Saad Ilyas

From the early days of a growing academic program to leading a successful national consulting firm, Saad Ilyas (M.Arch, 1999) has built a career defined by curiosity, adaptability, and leadership in complex infrastructure projects.

After graduating, Saad launched his professional journey with a project management firm in San Diego, where he quickly developed expertise as a Project and Program Manager. Focusing on aviation and transit programs, he gained hands-on experience navigating large-scale, high-impact initiatives. Over time, his entrepreneurial vision took shape, leading him to establish his own firm. Today, Saad serves as President and CEO of a San Diego–based project management consulting company, delivering services nationwide across aviation, transit, and education sectors.

Reflecting on his time as a student in the late 1990s, Saad remembers a program that was still in its formative years—but that was exactly what drew him in. “The school was in its infancy stage, and it was nimble and flexible in its approach to design and career development,” he shares. That dynamic environment, combined with the influence of dedicated faculty such as Mitra Kanaani, Kurt Hunker, Dean Stepner, and Richard Brock, helped shape his perspective and professional path.

Saad credits much of his success to a mindset he developed early on and continues to live by today: stay curious and proactive. His advice to current students and emerging professionals is simple but powerful:
“Always stay inquisitive, ask plenty of questions, and start your education with networking at all times.”

Through his leadership and continued contributions to the industry, Saad exemplifies the impact of blending technical knowledge with curiosity and strong professional relationships—values that remain at the heart of a successful career.