What were your biggest fears when you started out in your profession? Honestly, I’m not sure I knew exactly what I was getting in to! There are so many facets of the interior design profession, there is no way for school to prepare you for all of them. So I suppose there was the general fear of the unknown, and making sure I was able to keep up with the learning curve!
What are you doing differently in 2019 that has had a positive impact on your career? I like to stay focused and do the very best I can, always. Something I’ve changed recently is to not worry about what everyone else around me is doing or compare myself to others. This has allowed me to be more productive and prioritize what is important day to day to stay on top of my projects.
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.
