Santiago, Damaris Director, Office of Project Development & Environmental Review Since May 2024, Damaris is the Director of the Office of Project Development and Environmental Review (HEPE), in Federal Highway Administration headquarters in Washington, DC. In this role, she oversees the development of regulations, guidance, and policies to implement the environmental review process in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). She manages HEPE staff that provide policy expertise and advice to Division offices located in each State during project development. In June 2021, Damaris became the Deputy Division Administrator for the New York Division Office. In this role, she provided leadership and direction in the administration and delivery of the annual $2.2 billion Federal-aid highway program in collaboration with Federal, state, and local officials. Prior to joining the New York Division Office, Damaris served as the Project Mitigation Team Leader in the Office of Project Development and Environmental Review. In this capacity, she interpreted and provided policy direction on the NEPA and other related environmental laws and regulations. She also served as an Environmental Protection Specialist on the Project Development Team, where she provided policy advice and support to Divisions in advancing highly complex projects. Damaris began her career with FHWA in 2002 as an intern in the Puerto Rico Division Office. She later joined the Professional Development Program (PDP) in the Florida Division Office in 2003. After completing the PDP, she joined the Massachusetts Division Office in 2005 as an Environmental Engineer, where she served for 8 years. Damaris holds a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus. She completed the Key Executive Leadership Program at the American University in October 2021.