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NextGen/Young Professionals – “Coffee With” Petra Messick,
Join us for our next episode in our “Coffee With…” Virtual Conversation on July 31 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM featuring our guest, Petra Messick.
The “Coffee With…” Series is a NextGen initiative created to advance DBIA’s mission of promoting excellence in Design-Build project delivery by connecting emerging professionals with experienced industry leaders.
This informal, virtual forum provides young professionals the opportunity to listen and learn from candid conversations about real-world Design-Build execution – including integrated team dynamics, risk allocation, procurement strategies, leadership decision-making, and lessons learned across complex projects. The series emphasizes open dialogue and firsthand experience, reinforcing DBIA Best Practices and exposing participants to the cultural and collaborative foundations that define successful Design-Build delivery.
By providing consistent access to authentic industry insight in a virtual and accessible format, the initiative strengthens engagement within the DBIA community, supports professional growth and credentialing pathways, and helps prepare the next generation to lead integrated project delivery across the region.
This event is only open to DBIA NextGen/Young Professionals (ages 35 and under).
Hosted By: Sheriff Naggar Project Manager, Hill International, Inc.
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Please note: This event will take place on Zoom. You will receive a follow-up email with the Zoom link.
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ABOUT OUR GUEST
Petra Messick
Senior Program Director in Amtrak’s Capital Delivery Department.
Petra Messick is a transportation and infrastructure professional with 25 years of experience leading complex rail, transit, and regional development initiatives. She currently serves as Senior Program Director in Amtrak’s Capital Delivery Department, where she manages major capital investments and strategic infrastructure programs, including Amtrak’s interest in the Hudson Tunnel Project, one of the most significant transportation initiatives in the United States.
Since joining Amtrak in 2012, Messick has held leadership roles spanning planning, program management, stakeholder engagement, communications, and project governance. She directed planning efforts to expand trans-Hudson rail capacity, led procurement of major engineering contracts, managed multimillion-dollar capital portfolios, and established governance, controls, and program management frameworks to strengthen delivery of complex infrastructure investments.
Most recently, Messick was appointed Amtrak’s owner’s representative for the development of a new Midwest Maintenance Facility in Chicago, to be delivered through a public-private partnership. In this role, she oversees the delivery of a critical asset supporting Amtrak’s national operations.
Prior to joining Amtrak, Messick spent 12 years at the Regional Plan Association, where she directed America 2050, a nationally recognized initiative focused on infrastructure investment, megaregional planning, and high-speed rail policy. She testified before Congress, led major policy and research efforts, and convened business, civic, and government leaders on transportation and economic development issues. Earlier in her career, she helped guide planning and public engagement efforts supporting the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan following the September 11 attacks.
Messick holds a Master of City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University, a B.A. from Vassar College, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). She has also taught graduate-level planning and urban policy at Pratt Institute and The New School
MEET YOUR HOST
Sheriff Naggar
Project Manager, Hill International, Inc.
Sheriff Naggar is a Project Manager & Claims Consultant with over 10 years of experience delivering mega Design-Build infrastructure programs, including projects with an aggregate portfolio exceeding $35B. He has supported landmark initiatives such as the Hudson Tunnel Project, Borough-Based Jail Program, and Penn Station Expansion, specializing in project management, risk management, dispute resolution, cost control, scheduling, and contract administration. Sheriff serves as Chair of DBIA NextGen and holds a Master of Science in Construction Management from Columbia University and a Program in Finance and Behavioral Economics from Harvard Business School.