NGI’s Kirsten Zeydel, S.E., Featured by BuildSteel for Women in Construction Week

In recognition of Women in Construction Week® (March 1–7, 2026), BuildSteel™ spotlighted women helping advance cold-formed steel (CFS) framing through engineering leadership, research, manufacturing, and construction innovation.

We’re proud to share that Kirsten Zeydel, S.E., NGI’s Director of Design, was included in this feature for her contributions to CFS design and performance.

Why Kirsten was recognized

BuildSteel highlighted Kirsten’s 22+ years of structural engineering experience and her specialized expertise in CFS detailing, panelization, and complex load-bearing systems.

The article also notes several milestones that reflect Kirsten’s impact on the industry, including:

• Helping establish an OSHPD-accepted QA/QC program

• Securing IAPMO product certification for framing members and sheathed panels

• Serving on the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) Executive Committee 

  
  

Driving better seismic outcomes with practical, data-informed design

A key focus in the feature is Kirsten’s leadership in seismic design for CFS systems, including her work analyzing how ASCE 7-22 affects seismic load requirements for nonstructural framing and connections. BuildSteel also points to her evaluation of interior partition drift performance using FEMA P-58 fragility data to support practical, cost-effective decisions.

Experience at scale

BuildSteel highlights the scale of Kirsten’s project experience as well—ranging from multi-story steel-framed dormitories totaling 800,000 SF to CFS framing engineering for a 550,000 SF California hospital—and notes she is slated to present a technical session at the 2026 CFSEI Expo.

We’re grateful for Kirsten’s leadership and the expertise she brings to our teams and projects every day.

Read the full BuildSteel feature here: Shaping the Future of Steel Framing: Women Leading the Way - BuildSteel.org