CRB Names Helga Margrethe Salling as New Chief Growth Officer

Posted September 14, 2026

Kansas City-based engineering consulting firm CRB announced Helga Margrethe Salling as its new chief growth officer.

In her new role, Salling will lead CRB’s global growth strategy as well as expanding presence across key markets. She brings more than 25 years of experience in business development, market strategy, and client growth across the life sciences sector.

Before joining CRB, Salling served as senior vice president of global growth & strategy and life sciences at Jacobs, a business consulting firm headquartered in Dallas.

She has also held several leadership positions at businesses specializing in a similar silo, including IPS-Integrated Project Services, LLC; DPS Group and ADVENT Engineering Services, Inc., according to her LinkedIn profile.

“Our strategic plan calls for disciplined growth and a more integrated approach to market engagement,” CRB president and CEO Vahid Ownjazayeri said in a release. “Helga understands how our clients make investment decisions, build partnerships and bring complex projects forward. Her leadership will help us strengthen those relationships and connect our growth strategy more closely to the needs of the market.”

Salling has listed her role at CRB as “hybrid” on her LinkedIn profile. She has been with the company since August.

Last year, CRB announced several leadership changes in the company. In April 2025, CRB named Vahid Ownjazayeri its new president and CEO, who succeeded Lee Emel, who served as interim president and CEO following the retirement of Ryan Schroeder in 2024. Then, in August 2025, the company announced a restructuring of its leadership team with the addition of three new C-Suite roles, including Lee Emel, chief innovation officer; Shannah Falcone, chief client officer and Eric Unrau, chief strategy officer. 

Founded in 1984, CRB specializes in solutions for engineering, architecture, and construction for the global life sciences and food & beverage industries. CRB is a privately held company headquartered in Kansas City with 21 offices across the United States, Canada and Europe.