KDM Engineering Founder & President Kimberly Moore

Kimberly D. MoorePresident & Founder

Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, Kimberly Moore had always been a fan of tinkering. Lovingly known to her family as “Ms. Fix It” — even at a young age, she was able to focus on creative ways to solve problems. Moore received her
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Northern Illinois University, playing D1 basketball for the NIU Huskies while an undergraduate.

After landing a job at a nuclear power plant, Moore soon gave in to the call of secondary education, pursuing her Master’s in Sound Engineering at NIU as well. After graduation, Moore worked in a few other positions before her entrepreneurial spirit ultimately drove her to pursue her dream of starting her own engineering firm.

In 2008, Moore created KDM Engineering to provide consulting services on engineering projects. Unfortunately, the effects of the recession, coupled with Moore’s father falling ill, resulted in the temporary closure of KDM while she went to care for him full-time. After his untimely death in 2011, Moore returned more determined than ever to build KDM into the successful company she had envisioned. Under Moore’s guiding hand and unique leadership style,
KDM has become a proven leader in the industry, growing to over 100 employees and successfully completing work
on thousands of projects.

Being among the first few black women to graduate from NIU with an electrical engineering degree, Moore knows firsthand what it’s like to be the only person in the room who looks and talks like her. She has made it her mission
to change that. Deeply committed to assembling a uniquely diverse team, KDM is proof of the unquestionable advantages to ensuring diversity in background, thought, and experience. Moore strongly believes that having
different perspectives when solving complex issues will have a positive impact on our infrastructure well into the future.

A fierce supporter of women and minorities in STEM, Moore also created Calculated Genius, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to helping underrepresented youth explore and connect to engineering. Focusing on giving back to the local community, Calculated Genius funds a summer STEM and entrepreneurship program for local high school students and provides scholarships to women pursuing STEM-related degrees at the collegiate level.

Moore sits on the NIU Alumni Association Board and the City of Chicago Affirmative Action Advisory Board. She has received several awards recognizing her success in building KDM Engineering into the thriving company it is today,
including:

  • Chicago United Business Leaders of Color, 2023
  • The Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Award, 2023 
  • Crain’s Chicago Notable Black Leaders & Executives, 2022
  • Society of Women Engineers’ Entrepreneur Award, 2021
  • The National Association of Women Business Owners’ Woman Business Owner of the Year, 2021
  • EY Entrepreneur of the Year Midwest 2020 Winner
  • Northern Illinois University Office of Academic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’s Richard A. Flournory Engagement Award, 2020
  • U.S. Small Business Administration’s Illinois Rising Star Small Business of the Year, 2020
  • Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Women in STEM, 2020
  • Chicago Council on Science & Technology (C2ST) Young Professional Award, 2019
  • ATHENA Emerging Leader Award, 2019
  • Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40, 2019
  • Enterprising Women of the Year, 2018
  • Engineering News-Record’s 40 Under 40 Midwest, 2018
  • Engineering News-Record’s 20 Under 40 National, 2018
  • Consulting Specifying Engineer’s 40 Under 40, 2018
KDM Engineering Founder & President Kimberly Moore

Kimberly D. Moore

President & Founder
Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, Kimberly Moore had always been a fan of tinkering. Lovingly known to her family as “Ms. Fix It” — even at a young age, she was able to focus on creative ways to solve problems. Moore received her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Northern Illinois University, playing D1 basketball for the NIU Huskies while an undergraduate. After landing a job at a nuclear power plant, Moore soon gave in to the call of secondary education, pursuing her Master’s in Sound Engineering at NIU as well. After graduation, Moore worked in a few other positions before her entrepreneurial spirit ultimately drove her to pursue her dream of starting her own engineering firm.

Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, Kimberly Moore had always been a fan of tinkering. Lovingly known to her family as “Ms. Fix It” — even at a young age, she was able to focus on creative ways to solve problems. Moore received her
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Northern Illinois University, playing D1 basketball for the NIU Huskies while an undergraduate.

After landing a job at a nuclear power plant, Moore soon gave in to the call of secondary education, pursuing her Master’s in Sound Engineering at NIU as well. After graduation, Moore worked in a few other positions before her entrepreneurial spirit ultimately drove her to pursue her dream of starting her own engineering firm.

In 2008, Moore created KDM Engineering to provide consulting services on engineering projects. Unfortunately, the effects of the recession, coupled with Moore’s father falling ill, resulted in the temporary closure of KDM while she went to care for him full-time. After his untimely death in 2011, Moore returned more determined than ever to build KDM into the successful company she had envisioned. Under Moore’s guiding hand and unique leadership style,
KDM has become a proven leader in the industry, growing to over 100 employees and successfully completing work
on thousands of projects.

Being among the first few black women to graduate from NIU with an electrical engineering degree, Moore knows firsthand what it’s like to be the only person in the room who looks and talks like her. She has made it her mission
to change that. Deeply committed to assembling a uniquely diverse team, KDM is proof of the unquestionable advantages to ensuring diversity in background, thought, and experience. Moore strongly believes that having
different perspectives when solving complex issues will have a positive impact on our infrastructure well into the future.

A fierce supporter of women and minorities in STEM, Moore also created Calculated Genius, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to helping underrepresented youth explore and connect to engineering. Focusing on giving back to the local community, Calculated Genius funds a summer STEM and entrepreneurship program for local high school students and provides scholarships to women pursuing STEM-related degrees at the collegiate level.

Moore sits on the NIU Alumni Association Board and the City of Chicago Affirmative Action Advisory Board. She has received several awards recognizing her success in building KDM Engineering into the thriving company it is today,
including:

  • Chicago United Business Leaders of Color, 2023
  • The Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Award, 2023 
  • Crain’s Chicago Notable Black Leaders & Executives, 2022
  • Society of Women Engineers’ Entrepreneur Award, 2021
  • The National Association of Women Business Owners’ Woman Business Owner of the Year, 2021
  • EY Entrepreneur of the Year Midwest 2020 Winner
  • Northern Illinois University Office of Academic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’s Richard A. Flournory Engagement Award, 2020
  • U.S. Small Business Administration’s Illinois Rising Star Small Business of the Year, 2020
  • Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Women in STEM, 2020
  • Chicago Council on Science & Technology (C2ST) Young Professional Award, 2019
  • ATHENA Emerging Leader Award, 2019
  • Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40, 2019
  • Enterprising Women of the Year, 2018
  • Engineering News-Record’s 40 Under 40 Midwest, 2018
  • Engineering News-Record’s 20 Under 40 National, 2018
  • Consulting Specifying Engineer’s 40 Under 40, 2018
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KDM Engineering Executive Vice President Claire Williams

Claire M. WilliamsExecutive Vice President

From an entry-level marketing position to President and COO of Environmental Design International, Inc. (EDI) and now Executive Vice President of KDM Engineering, Claire Williams built a reputation of excellence, establishing herself as a 25-year business leader recognized in architectural, engineering and construction industries for corporate strategy, business development, and financial management, delivering data-driven solutions to public and private sector clients. Well-known for her ability to identify opportunities and resolve problems before they become barriers, Ms. Williams combines leadership experience with keen listening and assessment skills, helping her manage diverse teams and meet business goals.

A graduate of Rutgers University (B.S.), The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (CMT) and Central Michigan University (MSA), Ms. Williams began her career in the healthcare industry in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Joining EDI in 1996, she spent the next two decades working with EDI’s founder, the late Deborah Sawyer, to grow the professional engineering firm from six people to a robust 70-person team. As President and COO of EDI from 2015-2019, Ms. Williams was  responsible for the firm’s business strategy and operations, project management, and financial oversight.

During that time, her leadership experience and talent for collaboration resulted in the largest contract ever awarded to a M/W/DBE firm by the Illinois Department of Transportation for Phase III engineering services on a $100MM segment of the Dan Ryan Expressway. A concept taken to the Tollway as a contracting success story.

In a strategic career move, Ms. Williams left EDI in 2019 to join KDM Engineering as Executive Vice President and help drive the company’s long-term business strategy, as well as help to achieve the aggressive financial and team growth goals. Striving to become one of the preferred, multi-faceted engineering firms in the power and utility industries, KDM relies on Ms. Williams to provide the operational structure necessary to build upon the company’s early growth and success. Her exceptional ability to build and maintain relationships, as well as collaborate with a wide range of professionals has been a significant advantage as KDM expands their work to new sectors and clients.

A fierce supporter and advocate of women- and minority-owned businesses, Ms. Williams offers her expert insight into diversity through her involvement with Women in Transportation (WTS) Diversity Committee, Federation of Women Contractors (FWC) Diversity Committee, and the ICAT DBE Committee. She is also an active member of the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), a Director-at-Large on the Lambda Alpha International (LAI) Ely Chapter Board of Directors, and sits on the Forest Preserve Foundation Board of Directors, co-chairing the Conservation Cup, an annual fundraiser of the Foundation.

KDM Engineering Executive Vice President Claire Williams

Claire M. Williams

Executive Vice President
From an entry-level marketing position to President and COO of Environmental Design International, Inc. (EDI) and now Executive Vice President of KDM Engineering, Claire Williams built a reputation of excellence, establishing herself as a 25-year business leader recognized in architectural, engineering and construction industries for corporate strategy, business development, and financial management, delivering data-driven solutions to public and private sector clients. Well-known for her ability to identify opportunities and resolve problems before they become barriers, Ms. Williams combines leadership experience with keen listening and assessment skills, helping her manage diverse teams and meet business goals.

From an entry-level marketing position to President and COO of Environmental Design International, Inc. (EDI) and now Executive Vice President of KDM Engineering, Claire Williams built a reputation of excellence, establishing herself as a 25-year business leader recognized in architectural, engineering and construction industries for corporate strategy, business development, and financial management, delivering data-driven solutions to public and private sector clients. Well-known for her ability to identify opportunities and resolve problems before they become barriers, Ms. Williams combines leadership experience with keen listening and assessment skills, helping her manage diverse teams and meet business goals.

A graduate of Rutgers University (B.S.), The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (CMT) and Central Michigan University (MSA), Ms. Williams began her career in the healthcare industry in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Joining EDI in 1996, she spent the next two decades working with EDI’s founder, the late Deborah Sawyer, to grow the professional engineering firm from six people to a robust 70-person team. As President and COO of EDI from 2015-2019, Ms. Williams was  responsible for the firm’s business strategy and operations, project management, and financial oversight.

During that time, her leadership experience and talent for collaboration resulted in the largest contract ever awarded to a M/W/DBE firm by the Illinois Department of Transportation for Phase III engineering services on a $100MM segment of the Dan Ryan Expressway. A concept taken to the Tollway as a contracting success story.

In a strategic career move, Ms. Williams left EDI in 2019 to join KDM Engineering as Executive Vice President and help drive the company’s long-term business strategy, as well as help to achieve the aggressive financial and team growth goals. Striving to become one of the preferred, multi-faceted engineering firms in the power and utility industries, KDM relies on Ms. Williams to provide the operational structure necessary to build upon the company’s early growth and success. Her exceptional ability to build and maintain relationships, as well as collaborate with a wide range of professionals has been a significant advantage as KDM expands their work to new sectors and clients.

A fierce supporter and advocate of women- and minority-owned businesses, Ms. Williams offers her expert insight into diversity through her involvement with Women in Transportation (WTS) Diversity Committee, Federation of Women Contractors (FWC) Diversity Committee, and the ICAT DBE Committee. She is also an active member of the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), a Director-at-Large on the Lambda Alpha International (LAI) Ely Chapter Board of Directors, and sits on the Forest Preserve Foundation Board of Directors, co-chairing the Conservation Cup, an annual fundraiser of the Foundation.

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KDM Engineering Director of Integrated Systems Kevin Swan

Kevin SwanDirector of Integrated Systems

Raised in the south suburbs of Chicago, Kevin Swan began his career as a financial professional after receiving his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Swan worked alongside his father at AXA Advisors, where the father-son duo were inspired to start Legacy Advisors in 2015, a financial planning firm dedicated to helping business owners, physicians, and individuals create strategies to pass their legacies to future generations by managing and protecting their wealth more tax efficiently. As a certified Retirement Planning Specialist Mr. Swan also worked with educators, helping them plan for financial security with a special focus on retirement planning.

After 16 years in the financial services industry, Mr. Swan pivoted in his career, becoming Director of Operations for KDM Engineering, PLLC in Chicago, a WBE/MBE professional engineering firm, focusing on power delivery, gas distribution and telecommunications design. In this role, he became responsible for HR, finances, facility management, program management, and resource management of over 50 professionals. Mr. Swan was also a key strategist responsible for driving and achieving KDM’s nationwide growth strategy, overseeing the establishment of the firm’s east coast offices in Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Due to his success in KDM’s early growth, Mr. Swan transitioned from Operations to Director of Business Development, and is now overseeing and implementing strategies to achieve KDM’s aggressive new goals for expansion both within the company’s current service areas, as well as across the U.S. He is focused on relationship building with new clients and partners to bring in work from markets KDM has not done business with yet.

Mr. Swan resides in the suburbs of Chicago with his wife Yolanda and their two sons, Kevin, Jr., and Kaleb. He has been a dedicated member of New Faith Baptist Church International for over 30 years. He sings in various choirs and is a member of the Trustee Board Ministry. Using his financial advisor experience, Mr. Swan volunteers his time leading financial workshops and seminars, particularly to younger groups, believing financial education to be a paramount component of a child’s development. Mr. Swan is also the President and Founder of the Rich South Alumni Association for his high school, whose mission is to encourage graduates to return and share their time and experiences with the leaders of the future.

KDM Engineering Director of Integrated Systems Kevin Swan

Kevin Swan

Director of Integrated Systems
Raised in the south suburbs of Chicago, Kevin Swan began his career as a financial professional after receiving his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Swan worked alongside his father at AXA Advisors, where the father-son duo were inspired to start Legacy Advisors in 2015, a financial planning firm dedicated to helping business owners, physicians, and individuals create strategies to pass their legacies to future generations by managing and protecting their wealth more tax efficiently. As a certified Retirement Planning Specialist Mr. Swan also worked with educators, helping them plan for financial security with a special focus on retirement planning.

Raised in the south suburbs of Chicago, Kevin Swan began his career as a financial professional after receiving his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Swan worked alongside his father at AXA Advisors, where the father-son duo were inspired to start Legacy Advisors in 2015, a financial planning firm dedicated to helping business owners, physicians, and individuals create strategies to pass their legacies to future generations by managing and protecting their wealth more tax efficiently. As a certified Retirement Planning Specialist Mr. Swan also worked with educators, helping them plan for financial security with a special focus on retirement planning.

After 16 years in the financial services industry, Mr. Swan pivoted in his career, becoming Director of Operations for KDM Engineering, PLLC in Chicago, a WBE/MBE professional engineering firm, focusing on power delivery, gas distribution and telecommunications design. In this role, he became responsible for HR, finances, facility management, program management, and resource management of over 50 professionals. Mr. Swan was also a key strategist responsible for driving and achieving KDM’s nationwide growth strategy, overseeing the establishment of the firm’s east coast offices in Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Due to his success in KDM’s early growth, Mr. Swan transitioned from Operations to Director of Business Development, and is now overseeing and implementing strategies to achieve KDM’s aggressive new goals for expansion both within the company’s current service areas, as well as across the U.S. He is focused on relationship building with new clients and partners to bring in work from markets KDM has not done business with yet.

Mr. Swan resides in the suburbs of Chicago with his wife Yolanda and their two sons, Kevin, Jr., and Kaleb. He has been a dedicated member of New Faith Baptist Church International for over 30 years. He sings in various choirs and is a member of the Trustee Board Ministry. Using his financial advisor experience, Mr. Swan volunteers his time leading financial workshops and seminars, particularly to younger groups, believing financial education to be a paramount component of a child’s development. Mr. Swan is also the President and Founder of the Rich South Alumni Association for his high school, whose mission is to encourage graduates to return and share their time and experiences with the leaders of the future.

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