Illary is an engineer, environmentalist, and socially conscious entrepreneur who began her professional career in the automotive industry before transitioning to the utility sector. She has held different positions in the energy industry from customer service, where she managed demand response, to technical assistance and thermal energy storage programs, to transmission and distribution. She has overseen budgets in excess of $150 million, leading various types of large-scale construction projects, including load growth, infrastructure replacements, power interconnections, and new facilities.

She has established a reputation as a thought leader in project and construction management and has shared her expertise as both a keynote speaker and an industry leader to the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

Illary has earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Energetic Systems with honors, a minor in Marketing and Business and a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. She has a Green Belt Six Sigma Certification and has participated in numerous certificate programs in the Energy/Project/Construction Management industry. In 2011, she received a Customer Champion Award by Southern California Edison for her exceptional customer service skills, and in 2018 received a Construction Storm Water Recognition for thorough compliance efforts in her construction projects.

Illary’s vision is a future where it is natural to see women in technical fields, and where sustainable projects are not an emerging trend but just a normal part of life. Terravanta directs 2% of its revenue to fund programs to educate and promote minority and low-income young leaders into STEM careers.