2020 Women in Construction: Felicia Smith, Project Manager at Colliers Project Leaders

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? Summer of 2019 was busy and successful working with an institutional client on multiple projects in active construction and in various phases of design. Through constant communication and coordination, we were able to mitigate disruptions to the building occupants and keep project schedules on track. By building strong relationships among team members and being transparent and proactive in our communication I was able to impress upon the project team the concerns and priorities of the Owner in a way that made sure all needs and considerations were being weighed against the overall goals of the project.

When I’m not working I am…Chasing my energetic toddler around the house and planning fun outings for the family. I’m also an avid gardener and look forward to teaching my son the rewards of growing food from scratch. 

Who or what inspired you to join the construction industry? My fascination with the built fabric of our communities, and how buildings evolve and adapt to changing uses over time, lead me to a Masters in Historic Preservation. I wanted to understand how buildings function, both in the physical elements and as financial holdings. Construction allows me to understand the evolution of a new building or a renovation from start to finish – starting with the initial goals of the project, through the design and budgeting, to construction and completion and ultimately occupation by the end user. With smart design and effective construction, buildings today can continue to function effectively for generations to come, continuing to influence how we interact with our built environment.