What inspires you: Very early in my career, I provided acoustical design consulting for ZUMIX, a nonprofit after school music center serving a low-income, under-served Boston neighborhood. In exchange for that acoustical design, I received a most important life lesson about love, perseverance and living life with purpose.
Which project, deal or transaction was the “game changer” in the advancement of your career during the last 10 years? Accepting a project manager position at Green Leaf Construction, which meant moving from a very large firm to having a more hands-on involvement in the projects I am managing.
What are you doing differently in 2019 that has had a positive impact on your career? In 2017-2018 I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. My journey through this disease opened my eyes to how precious life is and how I want to spend the rest of my life. We work in an environment that is stressful, time consuming and you’re on 24/7.
What are you doing differently in 2019 that has had a positive impact on your career? I’ve started asking for help more. You always want to prove you can do it all, but jobs can get incredibly overwhelming and it’s important to seek guidance and advice from mentors to continue to learn and grow.
What was your first job and what did you learn from it? My first job was working for a very small general contractor in a combined role of administrator, assistant project manager, and assistant accountant. I was fresh out of college assisting project managers on their projects while also entering payroll, invoices, etc., and writing up training modules.
The women of IBEW Local 103 and NECA Greater Boston are leading the way to a more inclusive, equitable, and family-sustaining construction industry every day. We stand together to lift up all working people with fair wages, benefits, and business practices.
Which project, deal or transaction was the “game changer” in the advancement of your career during the last 10 years? Becoming the first black, female business agent of any major Boston construction union last year with IBEW Local 103.
What were your biggest fears when you started out in your profession? When I first started in the electrical trade, I definitely experienced my share of uncertainty. I had no experience or training – I didn’t know what to do or how to do it. I was worried about whether or not I would fit in and be accepted by a predominantly male work atmosphere.
Which project, deal or transaction was the “game changer” in the advancement of your career during the last 10 years? The game changer for me was when we started to seek out the right people with the right experience from established companies (in different areas of the electrical industry) who mentor us to this day
Which was the “game changer” in the advancement of your career during the last 10 years? My career game changer was four years ago when I stepped away from my role at the director of government affairs for the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and into the role of assistant manager of the Boston chapter.
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