2018 Women in Real Estate and Construction Services: Nora Swanson, AKF Group

Name: Nora Swanson

Title: Strategic Technology Director / Senior Project Manager

Company Name: AKF Group 

Years in your current field: 14 

What was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2017? 

Graduating from AKF’s Emerging Leaders Academy! I was able to better define my strengths and leadership brand which has influenced my approach and brought a higher sense of awareness to my roles as Strategic Technology Director and BIM Facilitator. Both of these roles highlight my innate creative side which is important when part of these efforts include engaging a wide variety of teams, challenging the status quo, and elevating expectations within the AEC Industry.

If you have had a mentor in your career, who was it and what did they teach you? 

I have been lucky enough to have a series of mentors throughout my career. All of these individuals have embraced and encouraged my creative approach to projects. Among my current mentors are Jake Lawrence, AKF Partner and Technical Core Leader, Rudy Frank, Partner and Leader of AKF’s Commercial Environment, Regis Gaughan, AKF’s Campus Environment Leader, and Rob Diemer, AKF Partner and Founder of In Posse, AKF’s High Performance Building Lab. 

What trends are you seeing so far this year in your field?

The integration of consumer technology, connected devices, data integration, data analytics, and proactive response to this data – collectively known as the Internet of Things – will continue to excite the industry. It is important for decision-makers to understand that the Era of Connection is here and brings about the opportunity to discuss future-proofing your space. Not everyone is ready to jump into an integrated solution, but maybe you have the opportunity to install the backbone for future connectivity or maybe you are ready to develop an enterprise level plan or maybe you need to understand use-cases – no matter where you are at, now is the time to start. 

When I am not working I am… 

Having fun with my husband and 5-year-old son! We love creating in the kitchen, spending time outside with our neighbors, and experimenting with science. We can also often be found relaxing and watching home improvement or cooking television. I recently developed a passion for woodworking; I love creating and building furniture and pieces for our home. I often find myself working in silence and appreciate that it has become a meditative experience for me.