2020 Women in Construction: Juanita Forsythe, Project Director at Hereva Consultants, Inc.

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? One of the achievements that I am celebrating this year is the transition to more concentrated Life Science and Biotech projects. Although I have a broad range of types of projects that I have managed over the years, tech start-ups, corporate finance and banking, higher education and healthcare, participating in the rapidly changing environment of Kendal Sq. has been very rewarding.

When I’m not working, I am… Hanging out with my husband and two sons (although mostly grown), biking and traveling when the opportunity presents itself. Looking for the perfect puppy, attending MIT basketball games and visiting NYC. 

What are you doing differently in 2020 that has had a positive impact on your career? I have enrolled in Brown University’s executive leadership and coaching certificate program. Looking to being more versed in guiding and mentoring others in the business environment.

What trends are you seeing in your field this year? Rapid response times on construction design and execution. Clients are anxious to be in their spaces and continue their innovative research. Higher Leasing and Construction costs dominate the marketplace. A shortage of staffing across the board is challenging schedules.

Who or what inspired you to join the construction industry? I fell into the Facilities and Construction career 30 plus years ago. Joined a growing company and took on tasks that no one else wanted to take on. I said yes to a lot of tasks and took a lot of coursework to boost my knowledge base as my career developed. I truly enjoy watching people work in the spaces that get designed and built. It’s a very visual field, always evolving and advancing. No two projects are ever exactly the same. New challenges and collaborative problem-solving are my specialty.