2023 Women in Construction: Deanna Koestel, Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C.

In the past year, what project or accomplishment are you most proud of? Over the past year, I have been able to help grow the firm’s construction practice significantly, working with my partners on several large construction litigation matters while also working with several small businesses on their risk management and construction matters. 

 Which professional associations or organizations would you recommend to women who are starting out in the AEC industry? Professional Women in Construction.

What was a pivotal point in your career? There have been two pivotal points in my career. First, in 2008 I litigated a construction matter for over five years through discovery, trial, and judgment in favor of my client. That experience solidified my interest, and inspired me to specialize in construction law. Second, in 2022 I was named chair of Construction Law at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, where I am able to draw on my years of construction litigation experience to assist clients in restructuring business plans and contracts to minimize risk and avoid litigation.

What is your favorite building in New York? The Flatiron Building. 

How can AEC companies recruit more women? Companies should focus on equitably promoting and developing women in leadership positions. Key to these objectives are (1) mentorship programs between women in AEC companies and (2) implementing promotion standards that take into account, and providing benefits to support, women’s work-life and family obligations in a manner that does not negatively affect their leadership trajectory.