“Samira Da Silva is a Rising Star because of her unwavering commitment to her team, projects, education, dedication to innovation & technology, as well as her faith, commitment to family & community. Samira embodies all of Bridgeline’s core values of honesty, trust, empathy, innovation & simplicity. This year marks her 6^th year with BGC & has emerged as a true leader, a shining example of a woman in construction, guiding new employees, finding new & innovative ways to create experience & opportunity. Every year Samira grows, becoming even more invaluable to BGC & the AEC Industry.” - Rachana Kheraj, Executive Vice President of Business Development - National at Bridgeline General Construction Inc.

What recent professional milestone or project are you most proud of, and why? I am particularly proud of successfully developing and implementing a new process for our Accounting Department aimed at optimizing the company’s finances. This initiative involved in- depth research & the adoption of best accounting practices. The goal was to ensure that Bridgeline can maximize the utility of its funds & maintain close oversight of all costs through centralization. I am especially proud of this project because I believe it will allow us to strategically leverage our financial resources during project execution, ultimately leading to significant cost savings for the company.

If you could give advice to someone just starting out in your field, what would it be? Starting in construction accounting can be both exciting and challenging. To succeed, focus on learning industry- specific principles, understanding job costing, and staying organized with documentation. It’s also important to communicate effectively with field teams, ask questions, and familiarize yourself with construction terminology. These fundamentals will help you build a strong foundation for your career.

Who has played a pivotal role in your development, and how have they influenced you? My team and leadership at Bridgeline has truly been an invaluable for me. The journey of growth we’ve shared as a company has been instrumental in my professional development. I am grateful to all my colleagues, both past and present, for the lessons they have taught me. Their guidance and collaboration have been essential in shaping me into a more capable Construction Accounting professional.

What’s one challenge you’ve overcome in your career so far, and what did it teach you? During my time as an accountant at Bridgeline, I experienced significant professional growth. One challenge I encountered was the lack of budget control for our projects. To address this issue, I helped identify and implement a new system designed to meticulously track all project- related costs. This system has already proven effective in optimizing expenditures and generating savings for our projects. This initiative taught me that effective management is crucial for ensuring the profitability of projects.