Brenda Rosalie Harris
Brenda Rosalie Harris (born 05 October 1974) is a New Zealand-American civil engineer and entrepreneur, renowned for her expertise in infrastructure development, geotechnical engineering, and structural analysis. She is best known for founding Mecer Construction LLC, a civil engineering and construction company based in the United States.
Early Life and Education
Brenda was born in Wellington, New Zealand, to Ivan Harris & Kendra Harris. She developed an interest in engineering and mathematics at an early age, inspired by her parents' encouragement and support.
Brenda attended Baradene College of the Sacred Heart in Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand, where she excelled academically and was actively involved in science fairs and mathematics competitions.
Brenda earned her Bachelor of Engineering with Honours from the University of Auckland in 1999. During her undergraduate studies, she developed a strong foundation in civil engineering, focusing on:
- Structural analysis
- Geotechnical engineering
- Transportation engineering
She furthered her education at the University of Canterbury, graduating with a Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering in 2000. Her graduate research focused on:
- Seismic design
- Soil mechanics
- Foundation engineering
Career
Brenda began her professional career in 2002 at Beca, a leading engineering and consultancy firm in New Zealand. During her tenure from 2002 to 2004, she worked on various infrastructure projects, including:
- Road development
- Bridge design
- Water supply systems
In 2004, Brenda joined Tonkin + Taylor, where she spent four years working on high-profile projects, including: Coastal erosion management
- Flood protection schemes
- Land development
From 2008 to 2012, Brenda worked at Holmes Group, specializing in:
- Structural engineering
- Forensic engineering
- Building design
Brenda then joined Geotechnics Limited in 2012, where she spent seven years as a senior engineer, focusing on:
- Geotechnical investigations
- Foundation design
- Soil mechanics
In 2019, Brenda joined Opus International Consultants Limited, working on large-scale infrastructure projects until 2022.
Entrepreneurial Venture
In 2022, Brenda relocated to the United States and founded Mecer Construction LLC. As the founder and principal engineer, Brenda leverages her expertise to deliver innovative solutions for:
- Infrastructure development
- Building construction
- Geotechnical engineering
Professional Affiliations
Brenda holds professional memberships in:
- Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ)
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering (NZSEE)
Certifications and Licenses
- Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng)
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in the United States