2026 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Brendan Kacmarcik, JJ Welch

“Brendan Kacmarcik has shown a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn as he develops in his role as an Assistant Project Manager. He approaches his responsibilities with care, asks thoughtful questions, and supports the project team in a reliable and steady way. His positive attitude, attention to detail, and commitment to growing his skill set make him a promising contributor to the firm’s continued success.”

What accomplishment or project so far in your career are you most proud of? I am proud to have successfully led my first job through completion for one of our longtime clients, Just Salad, in Chestnut Hill, MA. At the midpoint of the schedule, I was informed that owner-supplied HVAC equipment would be delayed by two weeks. Through proactive coordination, strategic phasing of work, and maintaining clear, consistent communication with all trades, I was able to reduce the impact of this delay by 50%. This outcome was well received by the client and contributed to the overall success of the project.

Who has been a mentor or influential figure in your career, and what is the most valuable advice they have shared with you? My senior project manager, Sam Leishman, has been instrumental in mentoring me and shaping how I aspire to lead high-end projects in the future. One key piece of advice he shared was the importance of “managing up” – whether supporting him as my senior PM, guiding a client who may feel overwhelmed, or helping a designer navigate indecision. I recognize that mistakes are an inherent part of any project. As such, the way I address challenges or navigate disagreements plays a critical role in fostering effective collaboration with my team, designers, and clients.