2020 Women in Construction: Meredith McCarthy, Senior Associate at Sasaki

What are you doing differently in 2020 that has had a positive impact on your career? I started 2020 with the birth of my daughter. So I’m taking the first part of the year to learn all the ins and out of parenting, and quickly finding that my time management skills have already greatly improved, something sure to help when I’m back in the office. 

What trends are you seeing in your field this year? I think there is going to be a big focus on interactive technology and telepresence in the workplace in the coming years. And I don’t mean touch screens and video conferencing. I’m talking hardware and software that allows people to fully engage with one another, be they in the same location or not. Breaking down the barriers of mobility and remote work will be crucial to maintaining an innovative edge on collaboration in the ever growing and ever connecting world in which we work. 

Who or what inspired you to join the construction industry? I decided to try design after a 30 minute conversation with my high school guidance counselor. She asked what I did for fun growing up and I told her that I loved LEGOs. I mean really loved them. Her response? “You should be an architect.” Her ability to see my untapped creativity and suggest a field where I could let it free is the only reason I’m here today. I still feel choosing a career path at 16 is nearly impossible, but focusing on what excites and inspires you as a child is a great place to start looking for that answer. 

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? This can be summed up with two A’s: Akamai Technologies and A2. We just wrapped up the new headquarters for Akamai in Kendall Square, designing a dynamic and contemporary workplace for a company on the cutting edge of the tech world. We also are well into design for a new office tower and park on the A2 Parcel in Boston’s Seaport neighborhood. This project creates not only an iconic new building for the area, but a robust and welcoming public realm for all to enjoy. 

When I’m not working I am... often hiking in far off corners of the globe. My husband and I take vacation quite seriously, and use those precious days off as an opportunity to see the beauty of nature, one step at a time.