Women in Construction Week: Four women who are meeting personal milestones while working at Skanska
In celebration of Women in Construction (WIC) Week, we sat down with four women at Skanska who are pursuing personal milestones or goals while working in the construction industry. They discuss their passions, how Skanska is creating a culture of work/life balance and the importance of hobbies outside of work.
(Right: Photo credit: Mark Lyons)
Lisa Koressel
Senior Director – Marketing in Cincinnati, Ohio
Personal milestone: Lisa is a member of the May Festival Chorus, the official chorus of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
How did you get involved in this personal venture?
I minored in choral music in college. After moving back to Cincinnati after graduation, I heard about the May Festival Chorus, which performs year-round despite its name. I auditioned, got in and have sung in the volunteer chorus for most of the past 32 years.
I’ve also served in a couple of leadership positions within the chorus, including serving on the Chorus Committee, and on the Artistic Advisory Committee.
Has there been a particularly memorable moment in your journey with being a chorus member?
I’ve enjoyed being part of hundreds of fantastic performances, singing everything from Handel’s Messiah to Broadway show tunes to movie and video game soundtracks. I’ve shared the stage with musical legends like Ray Charles and Kathleen Battle, been on several albums and have even sung in Carnegie Hall.
One of my most touching moments was when I was pregnant with my daughter, and we had our first stage rehearsal with orchestra that year. When the orchestra started playing, she seemed to do somersaults in my womb! It was a moving, joyous moment.
How is Skanska creating a culture of work/life balance that allows you to dedicate time to being a chorus member?
Fortunately, most rehearsals and performances don’t conflict with work. That said, Skanska has a culture of trusting employees. We all work hard and put in plenty of hours in this industry. Performance is judged by your work product, performance and conduct.
Why is it important for working professionals to have hobbies/passions outside of work?
Enjoying hobbies and other passions outside of work has a huge mental health benefit. It helps me relieve stress—be it professional or personal—and focus on something enriching.
Have you learned any skills while being a chorus member that you’re able to bring to your job in the construction industry or vice-versa?
Being in a semi-professional ensemble has taught me persistence toward a goal, how to handle criticism and how to listen better. Conversely, the skills I’ve honed at Skanska—specifically project management, strategy and communication—have helped me achieve the chorus’ goals while in various leadership positions. In both capacities, I work in a team where we leverage our individual strengths to achieve something greater.
Danielle O’Connell
Senior Director – Emerging Technology in Boston, Massachusetts
Personal milestone: Danielle is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is expected to graduate in May 2026.
How did you decide to pursue this educational milestone?
Getting my MBA has been a goal for several years—I love to learn! Having studied architecture during undergrad, I have very technical training, and I have been eager to gain some business acumen. I began looking into Executive MBA programs in 2020, and grew increasingly interested as I learned more, but family obligations prevented me from applying at that time.
I began reviewing the application process again last year, and I was invited to visit the MIT campus for a “preview day” of the program, which solidified my decision.
Has there been a particularly memorable moment in your journey toward getting your master’s degree?
So far, it has been an unbelievable experience to home in on my leadership skills while learning from colleagues across different industries. Last semester, my course on Organizational Processes taught me how to use strategic, cultural and political lenses to analyze and solve organizational challenges.
Why is it important for working professionals to have hobbies/passions outside of work?
Hobbies and passions outside of work promote physical and mental well-being. They are a great way to meet new people, challenge ourselves and learn about things outside of our industry.
Have you learned any skills while pursuing your master’s degree you’re able to bring to your job in the construction industry or vice-versa?
Yes, every weekend! The program focuses on action learning which means we’re given skills and tools to bring back to work each Monday after a class weekend. I have learned about my strengths and opportunities as a leader, but also to apply tools such as game theory to discussions with vendors and teams I’m working with at Skanska.
I also had an opportunity to take electives on Entrepreneurship that directly applies to the innovation and emerging technology work we are doing to solve challenges at our company, for our customers, and industry.
Ashleigh DuBois
Subcontractor Engagement Manager in Cincinnati, Ohio
Personal milestone: Ashleigh is a published author, and she wrote her second book while working at Skanska.
Could you tell me more about being a published author? How did you get involved in this personal venture?
Grief took me on this journey and I’m grateful that it did. Two years ago, my aunt passed away, and writing was how I processed my grief. I was sad, but I also had this unspeakable joy every morning when I woke up. I knew that this season was something to learn from and the people sent to me on the universal journey of grief was how I made it through.
My first book, “Yes, But I Still Have Joy” details my journey and what I told myself daily to get through this difficult time. I self-published my first book on my 33rd birthday, and about a month later, I started on my second book, “The Broken Hearted Strong Friend,” which was written, edited and published in just nine weeks.
How has Skanska supported you while you’ve written your book(s)?
Skanska has such a unique culture. I never told anyone that I was writing a second book, but when it did come up in conversation, every colleague was so supportive. They asked how they could purchase a copy of the book and what made me want to write in the first place.
I believe my “outside” life made me more relatable to my team, especially because construction as an industry is so new to me. We connected on a human level, beyond roles and titles. I felt like I could share this personal piece of myself at work and not feel shame.
How is Skanska creating a culture of work/life balance that allows you to dedicate time to this personal venture outside of work?
When we’re finished for the day, we’re finished for the day. Skanska, and my leadership team, told me when I came onboard that my outside commitments are good for the company too, and that made me feel very proud to wear the Skanska logo every single day.
I’ve never felt shame or guilt for dedicating time to the things that help me process and heal; on the contrary I’ve always felt supported and encouraged to keep doing those things so I can continue to bring my whole self to work.
Why is it important for working professionals to have hobbies/passions outside of work?
To take this a step further, I encourage working professionals to have hobbies and passions that are not work related at all. There’s a big, beautiful world out there and we should all experience it. Work gets a huge chunk of our time, but if we’re not living up to our full potential, does work really get the best version of us?
Patrice Braz
Field Administrator in Boston, Massachusetts
Personal milestone: Patrice currently makes merchandise for a local band in the Massachusetts area.
How did you decide to pursue this passion?
I have a small business making crafts and personalized merchandise. My nephew is a musician in a local punk rock band called AllAlong, and his parents asked me to make a couple of shirts for them to wear while they attend performances. Before I knew it, others were asking for shirts as well.
I decided to make additional items, such as car coasters, hats and keychains in the hopes that the band could sell them to help offset the costs of recording their first album. They have a few songs out now, but the full album is being released soon!
Has there been a particularly memorable moment in your journey while you’ve been making merchandise?
My most memorable moment so far was when I dropped off my first order of a few shirts during one of their shows and people were approaching the merchandise table right away to purchase them and place additional orders.
How is Skanska creating a culture of work/life balance that allows you to dedicate time to this hobby/passion outside of work?
I work a reduced schedule of 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., which allows me the time that I need to finish some classes towards a degree that I am currently pursuing, as well as to work on orders for my business.
Why is it important for working professionals to have hobbies/passions outside of work?
Having hobbies or passions outside of work is a great stress reliever and gives me a sense of accomplishment.
Have you learned any skills while making band merchandise that you’re able to bring to your job in the construction industry or vice-versa?
When you make merchandise for businesses, you need to develop connections and good working relationships, which carries over into my professional experience as well.
Skanska fosters an inclusive culture that benefits our female colleagues, and male colleagues as well.
For Vice President – Project Executive Jeff Payne, who is also co-chair of our National Steering Committee for Skanska Women’s Network, it’s our company’s commitment to fostering a culture of work/life balance that he values most.
