2025 Women in Construction: Elizabeth Spatola, Currie Project Management

What is one project or achievement in your career that you are most proud of, and how did it impact your organization or community? I worked with a client a few years back that was a global leader in the development of medical technology. Their real estate team was small for the number of projects they usually had going, and they began to heavily rely on me as a part of their team to help maintain their standards across all of their office design/construction around the world. Working with them gave me an amazing opportunity to step into this leadership role and help guide them, and design and construction teams from India to South Africa to Australia. My company was a strategic partner for them, lead by myself and others

Who or what has inspired you most in your career, and what advice would you share with the next generation of women entering the A/E/C industry? When I started my career in design at Dyer Brown, there were so many talented women (and men!) that worked there that were wonderful mentors, coworkers, and all around an impressive and talented bunch. I always felt encouraged and empowered to take on any new project or role that came my way, because I knew someone would be there to support me when needed. I am still in touch with many of those people and rely on them for advice and guidance. I would encourage the next generation to find those people that encourage/inspire/mentor you and stick with them no matter where your careers take you!

]What trends or innovations do you believe will shape the future of your field, and how are you positioning yourself (or your firm) to be at the forefront? I would say that the tough tech sector has been booming lately, and my company had many projects that came to us for management that required us to learn quickly about the companies we were working with. The design and build out requirements of these companies is unique, and our team has worked to educate ourselves on how to navigate those project nuances, so we can help lead and manage successful projects for these clients in the tough tech sector.

What’s your favorite way to recharge or get inspired outside of work? Skiing, hiking, biking, paddleboarding, reading

Do you have a hidden talent or a surprising fact about yourself that most people wouldn’t know? My first job was in Scouting/Football Ops for the San Diego Chargers before the AEC industry.