By Akers Editorial
40 Under 40: Megan Elliott
My inspirations: Beyond titles and achievements, what drives me each day is my family. With three sisters and 10 nieces and nephews, I’m inspired to be a role model and show them the importance of kindness, perseverance, and living with integrity. Their energy, curiosity, and love motivate me to give my best, embrace challenges, and cherish each moment. Knowing that I can make a difference in their lives and be someone they can look up to, is what truly gets me going every morning.
How I’ve grown: One defining moment that shaped who I am today was being given the responsibility to manage and design a large community project, a challenge far outside my comfort zone. A senior co-worker gave me advice that has stayed with me: “If a task makes you uncomfortable, it often means you’re growing personally and professionally.” While it’s okay to say no, I learned that by leaning on the support of those around me, I could rise to the challenge and achieve more than I imagined. That experience taught me to embrace challenges, trust my team and have confidence in my own abilities, lessons that continue to guide me in both life and leadership.
At just 27, Megan Elliott is already making her mark in the engineering world. SECO Energy’s Director of Project Engineering leads with confidence, collaboration and a love for solving problems that strengthen the communities she grew up around.
Her path started eight years ago as an intern. Today, she oversees major projects with a work ethic that doesn’t quit, all while keeping up with her two golden doodles.
One of her favorite things to share is how she built her career step by step.
“I started at SECO as an intern eight years ago and have since worked my way into leadership, all while earning my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering,” she says.
That determination shaped the leader she has become.
A standout moment in her growth came when she was asked to manage and design a large community project early in her career. It was overwhelming at first, but it changed everything.
“A senior co-worker gave me advice that has stayed with me: if a task makes you uncomfortable, it often means you’re growing personally and professionally,” Megan says.
She learned to lean on her team, trust the process and step into challenges with confidence. Those lessons still guide how she works and leads today.
Balancing school, work and life was another major test.
“There were times when it felt overwhelming,” she says.
Looking back, she says it’s a time that really taught her discipline, time management and self-compassion.
“It changed the way I lead. I now recognize the importance of supporting others in finding balance and giving them space to grow at their own pace.”
That experience shaped a leadership style rooted in empathy, trust and encouragement.
Megan hopes her legacy reflects that approach.
“I hope people remember me as someone who cared deeply about people, about growth and about making a difference,” she says.
She wants to lead by example, create a workplace where collaboration thrives and inspire others to see what’s possible in engineering.
Her work is meaningful, but her biggest motivation is much closer to home.
“With three sisters and 10 nieces and nephews, I’m inspired to be a role model and show them the importance of kindness, perseverance and living with integrity,” Megan says.
Their energy fuels her, and the chance to be someone they look up to is what gets her moving every morning.
