2020 Women in Construction: Ashley Michaud, Project Manager at Shawmut Design & Construction

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? Recently, I had the opportunity to be part of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Quad Block North Hall Dormitory. This new ground up, $25M residence building was the first project of a multi-stage new construction and renovation campus improvement project on RISD’s campus in Providence, RI. I’ve also had the opportunity to be part of a ground-up building in Mansfield, MA for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Works Local 104 as well as a five year long, multi-building new construction and renovation project at a privately owned historic mansion property in Newport, RI. 

When I’m not working I am… My husband is a huge sport fisherman, which has rubbed off on me a bit. We can often be found miles offshore fishing for mahi, tuna, and sharks. We love spending time on the water with our family and friends. I also enjoy walking my two dogs, Bentley and Jack, and running outside, relaxing at the beach, and enjoying local vineyards. 

What are you doing differently in 2020 that has had a positive impact on your career? Although we work on similar tasks each day, each day is different. I’m trying to apply the lessons I’ve learned to each project, daily. I try to wake up each day with a positive outlook and tackle priority items to the best of my ability in order to provide the field team with everything they need so we can deliver our very best product to the client. 

What trends are you seeing in your field this year? The increase in technology in the construction field is a major trend I have noticed. The amount of devises, software, and safety opportunities at our fingertips is overwhelming. From drones, virtual reality, BIM modeling, Procore, to CS-Inspect—the list goes on and on. In my eight years in the industry, I have seen a large shift away from hardcopy documents—both in the office and out in the field. The majority of workers have laptops, iPads, or iPhones that allow for real time information. I have had the opportunity to utilize many different technologies throughout my time at Shawmut. 

Who or what inspired you to join the construction industry? It started with my father, who taught me how to build structures with blocks and books. As a child, I loved playing with Legos, Lincoln Logs, and K’nex. After graduating from high school, I studied Architectural Engineering Technology at the University of Hartford. In between my architectural studies and playing soccer, I worked as the assistant to Norman Young (Associate VP, Facilities Planning and Construction) and Chris Dupuis (Assistant VP, Capitol Planning and Management) on a wide range of tasks on campus. These two mentors introduced me to the construction industry and inspired me to change my course of studies. I attended Roger Williams University for a Master of Construction Management degree, entering Shawmut’s CMST program after graduating. I thoroughly enjoy the career I have chosen!