2021 Women in Construction: Shannon Shaw, Accounting & Office Manager, Lake Contracting, Inc.

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? My greatest achievement in the last 12 months was seamlessly closing our old work space in Somerville and establishing our new office into a functioning & welcoming workplace that’s energizing to come to each day.

What are you most looking forward to post-pandemic? A world of normalcy.

How have you adapted and changed in the last 12 months? In the last 12 months many things have changed such as in person audits. Over the years I have developed relationships with auditors and now because of COVID all of these audits are virtual and email focused.

What steps have you taken to ensure the continued success of your firm? Safety is our #1 focus, whether its staying up to date with Covid protocol or Union changes, I am dedicated to make sure our employees have the most up to date information to guide them safely throughout their projects.

Why should women consider a career in construction? I have been with Lake for 17 years and have watched many of my female peers run jobs equally if not greater than the men in the industry.

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you? For an industry that is primarily men driven it is very empowering to see women having such an impact in construction, especially our president Urshula Patel. She started 25+ years ago doing accounting and now she is the president of Lake Contracting. With determination and drive you can achieve anything.