International tunnel leader recognized for exceptional contributions and leadership to the tunneling and construction industry
DALLAS, Texas (June 10, 2025) – HNTB’s Sanja Zlatanic, PE, national tunnel practice leader, has been named the 2025 Underground Construction Association (UCA) Person of the Year for her outstanding contributions to the tunneling and underground construction industry. This prestigious award is presented annually to recognize those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, technical excellence and made a lasting impact on underground infrastructure. Zlatanic was formally honored at the Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference on June 10, in Dallas, Texas.
With more than 30 years of experience, Zlatanic has led the design and delivery of some of the world’s most complex underground construction and tunnel projects, including the Istanbul Strait Road Crossing in Turkey, the SR-99 Alaskan Way Tunnel in Seattle and numerous major transit tunnels across the U.S. As national tunnel practice leader, Zlatanic leads and mentors tunnel professionals across multiple disciplines. She is an advocate for safer, more sustainable underground solutions and an educator in the importance of how infrastructure creates connections between communities and people.
“As a respected leader, Sanja’s impact on the tunneling industry is profound,” said John Barton, HNTB’s professional services chair. “Her ingenuity, commitment and passion have helped drive the industry forward and emphasize the diverse career opportunities available for professionals in this area.”
In addition to receiving the UCA’s highest individual honor, Zlatanic was recently named vice president of the International Tunneling Association (ITA-AITES), where she plays a key role in shaping global tunneling policy and advancing international collaboration.
Zlatanic also is involved with The Moles, the American Society of Civil Engineers and Underground Construction Association (UCA). She serves as program committee chair for the George Fox Conference and board member for the Associated Research Centers for Urban Underground Space (ACUUS). Zlatanic contributed to numerous tunneling technical publications and served as a speaker for international conferences.