Forensic engineer Tessa Drinnan spotlights leadership and mentorship

Tessa Drinnan, M.S., PE, NCEES, is being featured for her work leading TD Forensics LLC in Arvada, Colorado, and for her role as a forensic engineering expert, educator and community volunteer. Her profile highlights the growing need for clear technical communication, mentorship and representation in a male-dominated field.

Why it matters: - Tessa Drinnan’s profile highlights how forensic engineering affects structural safety, construction disputes and catastrophe response. - Her work shows why clear technical communication matters in cases where insurers, attorneys, contractors, realtors and homeowners need fast, credible answers. - The profile also puts a spotlight on women advancing in a male-dominated engineering specialty.

What happened: - Influential Women featured Tessa Drinnan, M.S., PE, NCEES, a Senior Forensic Consultant and Owner of TD Forensics LLC. - Drinnan has led TD Forensics LLC for more than 12 years. - She has more than 20 years of experience in forensic engineering. - Her work covers building failure analysis, structural integrity assessments, construction defect investigations, catastrophe response and expert witness testimony. - The profile was published from Arvada, Colorado, on July 2, 2026. - A full profile is available through Influential Women.

The details: - Drinnan earned a Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. - She earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Colorado. - Drinnan holds Professional Engineering licenses in nine states. - She maintains a current record with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. - Drinnan continues ongoing education to keep pace with industry standards and engineering advances. - Before engineering, Drinnan started in pre-med studies before shifting paths through mentorship and academic guidance. - She also has served as an adjunct professor and regularly speaks to national industry organizations. - Her presentations cover forensic investigations, engineering methods and best practices. - Drinnan is Program Co-Director of Excalibur Outreach. - Through that role, she helps lead community holiday events and annual turkey drives across Colorado. - Her recognition includes being named a “Badass Woman of Arvada.”

Between the lines: - Drinnan’s career story centers on two advantages that are often undervalued in technical fields: communication and confidence. - Her experience suggests that forensic engineers are not only investigators, but also translators between technical findings and real-world decisions. - The profile also reflects a broader push to normalize women’s leadership in engineering spaces where bias, job-site safety and physical demands remain barriers. - Mentorship appears to have played a major role in shaping Drinnan’s career path, first by steering her away from medicine and later toward forensic engineering.

What's next: - Drinnan says young women entering engineering should build confidence early, develop expertise quickly and communicate clearly from the start. - She expects continued opportunities in forensic engineering as awareness grows and more professionals enter the field. - Drinnan’s ongoing focus remains leadership at TD Forensics LLC, mentoring and community service.

The bottom line: - Drinnan’s profile frames forensic engineering as both a technical discipline and a communication-driven profession, with community leadership and mentorship extending her influence beyond the job site.