ASCE OC Younger Member Forum: Younger Member Leadership Symposium 2026

ASCE Orange County was proudly represented at the 2026 ASCE Younger Member Leadership Symposium (YMLS) in Reston, Virginia (ASCE Headquarters). The symposium brought together younger members from across the country for leadership development, networking, and professional growth.

Throughout the symposium, we had the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics, including modern leadership, communication styles, and engineering ethics. The sessions provided valuable insights and tools that we can bring back to our careers and involvement within ASCE.

ASCE Orange County YMF was also recognized with several awards during the symposium:

• ASCE OC YMF – 2026 Outstanding Younger Member Group Digital Outreach (Large Groups)

• Marionne Lapitan – 2026 Daniel W. Mead Prize for Younger Members

• Sam Saldivar – 2026 Young Government Civil Engineer of the Year

It was a great opportunity to connect with fellow younger members from across ASCE, exchange ideas, and celebrate the accomplishments of ASCE Orange County YMF. 

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About the Author:

Samuel Saldivar is a Civil Engineering Associate working in the Inter-Agency Utility Coordination group at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). He received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree at Cal Poly Pomona. Sam currently serves as the ASCE OC YMF External Activities Chair. On his free time, he enjoys to traveling and spending time with friends and family.