2026 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Isabella Dos Santos, Chapman Construction/Design

“Isabella has proven her ability to take ownership and deliver results. Detail-oriented and thoughtful, she navigates evolving project conditions with confidence, asks the right questions, and handles challenges independently. With strong instincts, clear communication, and a positive, proactive approach, she continues to build trust and momentum across her team and projects.”

What inspired you to pursue a career in your industry, and what path brought you to your current role? As the daughter of a house cleaner and a residential general contractor, I grew up watching my parents transform their environment into more beautiful spaces. They instilled in me a responsibility to leave places better than they were before. Because of this, I pursued a degree in environmental health, imagining a career in the medical field, but learned that our lived environment affects us on a much larger scale than any one factor. Being in the construction field has given me the opportunity to be a part of creating healthier, upgraded spaces that will continue to exist beyond me.

What trends or opportunities do you see shaping the future of your industry? I believe that the future of the construction industry will be in waste management innovation. When I was working with my dad, I would drive construction debris to a landfill, and the sight of all the waste made me feel hopeless. Thankfully, construction is unique – what one considers trash could be another’s treasure. At Chapman, we are making active efforts to divert waste from landfill through salvage, take-back programs, and circularity. This kind of creativity - to think beyond the landfill - will be the future of our industry.