At BGE, leadership is defined by purpose, impact, and the ability to elevate others. This year, we proudly recognize two outstanding leaders — Keli Schroeder and Lindsay Kovar, who have been nominated for the Women Who Mean Business Award. Their nominations reflect not only individual excellence but also the values that shape our organization: integrity, innovation, and inclusion.
Keli Schroeder: A Career Built on Commitment and Culture
For Keli Schroeder, Director, District Services, the nomination is both a personal milestone and a professional affirmation. “It’s a chance to pause and appreciate the people who’ve supported and influenced my journey”, she shares. That sentiment reflects the essence of her leadership — rooted in servant leadership, collaboration, and a deep commitment to help others grow.
Over her 25-year career, Keli has witnessed BGE evolve from a 40-person firm into a regional powerhouse with more than 1,100 employees. One of her proudest decisions came early on when she chose to stay at BGE despite an offer from a competitor. “That moment shaped my journey in ways I couldn’t have imagined,” she reflects.
Her leadership has been instrumental in guiding the company through three seamless leadership transitions, each honoring the legacy of BGE’s founders. She also played a key role in defining the “BGE Way” — a cultural framework that captures the values and principles that make the company unique.
When asked how she defines innovation in her role, Keli points to the evolution of technology. Having entered the industry in 1996, she recalls the early days of the Windows operating system and Microsoft Suite. “Technology has dramatically improved our efficiency in managing multiple projects and clients,” she notes. Today, she continues to champion operational adaptability and digital transformation.
Beyond her technical and strategic contributions, Schroeder is a champion for inclusion. She fosters a culture of psychological safety, encouraging her team to take risks, learn from failure, and grow. “I provide a safe place to fail,” she says. “At the heart of it all is encouragement and open communication.”
Her advice to emerging women leaders is both empowering and grounded: “You can be anything you aspire to — and you can be all of it. The key is learning to navigate the ever-changing demands of life, knowing when to shift your focus, and never losing sight of who you are at your core.”
Outside of work, Keli finds joy in family and travel. “Time is precious,” she says. “Creating memories and relationships through time with my husband and kids is so important to me.”
If she could summarize her leadership legacy in one line, it would be this: “She led with purpose, lifted others, and left every place better than she found it.”
Lindsay Kovar: Empowering Innovation and Embracing the Unconventional
For Lindsay Kovar, Director of Public Works, the Women Who Mean Business nomination has been a moment of connection and reflection. “I’ve been really touched”, she says. “The congratulations and kind words I’ve received have reminded me how incredible our people and industry truly are.”
Lindsay’s leadership style is inclusive and imaginative. She believes in cultivating engineers into who they want to become — not who they’re expected to be. “Two people can have different ways to accomplish the same task and both be right,” she says. “The fun happens when you go outside the lines and create a whole new picture.”
Her proudest initiative to date is the HUB — a company-wide resource designed to foster collaboration and long-term growth. “It was a time I stepped out of my comfort zone to push for something that would serve BGE long term”, she shares. The project reflects her commitment to strategic thinking and her willingness to challenge conventions.
Rather than pointing to a single pivotal moment, Lindsay views her career as a continuous evolution. “You look back and realize that over time you’ve grown,” she says. “The biggest way I’ve grown is finding my voice — to not shy away from speaking up for my ideas and my people.”
When asked how she defines innovation, Lindsay describes it as a mindset. “It’s the willingness to look at new ways to do things,” she explains. Whether through technology, imagination, or listening to others, she embraces change as a catalyst for progress.
Fostering a culture of inclusion by actively engaging team members at every level, and encouraging both junior and senior colleagues to contribute, collaborate, and share ideas, Lindsay’s leadership is anchored in empowerment, creativity, and trust, creating space for others to grow authentically. When asked what advice she offers emerging women leaders, her response is refreshingly candid: “It’s okay to say no. Aspire to do what feels valued and important — not just what checks every box.”
Outside of BGE, Lindsay is a passionate advocate for equal rights and volunteers with FCC Katy, an affirming church that supports the LGBTQ+ community.
Her leadership legacy, in her own words:
“Inspiring innovation and empowering others to color beyond the lines.”
Celebrating Impact
Keli Schroeder and Lindsay Kovar exemplify the leadership values that define BGE: purpose, innovation, and people-first thinking. Their nominations for the Women Who Mean Business Award are a testament to their influence — not only within our organization but across the industry.
We are proud to celebrate their achievements and honored to have them as part of the BGE family. Their stories remind us that leadership is not just about where we’re going — but how we get there, and who we bring along with us. has managed multi-million dollar projects and worked on joint ventures with the US Army Corps of Engineers, excelling in schedule and budget oversight, environmental and design reports, and construction coordination. Her leadership ensures seamless project execution, from planning through completion.
About BGE, Inc.
For 50 years, BGE, Inc. has served public and private clients as a full-service, multidiscipline engineering consulting firm with integrated capabilities. BGE delivers a broad range of advisory services, technical expertise and innovative, sustainable solutions to support local, regional and national communities as they shape the future of infrastructure. Backed by five decades of civil engineering leadership, BGE helps our client partners solve their most critical challenges Explore our consulting services and solutions: https://www.bgeinc.com/
