SOLIDEA BONINA

Senior Environmental Consultant / GEI Consultants Inc.  

Dr. Solidea (Maria Cristina) Bonina is a Senior Environmental Consultant and Technical Expert at GEI Consultants (GEI), where she plays a key leadership role on the PFAS Leadership Team and Steering Committee. With over 16 years of experience spanning academia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the private sector, she has built a career at the intersection of science, policy, and high-impact environmental projects. She is widely recognized for translating complex environmental chemistry into practical, science-based PFAS solutions that support clients, inform regulatory frameworks, and drive strategic growth.

At GEI, Dr. Bonina leads technical initiatives in environmental engineering, with deep expertise in sampling and analysis procedures, advanced analytical methodologies, QA/QC, data validation, and regulatory compliance. Her work spans a broad spectrum of legacy and emerging contaminants, including PCBs, PAHs, VOCs, SVOCs, PBDEs, phenols, metals, and PFAS. She is known for bridging scientific rigor with real-world application, ensuring high-quality, defensible outcomes. Her leadership continues to shape GEI’s PFAS strategy and elevate the firm’s role in addressing today’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Dr. Bonina’s earlier tenure at the U.S. EPA Region 5 Analytical Services Branch included the development of innovative PFAS methodology and a widely adopted method for determining PCB congeners. She supported the evaluation of emerging chemicals of concern across several EPA programs, including the Office of Research and Development (ORD) and the Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO). Her research on Great Lakes pollution has been published in top-tier scientific journals, cited over 500 times, and presented nationally and internationally. Beyond her technical expertise, she is a passionate advocate for science-based decision-making, mentorship, and inclusive leadership. Her work continues to shape the future of environmental consulting and exemplifies how women are redefining the landscape of infrastructure, sustainability, and resilience. 

Tell us why you choose to be a member of PWC Chicago.  For me, being part of PWC is more than just professional networking—it’s about caring for others. Whether they are clients, project partners, or colleagues who’ve become friends, I see my role as one of support, connection, and shared success. I care deeply about the people I work with and the impact we create together. PWC Chicago gives me a space to extend that care beyond the project level—to mentorship, advocacy, and community. This is where I show up, not just as an environmental engineer, but as someone who believes in lifting others while continuing to grow herself.

What other ways are you involved in PWC Chicago? I’m proud to represent GEI Consultants, one of PWC Chicago’s Silver Sponsors. Our sponsorship isn’t just a name on a banner—it’s a signal of alignment with PWC’s mission to elevate and connect women across the built environment. I view my presence, participation, and advocacy at events as an extension of that commitment. It’s about showing up, building relationships, and helping move the industry forward—together. 

Share an important lesson that you have learned during your career. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that no matter who you are—whether you're a woman, an immigrant, someone with a strong accent, or someone with a background that doesn’t quite fit the mold—you will stand out. But standing out doesn’t mean standing back. I’ve learned that when I decide to commit, to compete, and to succeed, I will. Earning my Ph.D. is one of many examples of that determination, and it continues to remind me that I am capable of navigating any challenge that comes my way.

Throughout my career, I’ve faced moments where I felt different, but I’ve also realized that those differences are part of my strength. I’ve been trained by experience, by science, and by perseverance. And every day, I continue to learn new lessons—but I face them with the confidence that I’ve already overcome so much. That mindset has shaped not only my career, but the way I lead, collaborate, and support others in this field.

How have your career goals shifted or evolved over time? In many ways, my career goals haven’t shifted—they’ve remained remarkably consistent. From the beginning, my focus has been on making a meaningful environmental impact through my work, and that goal continues to guide me today. Whether I was in academia conducting research, working in the public sector at the U.S. EPA, or now thriving in the dynamic world of environmental consulting, the core mission has stayed the same: to protect the environment and public health through science, strategy, and action.

What has evolved is the way I apply that mission. Each stage of my career has given me new tools, perspectives, and platforms to make a difference. Today, in the consulting industry, I feel especially fulfilled because I get to “do me” in the professional shoes of an environmental engineer—engaging with clients, solving complex challenges, and staying true to the values that have always driven me. It’s not just a job; it’s a continuation of a purpose I’ve carried with me from the start.