Women in Construction Week: Highlighting career turning points in construction

What is one moment that stands out that helped propel you further in your career?

I’ve had several pivotal touchpoints in my career and they share two common elements: Taking on a new role and having someone’s sponsorship of me in that role. The most recent example was when I was asked to transition from a role in design and commercial management into leading business development for Skanska Advanced Technology.

What made this moment so significant?

As the first Skanska USA Building operating unit tied to a market rather than a geographic location, Skanska Advanced Technology has had to seek new ways of working while interfacing smoothly with other operating units. This role excited me because it’s an opportunity to work with the amazing people we have across our company to win more “pie” for all of us.

Personally, this role has given me an opportunity to use skills I developed twenty years ago when I started my career, along with all the experience, technical knowledge and professional development that I’ve acquired since.

What were you feeling in that moment and how has that shaped your career since then?

When I was asked to lead business development (BD), I felt the same excited tickle in my stomach that I’ve had at each pivot in my career. I had been doing some BD alongside the tasks of my previous role, but how did I know if I was doing it “right?” How would I know I was successful?

I love a challenge, so I was excited to figure it out. I’ve believe that the excited tickle I feel is my intuition telling me that this is the right path for me. It can be stressful in those transitions but being willing to embrace them has shaped my career into something that fits my skills and purpose in ways I couldn’t have predicted.

What is one moment that stands out that helped propel you further in your career?

During one of my mid-year reviews, my manager and mentor gave me candid feedback. He encouraged me to be more intentional about speaking up — especially in rooms where I was the least experienced person. We discussed preparing more deliberately and looking for opportunities to contribute, even when it felt outside my comfort zone.

Shortly afterward, I had the opportunity to present at a meeting with several executives, stepping in for a vice president who was unable to attend. In the past, I might have limited myself to simply delivering the material. Instead, I took my mentor’s advice to heart. I thoroughly prepared, anticipated questions and engaged in the discussion.

What made this moment so significant?

Not only did the meeting go well, but I enjoyed being part of the strategic conversation. That experience shifted my confidence and how I show up in settings with senior leadership. It reinforced that preparation earns you a seat at the table — regardless of tenure — and it marked a turning point in how I approach similar opportunities. Most importantly, I learned that I have valuable insights to contribute, regardless of my years of experience.

Do you have any advice for someone who is trying to "level up" in their career?

Given that this is such an experienced-based industry – a colleague of mine likes to say “you don't graduate with a civil engineering degree ready to build a bridge” – it can be intimidating to speak up when you are a recent grad, new to the company or the least-seasoned person in the room.

I would encourage those earlier in their careers to remember that fresh perspectives are valuable. Asking thoughtful questions, sharing observations and contributing ideas can strengthen outcomes. It makes a difference to work in an environment where leaders intentionally foster a culture in which every team member feels comfortable contributing. When people feel empowered to speak up, the diversity of ideas drives Skanska’s success.

What is one moment that stands out that helped propel you further in your career?

Rather than a single defining moment, my career progression has been shaped by a series of intentional choices and opportunities. Joining Skanska Women’s Network (SWN) and consistently embracing new responsibilities within my projects have both played significant roles. Each decision, big or small has contributed to where I am today.

What made this moment so significant?

Joining SWN was especially meaningful because it expanded my network beyond the Civil group, allowing me to connect with chapters across the United States and collaborate with other business units.

At the same time, taking on new responsibilities, such as working with our demo subcontractors during building demolition activities or assisting with the subcontractor procurement process, has given me valuable learning experience. Each new task has broadened my understanding, strengthened my skillset and increased my confidence in navigating unfamiliar territory.

What were you feeling in that moment and how has that shaped your career since then?

Whenever I take on something new, I experience a mix of excitement and nervousness. Stepping outside of my comfort zone always carries that balance of anticipation and uncertainty. Over time, I’ve learned to embrace those feelings because they motivate me to stay engaged, prepare thoroughly and strive to deliver high-quality work.

What were the biggest lessons learned from this moment?

The most impactful lesson has been that new challenges are rarely as intimidating as they initially seem. Progress begins simply by taking the first step, and once you do, momentum builds. Pushing forward, even when unsure, is often the key to growth.

What is one moment that stands out that helped propel you further in your career?

Early in my career, I managed an infrastructure improvement project that included upsizing, relocating, and improving $40 million of utilities across multiple city blocks to support a 1 million-SF development.

The project required intensive coordination with public, private and utility stakeholders and encountered dozens of unforeseen conditions that had to be resolved in the field. It was located on an urban college campus with many students and faculty impacted by the work.

What made this moment so significant?

Overseeing this project taught me invaluable leadership skills. I had to manage a budget and schedule that kept ballooning due to field conditions, and make judgment calls on time-sensitive solutions that required input from the contractor, engineers and City officials.

It taught me to be calm in the face of complexity, and that treating people well and being fair and transparent would get me furthest in difficult environments.

What were the biggest lessons learned from this moment?

Solving hard problems is done best with a cohesive team, and leadership is about bringing every voice to the table to discern the best path forward.

Do you have any advice for someone who is trying to "level up" in their career?

I had a terrific mentor during this project who acted as a sounding board to help me validate my decisions. Finding a mentor to support you can be essential.

Beyond that, your work should speak for itself. Be fair, act ethically and listen to the voices on your team. Cultivate an environment where all the members of the team want one another to succeed. For me, this has led to the greatest success in my career to date.

What is one moment that stands out that helped propel you further in your career?

After completing a project in San Francisco, I was presented with two options. One would be to relocate to Seattle and begin working on projects in the Pacific Northwest and the other was to delay my relocation and stay in the Bay Area for a few more years to work on the SFO AirTrain Extension project.

Both were great options, but ultimately, I decided to stay in the Bay Area to focus on a role that would allow me to strengthen my core skills.

What made this moment so significant?

The SFO project gave me the opportunity to focus on the fundamentals of running a successful project and truly own my scope and sharpen bridgebuilding skills. That ownership and focused learning opened doors later in my career.

What were the biggest lessons learned from this moment?

Choosing to stay and work on the SFO project taught me to prioritize long term growth over short term optics — I now look for roles that increase my capability, not just my title or location. Career progress isn’t always linear — short delays or detours that increase your skills often pay off faster than chasing the next title.

Do you have any advice for someone who is trying to "level up" in their career?

Seek opportunities that expand your knowledge and give clear ownership, even if they don’t look like the fastest path forward. Choose roles that force you to solve gaps in your experience — those stretch assignments are the quickest way to grow.