Saaema Alavi is an accomplished architecture professional with over nine years of experience in aviation infrastructure at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW). As Assistant Commissioner for Design and Construction with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), she masterfully oversees complex infrastructure and tenant projects from conception to completion.

After beginning her aviation career as a consultant in tenant development for concessions, Saaema transitioned to the CDA in 2020, where she initially served as a Coordinating Architect, leading design reviews and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Her passionate work ethic, dedication to professional development, and commitment to process standardization quickly propelled her into leadership, where she has significantly strengthened the core Design team.

In her current position, Saaema leads the entire design group, managing complex projects with precision in time, cost, scope, and quality. She is deeply committed to mentoring and empowering her team, providing essential training and guidance to project managers and staff across design and construction disciplines in one of the world’s most dynamic aviation environments.

With her comprehensive understanding of airport operations, stakeholder engagement, and project execution—coupled with her passion for forward-thinking initiatives, Saaema has established herself as a key contributor to the future of aviation infrastructure. She continues to champion professional growth, sustainability, and excellence, ensuring Chicago’s airports remain at the forefront of global aviation innovation.