Spotlights

2022 Women in Construction: Riane Ragno, Diversity and Workforce Coordinator at Cranshaw Construction

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you? I never thought I’d end up in the construction industry, but now I don’t think I’ll ever not be in the construction industry.

2022 Women in Construction: Susan Shelby, FSMPS, CPSM, ABCP, President & CEO at Rhino PR

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you? SMPS (Society for Marketing Professional Services) is a national organization of marketing and business development professionals who work for firms involved in construction.

2022 Women in Construction: Megan Kefalis, Senior Project Manager at MIT Department of Facilities

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? It’s difficult to pinpoint the most notable because of the pandemic, but maybe that is the accomplishment; working through it all.

2022 Women in Construction: Nikki Vernazzaro, Office Manager at Haynes Group Inc.

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you? When I started working at Haynes Group, I had zero construction experience. I was hired as a receptionist to do misc. daily office tasks.

2022 Women in Construction: Janet McDonagh, Controller at Haynes Group Inc.

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you? Starting out in the construction business, company leadership and my teammates at The Haynes Group provided me with the guidance and support I needed to be successful.

2022 Women in Construction: Annisha Simpson, 4th Year Apprentice at New England Finish Systems

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? The most notable project I worked on was the Vertex Pharmaceutical science lab in Boston. That job I learned how to do layout,

2022 Women in Construction: Akshita Renduchintala, Assistant Project Manager at Bowdoin Construction Corp.

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you? Early in my career, I worked under the tutelage of Jose Pocasangre, a construction industry professional with more than 30 years’ experience.

2022 Women in Construction: Jo Ann Michaels, Senior Project Manager at Viking Construction

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you? Starting out in the construction business at a time when very few women were accepted as project managers, I was empowered by the challenge of breaking into this industry.

2022 Women in Construction: Jennifer Martel, PLA, ASLA, Associate at Copley Wolff Design Group

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? I was instrumental in winning and kicking-off the Springfield Court Square Public Realm Master Plan project in downtown Springfield, MA.

2022 Women in Construction: Allison Desbonnet, Landscape Designer at Copley Wolff Design Group

When you’re not busy, what is your go to book or podcast to help you unwind? Short story anthologies are my media peacemakers when I need a screen break. Mary Oliver’s ‘Upstream’ is getting worn in quickly