Articles

October 2025 Keynote Session Speaker

"A CONVERSATION ON PATHWAYS TO RESILIENT COMMUNITIES"

Carol Haddock, P.E., MPA, F. ASCE
President Elect
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Carol Haddock, P.E., is a respected civil engineer and public administrator with more than 30 years of experience advancing resilient infrastructure, sustainable development, and public service leadership. She currently serves as a Professor in the Practice at Rice University, where she integrates engineering expertise with public policy and management insight to prepare future infrastructure leaders.

Before joining Rice University, Ms. Haddock served nearly two decades with Houston Public Works, one of the nation’s largest municipal public works agencies. As Director from 2017 to 2024, she led a team of thousands responsible for providing essential services to more than 2.3 million residents. Her leadership guided the city through major challenges such as Hurricane Harvey and Winter Storm Uri, strengthened Houston’s flood resilience, and advanced innovative programs for climate adaptation and infrastructure renewal. Earlier, she served as Deputy Director of Engineering and Construction and Senior Assistant Director for Capital Planning and Programming, overseeing long-range planning and major capital investments.

Ms. Haddock’s experience also includes managing large-scale flood mitigation projects at the Harris County Flood Control District and serving as an AAAS/ASCE Congressional Fellow with the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, where she contributed technical expertise to national infrastructure and environmental policy.

She is a recognized thought leader in infrastructure resilience and public works modernization. Ms. Haddock has testified before several U.S. House committees, including the Committee on the Budget, Financial Services Committee, and Appropriations Committee, on issues ranging from disaster recovery to the need for sustained federal investment in infrastructure. She has also represented the City of Houston before the Texas Legislature, providing expert testimony on storm recovery, water management, and infrastructure legislation.

Beyond legislative engagement, Ms. Haddock regularly advises federal agencies and professional organizations on climate-ready infrastructure, hazard data modernization, and workforce development. Her insights have informed discussions at the ASCE-NOAA Leadership Summit on Climate-Ready Infrastructure, the EPA Office of Water, and the U.S. House Public Works & Infrastructure Caucus.

Ms. Haddock holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Rice University and an M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Houston. A Licensed Professional Engineer (Civil) in Texas since 1997, she continues to shape the national dialogue on resilient, equitable, and future-ready infrastructure.