Name: Vivian Garcia-Arnold

Postion: Project Manager

Company: O&G Industries, Inc.

How many years have you been in your current field? 17

Which project, deal or transaction was the “game changer” in the advancement of your career during the last 10 years? I worked on the construction of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Bethesda, MD). It was a $700 million design/build project that included the addition of a parking lot, medical office building, hospital addition and the renovation of 17 buildings. Working on such a large project set the foundation for transitioning into a project manager role.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it? For two summers I worked for a moving company packing up people’s homes. We had a wide range of clients. It reminds me to treat everyone the same regardless of gender, race, education and/or socio-economics. I work in an industry where people run the gambit. It is vital to treat everyone with the same respect.

Who are three women – living or dead – that you would like to have drinks with and why? The three women I would have drinks with are:

Marta Garayta – Marta was my grandmother. She received a Ph.D. in Physics, Math & Chemistry in Havana, Cuba. She was a strong, smart and beautiful woman. She inspired me to obtain my Bachelor’s Degree in Physics. Our diplomas are hung side-by-side in my apartment. She passed away when I was 5 years old. I would love to talk to her about her life and our family.

Frida Kahlo – She did not allow her physical ailments or the time period in which she lived to set her back. She lived her life in her own terms. 

Billie Holiday – She had beautiful voice and tough life. I would like to talk with her about what her life was like, what it was like to be an African-American female singer during the 30s & 40s and her thoughts on today.