2026 Women in Construction: Michele Pitale, M.D., CounterpointeSRE

What do you wish more women knew about the opportunities available in the construction industry today?

Women are major decision makers and constitute a large portion of the construction industry from wielding machinery to project management and to providing financing.

What emerging challenge or opportunity do you see shaping the construction industry in the next few years, and how are you preparing for it?

Despite huge potential to accelerate reduced GHG emissions, developers often think these measures will increase costs when the opposite is often true, especially if these measure unlock access to low-cost capital. The opportunity lies in the long term benefits that include reduction in operating costs, increase in tenant rents and building appraised value are often the result of considering energy efficiency in design.

What is one piece of advice or perspective you would share with women beginning their careers in the construction industry?

Determine your strengths and go for it.

What habit or routine helps you stay focused or motivated during a busy week?

Rigorous conformance to schedule and attention to detail assures productive days when days get very busy.

What is something outside of work that brings you energy, balance or creativity?

Family, friends, and community.

Share one fun or unexpected detail about yourself that colleagues might not know.

Briefly held the Guinness world record for marathon ping- pong match that lasted 2 days.

What current or recently completed project, accomplishment or initiative are you most excited about, and why does it matter for your team, clients or community?

This year my team closed the first new construction C-PACE financing in NYC, which at $156 million is the largest C-PACE in the state and one of the largest in the nation. The NYC PACE program has faced many hurdles hurdles that have prevented transactions closing. Working through these challenges is a transformative event for NYC as well as the C-PACE industry.