What recent project, transaction, or accomplishment are you most proud of? Horizons for Homeless Children recently consolidated their locations, and I was fortunate to serve as the project manager for their new center in Roxbury. The center operates within a new building shared by various social services and non-profits. Through this project, I was given the opportunity to build Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program’s new family clinic in the same building. It is gratifying knowing that these facilities provide critical resources for the community. 

What are the most important factors women in your industry should consider when choosing a firm to build their career with? Find a firm that shares your values as well as one that offers exposure to all aspects of a construction project: procurement, engineering, site supervision, quality control, and financial management. These skills empower managers to see the whole picture when making decisions and solving problems.

Who inspires you most? What qualities do they possess that inspire you? I’m inspired by my former female supervisors that led by example and taught me to go above and beyond what’s expected. Their standout qualities, such as exceptional organization and meticulous project oversight, have been inspirational for me in achieving success on my projects.

Why should this nominee be recognized in our Women in CRE Spotlight? “Rachael is an industry veteran of nearly two decades and has held a variety of positions in the construction industry. Today, as Kaplan’s veteran PM, she mentors our project management staff and generously volunteers her time guiding aspiring young women entering the construction field. I couldn’t imagine Kaplan without her!”- Melissa Bullock, Marketing Manager at Kaplan Construction.