2022 Women in Construction: Meg Kearney, Internal Operations Manager at Windover Construction

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What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? I’ve worked on Windover’s SOPs and Solutions Implementation as passion projects with the dream of being an operations manager full time. Over the past year, while also managing several construction projects as a project manager, I began advocating for myself and was able to create a new position as internal operations manager at Windover. I advocated for this role by setting clear goals and then sharing my accomplishments with others. This has been a pivot and a step forward. I can’t want to see what the next 5 years brings to my career development.

When you’re not busy, what is your go to book or podcast to help you unwind? I enjoy a wide range of podcasts – Women Amplified is uplifting and empowering, and I also listen to Radical Candor for their lessons on management and leadership.

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you? I started my career with a company that offers a three-year training program to entry level employees seeking a position as a superintendent, project manager, or estimator. The risk this company was willing to take, to let me be trained and mentored in a new job each year, was empowering. Demonstrating how important it is to take risks in the way they hire made me want to work for them. All my coaches in the program pushed me to be better each day and gave me work that was challenging. Mastering that work empowered me to stay in this industry.

Within your firm, who has helped you succeed within the industry? How have they helped you? My two managers have helped me succeed, probably more than they know. They both have different styles; one mentors with technical knowledge, and the other mentors with management strategies. The combination has elevated my team leadership skills and tact with clients, architects, and trade partners. They both provide me with the opportunity to steer the projects on my own by empowering me to take risks and make quick, decisive decisions.

What tips or advice would you offer to other women who are considering entering the construction industry? I want others to know that entering the construction industry is not much different than entering any other industry as woman. It is hard and takes passion for the work. The industry is exciting and the tangible reward of seeing what we built doesn’t get old. It’s a great place to build a career.