What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? As a project coordinator at Cranshaw Construction, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a lot of exciting projects. Currently I’m working on two projects at Assembly Row in Somerville, the new PUMA Headquarters core & shell and a mixed-use project that includes retail and apartments. These are multi-faceted jobs, requiring a lot of pieces to fall into place to meet tight schedules. When the pandemic hit, there were many challenges to overcome but it was amazing how everyone pulled together to keep the projects on track. The level of teamwork was inspiring!
What are you most looking forward to post-pandemic? I am looking forward to company-wide gatherings and seeing colleagues I have not seen in person for over a year. On a personal note I am looking forward to hearing live music, attending sporting events, and gathering with friends and family.
How have you adapted and changed in the last 12 months? Over the past year, I’ve found many ways to more closely collaborate, which helps keep our projects running smoothly. Use of technology such as videoconferencing, video chats and daily check-ins have been a huge part of the communication process between the teams, subcontractors and owners.
What steps have you taken to ensure the continued success of your firm? Every day I strive to be excellent at my job, putting the needs of the client first. I enjoy working as a team with a common goal – to construct each project safely, on schedule and within budget. As the Project Coordinator, I want to ensure that all the documentation to both the owner and our subcontractors is managed as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Additionally, when the owner/architect/contractor team comes together and is truly collaborative, there’s a wonderful synergy that makes all the difference in the success of the project.
Why should women consider a career in construction? The construction management field can open so many doors for women. Whether it’s project management, estimating or virtual design & construction, there are many opportunities. I went back to school for project management and I am so glad that I did. There are many more women in construction today than in years past and it’s continuously growing. I’ve built some great relationships with many successful women in the industry and, if you work hard, you can face any challenges that come your way.
Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you? I’ve had a lot of great mentors at Cranshaw that have made all the difference in my career. Establishing relationships is so important for personal growth, along with teamwork, asking lots of questions and not being afraid to dive into the nitty gritty. Although I’m still new to the industry, my goal is to be a project manager and lead a project of my own one day. Having an on-site presence and seeing each day how the job progresses adds to my determination to grow within the industry. I’m excited where my career will take me.
