2018 Women in Construction: Kelly McGonagle, Skanska

Name: Kelly McGonagle

Title: Project Manager

Company: Skanska

Years in the A/E/C Industry: 20 years

What associations or organizations are you a member of? American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE); Deep Foundations Institute (DFI); NAWIC.

Why the A/E/C Industry? I always loved looking at floor plans and construction drawings and was strong in math in high school. My high school teacher recommended a Civil Engineering major and it was the right fit. I loved being on construction sites and seeing the instant results of planning and design work. Also I will climb the walls of an office if I am inside for too long.

Advice/Keys to Success: Stay humble and keep your eyes and ears open. There is always someone willing to teach you if you approach them the right way. Some of the best lessons come from the seasoned craft workforce.

What was your most notable project in 2017? The demolition and ramp reconstruction of the I-90 tool booths in central Massachusetts for MassDOT. We finished both phases of construction ahead of the contract milestones on an accelerated schedule. The seven exits spanned 40 miles.

If you had a mentor in your career, who was it and what did they teach you? My first boss with my first company out of college was my best mentor. I worked directly and indirectly for him for over 14 years. He was one of the most ethical and professional people I have come across in my career. He taught me to never sacrifice honesty and ethics for the sake of making a difficult situation seem easier at the time. He also taught me it’s ok to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them and never repeat them!