Meet Tori Hasson: Engineering the Future with Trimble SketchUp
- Make48+Team
- 1 minute ago
- 3 min read
Kansas City, MO (May 18, 2026) – The Wichita GoCreate event this past March was a milestone for the Make48 team. Beyond the incredible prototypes, it marked the debut of our new Season 10 sponsors from Trimble SketchUp, including Tori Hasson.
Originally from New Brunswick, Canada, and now based in Boulder, Colorado, Tori’s path to the Tool Tech table has been a journey. With a degree in civil engineering, a minor in English, and a professional background in construction project management, she eventually transitioned into Trimble’s early career program. Today, as an Education Program Manager, she’s dedicated to helping students unlock the world of 3D design.
Working With Young Minds
Working with young minds is second nature to Tori, but the Make48 environment adds a unique layer of intensity. Alongside her colleagues Kathy and Chris, Tori quickly became a go-to resource for teams looking to refine their digital designs before hitting the fabrication stage.
Despite the pressure, Tori was amazed by the maturity and determination of the competitors, who ranged from elementary students to university undergrads. “It was interesting to see the differences, but even with the big age range, they were so creative and self-possessed,” Tori noted. “This is a stressful time. Things inevitably aren’t going to work out the first time, and it can be tough to pivot or change. They all handled it so much better than I expected. In some cases, they’d just say ‘Okay, hold on, we’re going to talk as a team, and then we’ll come back to you.”
While the Tool Techs felt the weight of the long days, the students seemed fueled by pure innovation. “They’re long days for us as adults! Chris and I were leaving at the end of every day, going, ‘Okay, I need a nap.’ But the students? It was like they didn’t even feel it. To do all of that with such a quick turnaround and so little sleep, it was impressive.”
One of Tori’s favorite parts of the weekend was helping bridge the gap between a 2D sketch and a 3D reality. She found herself acting as a guide through the tricky world of physical scaling, like gently pointing out when a team's 1-inch walls wouldn’t fit into a ¾-inch total design thickness. “Seeing it on paper is different than holding it in your hands," she explained. It’s these rapid prototyping lessons that Tori is excited to bring to our next stop at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta.
Tori’s #1 Tip For Beginners
For those sitting at home wanting to dive into CAD for the first time, Tori’s advice is simple. “Any new skill can feel intimidating at first, but SketchUp has one of the shortest learning curves in the CAD world. My best advice is to dive into the free learning resources. Even a quick beginner course on basic tools and navigation can reduce that initial frustration and make you feel like the whole world has opened up. You’d be surprised at what you can create with just a little bit of help and the wealth of materials provided by both Trimble and the wider community.”
We are thrilled to have Tori and the Trimble SketchUp team with us this season as they help our competitors turn their wildest ideas into tangible prototypes! https://sketchup.trimble.com/en