Smita Shah, P.E.

Smita Shah is President and CEO of SPAAN Tech, Inc. She is a Professional Engineer(PE) licensed in multiple states, (LEED AP BD+C), with an extensive engineering and business education from Northwestern University, MIT and Oxford University. 

Ms. Shah launched this award-winning business in 1998 which has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the 5,000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies, The Small Business Commerce Association as Best of Business in Chicago Engineering Services and the American Council of Engineering Companies Engineering Excellence Honor Award.

An influential business leader, Ms. Shah, has been recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as the 19th Most Connected Person in Chicago, the American Society of Civil Engineers as Young Civil Engineer of the Year, the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Finalist and the American Consulting Engineers Council of Illinois Community Leader of the Year.  Ms. Shah has served under multiple White House administrations, was recently appointed to Illinois Governor-Elect JB Pritzker's Transition Team and is part of the Restoring Illinois' Infrastructure Committee.

Ms. Shah serves on the Board of Directors for many businesses and organizations including the Chicago Plan Commission, Museum of Science and Industry, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, After School Matters and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation.

Ms. Shah serves as a civic leader and strategic advisor for leading public policy organizations with contributions that include: M.I.T. Corporation Development Council, Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering Advisory Council and Delegate and Vice-Chair of the Rules Committee at the Democratic National Convention.

Recognized for her dedication to strengthen international partnerships and promote economic and cultural growth, Ms. Shah is the recipient of congressionally recognized Ellis Island Medal of Honor, works as Chairman of the Delhi-Chicago Sister Cities Committee, is a U.S. delegate for the APEC Women and the Economy Forum (WEF) and provides support on the White House Advance Team.

With a strong commitment to nurture entrepreneurism and innovation, Ms. Shah is an advocate for the growth of small businesses in emerging industries and the promotion of community enterprise. She embraces every opportunity to mentor young professionals and inspire future leaders.