Anas Alrejjal and Lauren Hull Named 2026 ITE Young Leaders to Follow

Two engineers recognized among transportation's rising leaders for advancing communities through innovation and technical excellence.

OHM Advisors transportation professionals Anas Alrejjal, PhD, PE, and Lauren Hull, PE, RSP1, have been named to the Institute of Transportation Engineers’ (ITE) 2026 Young Leaders to Follow class.

Now in its fourth year, the program recognizes a class of 20 ITE members age 35 or younger who are already making an impact on the transportation industry. Honorees are selected based on their technical and professional experience, leadership, innovation, involvement with ITE and commitment to advancing the profession.

Anas Alrejjal advances safer, more connected mobility in Nashville

Anas is a Transportation Project Engineer and serves as Traffic Control Manager for the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) as part of OHM Advisors’ embedded team. In this role, he leads a team responsible for complex traffic control operations and improvements to the city’s right-of-way permitting process. His work helps commuters navigate Nashville safely during major construction projects and some of the city’s largest events, including Tennessee Titans games and the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration.

Anas has also helped advance innovative mobility initiatives, including Nashville’s first downtown bus-only lane, tactical urbanism efforts and citywide coordination through the Multimodal Access Closure Committee. The committee brings together emergency services, transit providers, advocacy organizations, utilities, developers and contractors to balance mobility, accessibility and safety as Nashville continues to grow.

His commitment to transportation safety began early in his career, when witnessing serious and fatal crashes involving young drivers inspired him to pursue a master’s degree and doctorate in traffic safety. He now applies that expertise to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders and other road users through data, technology and community-focused solutions.

For me, this work is about making people’s lives better and creating safer streets for everyone who uses them, Anas said. “This recognition motivates me to keep pushing forward, finding new ways to improve safety and doing more for the communities we serve.”

Lauren Hull turns crash data into safer transportation across Michigan

Lauren is a Professional Engineer focused on transportation safety, crash analysis and traffic studies. She joined the firm as an intern in 2020 and has since expanded her work to include signal optimization and design.

Her recent work includes serving a key role on the Road Commission for Oakland County’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Action Plan. Working alongside OHM’s GIS and planning teams, Lauren helped analyze thousands of crash records to identify patterns and develop recommendations aimed at preventing fatalities and serious injuries.

Transportation safety is ultimately about using what we learn to make a meaningful difference for the people who use our roads every day,” Lauren said. “I’m grateful for this recognition and excited to keep learning, contributing and helping advance safer transportation in the communities we serve.”

Lauren also supports the next generation of transportation professionals through her leadership and mentorship with ITE. Her involvement began as a Michigan State University student participating in ITE’s Traffic Bowl, a quiz competition that challenges student teams on transportation engineering and planning topics. She now serves in a leadership role with the Michigan Section’s Young Member Committee, helping organize volunteer, technical learning and networking opportunities for emerging transportation professionals.

Lauren was also named the 2026 ITE Great Lakes District Rising Star, a district level recognition honoring young professionals for their impact, leadership, innovation and commitment to advancing the transportation profession.

Learn more about ITE’s 2026 Young Leaders to Follow here.

ABOUT OHM ADVISORS  

OHM Advisors is the community advancement firm, delivering award-winning work across the architecture, engineering and planning spheres. Founded in 1962, we believe in the power of multidisciplinary teamwork to find ideas that aren’t just different—they are better. Recognized as an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm, our 800+ person team operates across multiple states throughout the U.S., partnering with leaders at all government levels, school districts, developers, universities and private companies to create great places for people.

Discover more about OHM Advisors' transportation engineering work and how we advance communities here.