Dr. Kia A. Sutton, CPSM
Since NA
Active
SMPS Illinois member
AEC marketing professional
Dr. Kia A. Sutton leads comprehensive business development strategy for Infrastructure Engineering, Inc. (IEI), one of the largest African American-owned civil engineering firms in the Midwest with nearly 200 talented professionals across eight office locations spanning Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Georgia. As Director of Business Development at this rapidly expanding firm founded in 1998, she drives strategic partnerships, market positioning, and relationship development supporting IEI’s mission to transform, inspire, and enrich communities by reimagining infrastructure.
Her expertise spans civil and structural engineering business development with specialized knowledge in strategic partnership cultivation, stakeholder relationship management, market opportunity identification, and long-term client engagement across highway, roadway, bridge, water management, mass transit, and airport sectors. Dr. Sutton brings unique cross-disciplinary perspective gained through her pharmacy background and transition into AEC industry business development, demonstrating adaptability and strategic thinking that enhances client relationship approaches.
With over 5 years of professional experience in the AEC industry, Dr. Sutton has built a distinguished career characterized by relationship-building excellence, strategic innovation, and commitment to advancing both firm growth and community impact. Her comprehensive understanding of complex civil and structural engineering projects enables effective business development leadership for a firm recognized for delivering high-profile infrastructure initiatives including the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project, Jackson Park Transportation Network Improvements, and numerous Illinois Tollway, IDOT, and CDOT transformative projects.
Dr. Sutton earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Midwestern University and worked as a practicing pharmacist for several years before making a strategic career transition into AEC business development. This unique professional journey demonstrates her commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and applying analytical problem-solving skills across different industries to create meaningful impact.
Dr. Kia A. Sutton demonstrates exceptional professional leadership through her CPSM certification achievement and comprehensive business development coordination supporting IEI’s eight office locations across six states. Her role involves developing long-term strategic partnerships that position IEI as an engineering company of choice in respective markets, building relationships with diverse stakeholder groups including transportation agencies, municipalities, airport authorities, and private sector clients throughout the Midwest, Northeast, South, and Gulf Coast regions.
As a business development leader focused on identifying market opportunities to showcase IEI’s capabilities, work quality, and capacity for delivering complex civil and structural engineering projects, Dr. Sutton contributes to the firm’s impressive growth trajectory and expanding national footprint. Her strategic partnership development supports IEI’s work with major clients including Illinois Tollway, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM), Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and numerous other agencies across IEI’s service territory.
Beyond professional business development achievements, Dr. Sutton demonstrates remarkable dedication to community service and social impact through IEI’s culture of volunteering, participating in various initiatives including AIDS Run/Walk, Loaves and Fishes Clinic, and the SNPhA (Student National Pharmaceutical Association) Blood Pressure Drive. This community engagement reflects her pharmacy background and ongoing commitment to healthcare access and wellness initiatives that extend professional expertise into meaningful community contribution.
Her unique career transition from Doctor of Pharmacy to AEC business development leader demonstrates strategic adaptability, commitment to professional growth, and ability to apply analytical problem-solving skills across industries. Dr. Sutton’s pharmacy training in patient care, relationship management, and healthcare system navigation translates effectively into building strategic partnerships with engineering clients and understanding complex stakeholder needs.
Dr. Sutton’s leadership philosophy aligns with IEI’s foundational values of INGENUITY, emphasizing creative problem-solving, relationship-driven business development, and commitment to transforming communities through infrastructure excellence. Her approach to cultivating long-term strategic partnerships reflects understanding that client success is the ultimate measure of IEI’s achievement.
As part of IEI’s leadership team, Dr. Sutton contributes to a firm culture that embraces diversity, inclusion, and paying it forward through the Infrastructure Engineering Foundation (formerly Universal Agape Foundation). Founded by CEO Michael Sutton, PE, who grew up in economically challenged communities, the foundation represents IEI’s commitment to giving back and creating opportunities for others—values that resonate with Dr. Sutton’s own career journey and community service dedication.
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