2025 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Masha Drozdov, AIA, NCARB

Masha Drozdov has spent more than a decade shaping some of the world’s most ambitious airport projects, combining technical command with visionary leadership. As Director of Design for Major Programs at Arora Engineers, she leads coordination for the $9.5 billion JFK New Terminal One, ensuring alignment of design, systems, and passenger experience across one of the most complex aviation developments underway. Her career portfolio also includes leadership roles on Newark Terminal A, Bangalore Terminal 2, and other globally significant projects.

Drozdov’s impact reaches beyond design execution. She has championed collaboration among engineers, designers, and agencies, bringing a client-focused approach to balancing budgets, regulations, and user needs. Her academic and research background, including her Columbia University thesis “Immigrowth” on immigration-driven urban expansion, reflects her ability to connect infrastructure to broader social trends.

Equally committed to the next generation, Drozdov teaches at NJIT, mentors through ACE, and co-chairs the Professional Women in Construction Mentorship Committee. Her dedication has made her a visible leader in advancing diversity and professional development within architecture and aviation. In 2024, she was recognized as a “20 Under 40 Outstanding Professional Woman in Construction.”

For Drozdov, the heart of her work lies in collaboration. “The most enjoyable aspect of my work is collaboration with teams that include engineers, designers, builders, as well as private and public agencies,” she said. “Together, we operate as a unit, always mindful that our efforts not only connect millions of people but also strengthen global infrastructure.”