2022 Women in Construction: Kelly Johnson Interior Designer Amenta Emma Architects

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? Our team recently completed a full renovation of a corporate office space local to our Hartford office. This has been my greatest achievement so far in terms of handling the entire project from SD, to construction documents, to CA work and everything in between. Being newer in the field and a recent grad, the ability to carry a project through all of the phases and have a hand on many of the design decisions made is definitely a proud and memorable moment in my career so far. It makes me excited for future opportunities to see other projects through.

What tips or advice would you offer to other women who are considering entering the construction industry? It can be intimidating first starting out, but it’s important to realize that no single person holds all the answers, so don’t expect that from yourself. Back your own ideas and decisions, yet encourage the opportunity to learn and grow in difficult situations. Pushing yourself beyond your predetermined limits will always be beneficial in the long run, so embrace being uncomfortable or unsure, knowing that the learning experience will just make you a better designer, architect, etc.

When you’re not busy, what is your go to book or podcast to help you unwind? I’ve been really enjoying the “Diary of a CEO” podcast, which focuses on the stories of business and personal growth of many prominent business owners and entrepreneurs. The conversation is always very thought provoking and you definitely feel more motivated in your own personal and work life after listening.