2021 Women in Construction: Stephanie Mellor, Senior Project Manager, Lake Contracting, Inc.

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? I am very proud of a recently completed 34,000 s/f interior office renovation for a multinational engineering and design firm that relocated to 100 Summer St., Boston. Just four weeks into the project, construction shut down for two months, due to COVID. Once the ban was lifted, we came back strong, while navigating all the new restrictions and finished the project in July. The entire team and all of our subcontractors were so great, like we never missed a beat!

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you? My first experience was working as an admin for a small GC in Cambridge. When I started, I knew nothing about construction, but I had a strong work ethic and passion to learn. With guidance and training from everyone in the company, I thrived and quickly advanced. That was just the beginning. I have learned and experienced even more in the 11 years I have been with Lake. My mentor, boss, and friend, Urshula Patel, has taught me so much and her encouragement to be a strong confident woman has shaped me into the person I am today.

What are you most looking forward to post-pandemic? Being with people in person, either meetings, grabbing a coffee or having lunch. And of course, a vacation far away from Boston!

How have you adapted and changed in the last 12 months? This past year has certainly been a challenging one. Adapting to all the changes both professionally and personally as a direct result of Covid has really spun a new perspective for me. I don’t waste energy on things beyond my control. I’ll continue to learn, solve and move on!

What steps have you taken to ensure the continued success of your firm? Our success is measured by so many factors. One I feel strongly about is we need to take care of those who take care of us. I strive to build and maintain professional client and subcontractor relations as they are the direct result of our company’s success.

Why should women consider a career in construction? I think construction has always been viewed as a male dominant field, but I see so many women, more so over recent years, both working in the field and in the office. It is a fascinating field, and the sense of accomplishment is insurmountable. There are so many construction related professions, it would be hard not to find one that fits your skill set and interests.