2022 Women in Construction: Susana Sanchez, Project Manager at South Coast Improvement Co.

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? My greatest professional achievement is the growth I have experienced after starting as an office admin with no construction knowledge; my background was in the medical field. After starting as an admin with South Coast Improvement Co., I was promoted to estimating coordinator, and now an assistant project manager. It’s rewarding to see where I was nearly six years ago to where I am now with South Coast Improvement Co.

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you? What empowered me the most was learning something different on each project. While each project has a different scope, they all have the same process. Makes the day-to-day of a job much more interesting.

What tips or advice would you offer to other women who are considering entering the construction industry? Dive right in! It may be intimidating at first but if you are willing to learn and put in the effort you will succeed.

Within your firm, who has helped you succeed within the industry? How have they helped you? From my early beginnings, Eric Hancock was and continues to be one of my biggest mentors. He taught me basic construction terminology, how to do take-offs on Planswift, general project management, etc. Pam Carew and Kathleen Durocher have both helped me learn the other side of construction as well with Accounting, Contracting, and all other APM operations. Both are always willing to lend a hand whenever I’m faced with challenges.

When you’re not busy, what is your go to book or podcast to help you unwind? I don’t have a favorite book, but I do read a lot of self-empowerment books. My most recent read is The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest.