that nothing is handed to you — you have to set goals, stay disciplined and earn your success. My parents led by example and encouraged me to think big while also understanding that life isn’t always easy or fair, so resilience matters. That mindset has stayed with me throughout my career. I’m motivated by setting goals and consistently working toward them, even when challenges come up. Today, my drive is also fueled by my role as a parent. I want to lead by example for my two daughters, showing them that it’s possible to build a successful career while being fully present for your family. That balance, and demonstrating what’s possible through hard work and persistence, continues to push me every day.”
Read Erin’s feature in the Kansas City Business Journal here.