2026 Ones To Watch - Rising Stars: Cecilia Orduña, Shawmut Design and Construction

“Less than five years into her career, Cecilia has worked for some of New York’s most iconic and innovative organizations, from New York Public Library and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment to Taconic Partners and NYU Langone Health, building spaces that drive growth for the city and its communities. Cecilia is passionate about broadening industry access, serving as a mentor, raising awareness of the different career opportunities in construction, and championing inclusivity at Shawmut and beyond.” 

What accomplishment or project so far in your career are you most proud of?

My work on the renovation of New York Public Library’s Aguilar branch. When our team faced unforeseen conditions, I helped resolve critical elevation and benchmarking issues alongside engineers and surveyors and led field investigations that informed the project’s approach to groundwater management. I also worked alongside Spanish-speaking crews which gave me the confidence to improve my Spanish, helping me build trust and communicate more effectively with trade partners. More than any single accomplishment, this project is meaningful because of how much I grew personally and professionally.

Who has been a mentor or influential figure in your career, and what is the most valuable advice they have shared with you?

A manager once told me to “find what sets you apart from others” by trusting my perspective and being willing to act on it. I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded by mentors and leaders who encourage me to take initiative, support my ideas, and give me opportunities to see them through, whether that’s coordinating a complex underpinning scope for a landmarked façade, leading an estimate independently, or partnering with a teammate to bring back site visits to Shawmut’s training program. Their support has empowered me to trust myself and collaborate more effectively alongside my team.

What inspired you to pursue a career in your industry, and what path brought you to your current role?

I originally pursued engineering because I enjoyed science, math, and problem-solving, so when I discovered civil engineering and construction in college, it was a natural fit. As a kid, I loved building LEGOs and would purposely break what I had built just to see how quickly I could rebuild it without the instructions. Solving complex challenges is one of my favorite parts of what we do, but what I find most rewarding is seeing our projects become places that communities use, depend on, and value long after construction is complete.

What trends or opportunities do you see shaping the future of your industry?

One of the greatest opportunities is finding ways to better preserve and share the knowledge of experienced professionals and skilled craftspeople so it can be applied to future projects. As technology improves how we document and access project data, teams will have more opportunities to learn from past projects and apply those lessons to new challenges. Construction will always be a people-driven industry, and I’m excited about tools that allow us to spend less time managing information and more time solving problems, collaborating, and delivering value to our clients and communities.