The Region
Rwanda, officially known as the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country situated in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa. Often referred to as the "land of a thousand hills" due to its mountainous terrain, Rwanda is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rwanda is known for its stunning landscapes, including numerous lakes and a subtropical climate. The country has made significant strides in economic development and social reconciliation and is notable for its high population density and efforts toward environmental sustainability.
For those living in the isolated, mountainous regions of Rwanda, rivers often represent missed opportunities. During the rainy seasons each year, they become impassable and disrupt the lives of those who must cross rivers to access essential resources, including health care, markets and schools.
Bridges to Prosperity (B2P) is a nonprofit organization focused on eliminating rural isolation and creating economic opportunities by building trail bridges over impassable rivers. B2P identified a site in the Gicumbi District, located in the north-central region of Rwanda, to build a suspension bridge over the Rugabano River.
The Project
In late February and early March 2025, 10 Michael Baker International colleagues – representing offices from Virginia Beach to San Diego – traveled to Rwanda to partner with B2P and community members on the construction of the Busabira trail bridge. The site of the new bridge was surrounded by rolling hills and farmland, where residents grow pumpkins, bananas, coffee, plantains, peppers, mangos and more.
The two-week build began with painting and erecting the towers at both ends of the bridge, then pulling and setting the four main suspension cables. Each workday started with stretching, singing and dancing, led by the local community members working on the bridge. Under the hot sun, the team bent rebar and prepped cables for the decking, then lifted the suspenders and floor beams as the bridge began to take shape. With week two of construction came the removal of the scaffolding around the towers. Working side-by-side with the community, the team installed deck panels, floor beams, handrails and fencing along the 311-foot-long bridge. With the pouring of concrete at the approaches and some final touches, the bridge was complete.
Throughout the build, the Michael Baker team took every chance to connect with the local residents who had warmly welcomed them into their community. The team members committed to learning and using Kinyarwanda words and phrases during each workday, such as muraho (hello), hagarara (stop) and nahejo (see you tomorrow). They also hosted two barbeques for their Rwandan teammates, providing extra opportunities for everyone to get to know each other.
Each day, more and more children from the surrounding communities visited the project site to watch the team at work. Their smiles and excitement energized the team, reminding them of the people whose lives would be impacted by the new bridge. A highlight for the whole team was their visit to a nearby school, GS Nyabisiga. They brought donations for the school, including coloring books, soccer balls, jump ropes, yo-yos and more, and received drawings created by students as a “thank you” for their work on the bridge.
Our Impact
At the conclusion of the two-week build, the Michael Baker team members joined B2P staff, local government representatives and community members of all ages for an inauguration celebration. With speeches, a ribbon cutting, and plenty of singing and dancing, the ceremony marked the official opening of the Busabira trail bridge. Following the ceremony, local community members in attendance put the bridge to its first – and most important – test, as hundreds of residents crossed the bridge for the very first time. The team had the opportunity to witness these crossings, getting a glimpse of how the bridge will continue to serve the community for many years to come.
The Busabira trail bridge will provide safe, year-round access for the Busabira, Gatare and Minanira communities, providing access to education and economic opportunities for generations to come. The Busabira bridge marks the ninth bridge Michael Baker has completed in partnership with B2P, Making a Difference in the lives of more than 20,500 people across two continents since the firm first began partnering with B2P in 2016.







Kirsten Bowen is a vice president and National Director for Rail and Transit at Michael Baker. In her role, Kirsten is responsible for positioning Michael Baker’s Rail and Transit Market for growth and leading a team of experts to deliver innovative solutions that modernize the country’s rail and transit infrastructure. Kirsten has been honored with several awards, including the Michael Baker International Chairman’s Award, the Meritorious Service Award from the Case Alumni Association and the WTS International Member of the Year Award. She was named a 2024 Women in Railroad Engineering honoree by Railway Track and Structures (RT&S) Magazine and was selected for Honorable Mention as part of the Railway Age 2024 Women in Rail Awards. Kirsten is also actively involved in several industry organizations, including WTS and AREMA.
Kirsten is proud to partner with B2P to Make a Difference and enrich the lives of people in a community in need. She lives in Cleveland, Ohio, and in her free time, Kirsten enjoys traveling with her family to enjoy amusement parks, zip lining, rope courses, kayaking, hiking and, of course, scenic train rides.
Fun fact: Kirsten and her son love traveling to amusement parks. They have been to nearly 20 parks in the last four years and hope to tackle all of the major parks in North America.
How has being a Michael Baker B2P team member impacted you?
It is very difficult to describe, but working with the local residents and seeing the community members each day was really impactful. It makes me want to make adjustments to daily life and reminds me to be happy with what you have.

Jason Stith is a Bridge Technical Manager at Michael Baker with experience working on major bridge projects nationwide covering every stage of a bridge’s lifecycle. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in a dozen states and has contributed to the development of national standards and best practice guidelines for the steel bridge industry. Jason has been published more than two dozen times in journal articles and industry papers, and he has delivered over 50 presentations to local, regional and national audiences.
Jason volunteered to join the 2025 Michael Baker B2P team to use his talents and skills for the betterment of others and to make a positive change in the world. Jason lives in Rineyville, Kentucky, with his wife and nine children and enjoys traveling, farming and coaching his kids’ sports teams.
Fun fact: Jason loves playing and coaching soccer. He has almost continuously coached the same U8 (under 8 years old) soccer team for the last seven years as each of his kids rotated through that age group.
How will this experience impact your job at Michael Baker moving forward?
I've always thought that working with a good team makes challenges situations "fun." This experience reinforced the belief that single-minded focus on a task by high-performing individuals can produce remarkable results.

Daniel Jensen is a Regional Technical Manager specializing in BIM for Bridges at Michael Baker. With more than 10 years of experience in the structures transportation industry, he is currently leading an effort to develop Digital Delivery networks across the country. His work with various state departments of transportation and software vendors has positioned him well to help lead the industry in Digital Delivery and other innovative technologies. Daniel’s expertise also extends to multiple variations of concrete and steel structures and analyzing different types of substructures in little to high seismic regions.
Daniel joined the Michael Baker B2P team to give back to those in need in communities around the world. He loves to be active with his colleagues, friends and dog (Winston) in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he enjoys golfing, fishing and finding ways to make great memories.
Fun fact: Daniel loves to work on vehicles and is restoring a 1969 Ford Mustang he bought when he was 16.
How has being a Michael Baker B2P team member impacted you?
This experience has humbled me in regard to possessions in life. It has helped me to realize that things do not make people happy, and simplicity in life is much better than the pursuit of something more

Jon Emenheiser has been a Bridge Technical Manager at Michael Baker since 2022 and is a licensed Professional and Structural Engineer in 11 states. He started his career in the structural testing of buildings and bridges in the U.S. and internationally before transitioning to bridge design. Jon has designed bridges across the country and has a specialty focus on complex concrete bridge structures and structures in high-seismic regions. He is involved with the Precast Concrete Institute and American Segmental Bridge Institute, contributing to the development of national design standards. Jon also teaches bridge design classes for the National Highway Institute for departments of transportation nationwide.
Jon joined the Michael Baker B2P team to support B2P’s vision of eliminating poverty caused by rural isolation and to improve lives by improving infrastructure. He lives in Denver, Colorado, and enjoys hiking, biking, skiing and kayaking in the Rocky Mountains.
Fun fact: Jon enjoys traveling in the U.S. and internationally and has been to 30 countries on five continents.
What were the most memorable and rewarding aspects of this experience?
As a bridge engineer, completing the bridge structure itself as part of a blended team was the most rewarding part of the experience. Being able to participate on a complicated structure with other bridge engineers was rewarding as well, and I was able to both learn about bridge structures from my bridge engineer colleagues and pass on my knowledge of bridges to members of the team from other disciplines.

Yolanda Bell works as a Designer at Michael Baker and has a diverse background in AutoCAD, graphic design and business administration. She recently obtained her Master of Science degree in Technology Management from North Carolina A&T State University to advance her career in the field of project management. Yolanda is also a lead member of the IDEA (Inclusive Diversity, Equity and Allyship) Committee for Michael Baker’s Mid-Atlantic Region.
Yolanda’s passion for giving back inspired her to join the Michael Baker B2P team. She cares deeply about service and community and is committed to addressing critical socioeconomic issues such as homelessness, hunger and health. Yolanda dedicates a significant amount of her time volunteering with organizations in her local community, particularly Habitat for Humanity. She loves caring for animals and interior design.
Fun fact: Yolanda rides a Harley Davidson motorcycle and enjoys nice rides in the country.
What have you learned from working and interacting with members of the community in Rwanda?
Living amongst the community members, I've witnessed firsthand the beauty of simplicity. Through their example, I've learned the art of perpetual gratitude and the joy of cherishing every positive moment. It's a gentle reminder that life's essence lies not in material wealth but in the warmth of loving connections and the support we offer one another. They've shown me that the path to true fulfillment is paved with love and kindness, making life's journey lighter and more meaningful.

Jennifer Riddle serves as the Southern Region Proposal Manager at Michael Baker, where she has dedicated more than 20 years in various roles. In her current position, Jennifer leads a 12-person proposal development team, focusing on creating high-quality, strategic proposals and presentations to secure new work for the company. She has been an active member of her local WTS chapter since its inception in 2011 and currently serves as the chapter President.
Jennifer’s inspiration to volunteer for this year’s B2P project stems from the compelling stories of individuals and communities who depend on these bridges daily for education and livelihoods. Her passion for helping others and giving back in meaningful ways drives her commitment. Jennifer has an eight-acre horse farm in Virginia Beach, where she resides with her 7-year-old son and their Australian cattle dog, Dally.
Fun fact: Jennifer raises a flock of more than 50 turkeys each year for the holidays.
What were the most memorable and rewarding aspects of the experience?
The most memorable and rewarding aspects of the experience were the daily interactions with the children who visited the bridge site. Their enthusiasm and curiosity were heartwarming. Additionally, waving to the many people walking along the roadside and witnessing their huge smiles is something I will always cherish.

Uriel Avelar is a Civil Associate focusing on Transportation at Michael Baker, where he began his career as an intern during his undergraduate studies at the University of Long Beach. In his role, Uriel works on transportation and roadway design projects at the state and city levels. He is well-versed in AutoCADD and MicroStation and is currently working on obtaining his Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.
Uriel has a passion for giving back to the community and is excited to Make a Difference by partnering with B2P to build a bridge that will have a lasting impact on many families in Rwanda. Based in Long Beach, California, Uriel loves the great outdoors and enjoys backpacking in the California backcountry.
Fun fact: Uriel loves visiting National Parks. His favorites include Yosemite National Park and Mount Rainer National Park.
How will this experience impact your job at Michael Baker moving forward?
I think this experience will really help me within my career and my own personal growth. Our group learned to come together, problem solve and communicate, and that's what this industry is all about – coming together for the greater good to make a difference.

Ricky Bhola is a Senior Project Engineer within Michael Baker’s New York operations, with a focus on Highway projects. He started his career at Michael Baker eight years ago after finishing his undergraduate studies at the City College of New York and later New York University. In his role, Ricky supports projects within the New York metro area, primarily for state and city agencies, and is currently working on a highway flood mitigation project in Queens, New York.
Ricky is participating in the 2025 B2P project to be part of the solution and to contribute in meaningful ways to help communities desperately in need of adequate access to critical resources. In his spare time, Ricky enjoys hiking and scuba diving.
Fun fact: Ricky did a solo hike to Mount Everest's Base Camp.
How has being a Michael Baker B2P team member impacted you?
I was humbled by this experience. By volunteering just two weeks of our time, we were able to make a significant difference to the communities that need this bridge to access opportunities and resources.

Damie Negus is a Civil Associate supporting Michael Baker’s Water Practice. She is a certified Engineer-in-Training in California and is currently working toward earning her Professional Engineering license. In her role at Michael Baker, Damie assists in hydraulic studies and the preliminary design of water and wastewater systems for municipal and federal projects. She leads the Early Career Professionals group in Michael Baker’s San Diego and Carlsbad offices, where she spearheads initiatives that support individuals in the early stages of their careers. Damie is also actively involved in ASCE Younger Members, where she has led STEM outreach efforts and mentored students, and she currently helps organize events that promote the professional and personal development of young engineers.
Damie was inspired to join the 2025 Michael Baker B2P team by her experience growing up in the Philippines and visiting family members in the U.S. She saw firsthand the significant differences in living conditions between the two countries, largely driven by the quality of civil engineering infrastructure. Damie pursued a career in civil engineering in order to enhance infrastructure and make a meaningful difference in underserved areas around the world. In her free time, Damie enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors. She also loves traveling and trying new experiences.
Fun fact: Damie is a licensed Civil Engineer and Plumbing Designer in the Philippines.
How has being a Michael Baker B2P team member impacted you?
I will never be able to fully express how this experience has changed and impacted me. I feel deeply grateful knowing that we helped keep the kids and the entire community safe whenever they need to cross the valley, especially during the rainy season. To know that our work will benefit them now and for generations to come is incredibly powerful. It was a humbling reminder of the importance of community, the value of purposeful work and the impact we can make in the lives of others.

Arnold Palacios is an Architectural Designer II at Michael Baker and is a Registered Architect in the state of Arizona and Mexico. As part of the Architectural Group, he specializes in BIM Modeling and works as a Project Architect with extensive experience on Department of Defense, Telecommunications and Commercial projects. Arnold is familiar with the various disciplines that comprise a comprehensive project, including Structural, Civil, Mechanical and Plumbing, Electrical, Fire Protection, Interior Design and Telecommunications, among others.
Arnold’s dedication to Making a Difference for those in need motivated him to volunteer to be part of the Michael Baker B2P team. He enjoys spending time with his wife and son, building and fixing things, and participating in outdoor activities including camping and hiking. Some of Arnold’s favorite things are ‘80s music, chocolate and rainy days.
Fun fact: Arnold was born and raised in the city of Hermosillo, the capital of the state of Sonora in the northwestern part of Mexico and moved to the U.S. in 2005. He also holds a black belt degree in the Japanese Martial Art of Iaido.
What were the most memorable and rewarding aspects of the experience?
Getting to know better the culture and people of Rwanda was the most memorable part. It was rewarding to see them sing and dance with joy after the inauguration ceremony, go on the elementary school visit, and interact with all those beautiful children and see their big smiles!