Work Here Grow Here Kim Shanahan

Some people find a workplace they love and stay. Kim Shanahan has done that twice. And the second time, she found something even better.

When Kim was ready for a new chapter after nearly 15 years at another engineering firm, she knew exactly what she was looking for. She wanted a place where people stayed long term, genuinely liked working together, and tackled a wide variety of projects. She was taking classes at MCC at the time, and the answer kept coming back to the same name.

“Everyone had great things to say about Lamp Rynearson,” she recalls.

Ten years later, it is easy to see why she listened.

The Work That Matters Most

Kim’s title is Human Capital Manager, but her favorite part of the role is deeply personal. She helps people find their voice.

Whether it is someone working up the courage to speak honestly with their manager about what they need, or a leader preparing for a difficult performance conversation, Kim shows up for those moments. She helps people feel more prepared, more confident, and more capable of having the conversations that actually move things forward.

“These conversations don’t come easy for anyone,” she says. “If I can help someone feel more confident and find their voice, that’s right where I need to be.”

That kind of work does not show up on a project list. But its impact is felt across the entire firm.

A Career Built on Opportunity

If you asked Kim to map out her career path at Lamp Rynearson, she would probably smile and call it a “choose your own adventure.” She has worked on project teams with Design Group, led organizational development efforts, and grown steadily into broader HR leadership. Each chapter has built on the last.

Her goal for the future is simple: keep going. She hopes to continue taking advantage of the opportunities Lamp Rynearson offers and to grow further in her leadership with the firm. Given her track record, that trajectory looks promising.

The Moments That Define the Culture

Ask Kim about her best memories from the past decade, and she will tell you it is the gatherings. The holiday party. The employee appreciation lunch. The Legacy Rewards outings. For Kim, those events are not just perks. They are proof.

“Anytime people gather at Lamp Rynearson, you can really just see and feel how much people enjoy being together.”

That is not something you can manufacture. It is something you build over time, with the right people, in the right culture.

Beyond the Office

When Kim is not coaching someone through a tough conversation or building out HR strategy, she is planning her next adventure. She and her husband travel as often as they can, with a strong preference for destinations with mountains. New places, new foods, new experiences. For someone who has spent a decade helping others grow, it makes sense that she keeps growing too.

Here is to ten years, Kim. And to every adventure still ahead