2023 Women in Construction: Victoria Wieslander, Skanska USA Building, Inc.

In the past year, what project or accomplishment are you most proud of? I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2021 and immediately started treatment in November. At the time I was overseeing the demolition of three existing buildings on the Harlem Hospital campus to make way for the new NYC Public Health Lab. In receiving the news and going through treatment and surgery, I most surprised myself at the focus and positive state of mind I was able to maintain throughout this past year. I prioritized staying strong mentally and physically in between treatments, to continue to perform effectively and minimize the impact on my team and the project. 

What was a pivotal point in your career? I was assigned to a small team in the early stages of a high-profile project. I was getting valuable exposure to a variety of tasks and to the company as a whole. The senior PM left the company, suddenly, leaving me as the acting lead PM for the project. It became clear there were no plans to replace him, so I braced myself and took on the role. Through this unexpected turn of events, I was able to turn the situation into a success story, fulfill my potential, showcase my skill set and began to drive my career with intention.