What is one project or achievement in your career that you are most proud of, and how did it impact your organization or community? My best achievement is, by far, creating the Interior Design department here at PROCON. When I was hired, PROCON was using outside ID firms. I made it my goal to create the department myself. At first, I was given small projects every 4 months or so. After 2 years, I was asked to design a new space for our architecture department. I think that was when PROCON decided to include Interior Design in many of its projects. Today we have a team of 3 designers, our own space, a big library, a spot on our website, ads in magazines, and a backlog of work to keep us busy all year.

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? I once had the opportunity to work as an architectural designer for a great architect, Patricia Sherman. Patricia took me under her wing; I listened to her every word and admired everything she created. When Patricia retired, I was asked to take over interiors for that firm. And now here I am at PROCON with my own team. I owe much of that to Patricia. My advice to the next generation of women in the A/E/C industry is listen to the people who are there to teach you. Pay attention. Don’t give up. And even if you decide you don’t like the path you’re on, there’s always another path.

Do you have a hidden talent or a surprising fact about yourself that most people wouldn’t know? I once had my own business painting murals. I have murals all over Concord and nearby towns.