2019 Women in Construction: Jenna Meyers, Senior Interior Designer at Margulies Perruzzi Architects

How many years have you been in your current field? 12

Which project, deal or transaction was the “game changer” in the advancement of your career during the last 10 years? Working on Zipcar’s new headquarters in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood was definitely a game changing project for me. It was the first time that I had been fully involved in a project from proposal to close-out, and one for which I was the lead interior designer. The project even won several design awards! Not only was it an amazing learning experience, but it was extremely fun and reminded me why I love my job!

What are you doing differently in 2019 that has had a positive impact on your career? My focus for 2019 has been to work smarter, not harder! Don’t get me wrong: I still work hard, but learning how to streamline processes and delegate responsibilities allows me to both teach others and take on new responsibilities within the firm.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it? My first job was as an interior designer with a furniture dealer. As my first foray into the professional world, I learned how to not only listen to what the clients were asking for, but to also read between the lines to discover opportunities for improvement they may not have realized.

Who are three women – living or dead – that you would like to have drinks with and why? 
1. Michelle Obama
2. JK Rowling
3. Malala Yousafzai
For me, these women represent a strength, determination, and unwillingness to back down in the face of adversity that I fiercely respect. What I truly admire, though, is that they all make a difference in others’ lives – something I also strive to do. Though I’m involved in my community in several ways, there is always more that can be done, and these women are all an inspiration for me to do so.

What were your biggest fears when you started out in your profession? Honestly, I’m not sure I knew exactly what I was getting in to! There are so many facets of the interior design profession, there is no way for school to prepare you for all of them. So I suppose there was the general fear of the unknown, and making sure I was able to keep up with the learning curve!