2026 Women in Construction: Paula Balcius, Fulcrum Associates, LLC

What current or recently completed project, accomplishment or initiative are you most excited about, and why does it matter for your team, clients or community? I’m most proud of a major hospital MEP upgrade. We replaced decades-old boilers, chillers, and air handlers, but design issues with the air handlers put the project on hold for months. Multiple contracts moved at different paces under one umbrella, requiring careful cash flow, change management, and oversight. Navigating both technical and financial complexity, the team delivered reliable, efficient infrastructure that supports critical hospital operations while demonstrating the value of disciplined project management.

What do you wish more women knew about the opportunities available in the construction industry today? Construction doesn’t lack opportunity for women – it lacks awareness of where the power sits. Project management is the control room of construction, rewarding judgment, coordination, and follow-through. Women excel at systems thinking, foresight, and disciplined execution. Authority doesn’t require volume – clear communication and accountability keep projects moving. Construction needs skilled project managers, not egos, and women already have the skills to succeed.

What emerging challenge or opportunity do you see shaping the construction industry in the next few years, and how are you preparing for it? AI is already reshaping construction project management, not through automation, but by enabling better decisions. It flags risk, predicts schedule slippage, and surfaces cost anomalies. The challenge is discipline – AI only works with good data. Firms that integrate AI into workflows amplify judgment and gain a competitive advantage.

What habit or routine helps you stay focused or motivated during a busy week? Quickly acknowledge communications, even if you can’t act right away. Closing the loop builds trust and buys time.

What is one piece of advice or perspective you would share with women beginning their careers in the construction industry? Do not confuse unfamiliarity with incompetence. Ask questions early and honestly – silence hurts credibility more than curiosity. Construction skills are learned on the job; reliability, judgment, and organization are rare and valued. You don’t need volume or swagger – credibility comes from following through, documenting decisions, and closing the loop.