Mae Whiteside Williams, P.E.

founder & CEO
CKL Engineers, LLC

In the city of Chicago, there are many construction-engineering firms. A small percentage of them are run by a minority business owner, and an even smaller number are run by an African American woman.

That one is CKL Engineers, LLC, run by Mae Whiteside Williams, P.E., who has a personal story and rise to the top that demonstrates skill, determination, and perseverance. A product of homeless shelters, housing projects, and public aid, Williams has a unique perspective into what civil engineering can do for a city and a life.

Mae Whiteside Williams, PE is the founder & CEO of CKL Engineers, LLC a civil and environmental engineering firm engaged in projects around the State of Illinois. She is a licensed civil engineer with capabilities in owner’s representation, resident engineering, erosion control inspection and contract administration. Under her leadership, she has grown the firm from a one-person shop to a multi-disciplinary, multi-state engineering and construction engineering and inspection firm delivering aviation, construction management and environmental services.

CKL is known to deliver locally impactful, high profile projects such as the Deerpath Bridge at I-88, U.S. 41 South Lake Shore Drive Relocation, Pine Dunes Wetland Mitigation, COVID-19 Analysis at O’Hare & Midway Airports and O’Hare-21 Project Management and Lewis Airport construction management services.  CKL also serves as a Prime Consultant for various construction projects for local municipalities, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois Department of Transportation.

Mae is a member of the President’s Council for the Museum of Science and Industry, The Economic Club of Chicago, and the Lumen Cordium Society of the Archdiocese of Chicago. She is the founder of the Women Stem Entrepreneurs Breakfast Club and a champion for women business owners achieving success.