2019 Women in Building Services: Christa Forte, Shawmut Design and Construction

Name: Christa Forte

Title: Senior Project Manager, Retail

Company Name: Shawmut Design and Construction               

How many years have you been in your current field? 14 years

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? 
The completion and reopening of the Chanel flagship on 57th St., which included 2.5 years of renovating and expanding the entire boutique.

What trend(s) do you predict to dominate your industry in 2019? 
In 2019, we will continue to see retail clients “think outside the box” on how to provide a unique experience for their customers (and get them to shop in store). We will continue to see clients creatively entice customers through hands-on interaction zones, product customization areas, in-store exclusives, and café areas. 

What does it mean to you to be a team player? 
In the construction industry, being a team player is everything! As a general contractor, we drive a process, and it’s our job to lead the team and bring all parties together to create a great final product. A successful team player can seamlessly lead a meeting with architects and engineers and then deliver direction to superintendents and sub-contractors.