2022 Women in Construction: Amritha Rajan, Bright Power

Name: Amritha Rajan

Title: Project Manager

Company Name: Bright Power

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months?
I am very proud of the six NYCHA projects I have been working on since the beginning of 2020, all which have closed recently and will be starting construction this month. After carefully curating each sustainable design solution for these buildings this past year, it feels great to see it in action soon. These are definitely aspects of my career I deeply cherish and feel rewarded from.

Who within your own firm has helped you succeed within the construction industry?
The new construction division of Bright Power is led by very strong and prominent women in the sustainability industry, and I am immensely grateful and lucky to be working with them. The constant support and guidance by mentors like Andrea Mancino, Carmel Pratt and Drashti Dhirwani is the reason I was able to venture out my interest in Passive House and LEED projects.

Why should women consider a career in construction?
I truly believe representation of women in all fields matters in order to create an equitable harmonious society. I found my passion and interests in the field of construction of sustainability through many women who inspired me. The construction industry demands great amounts of problem solving and management skills, simultaneously one gets the opportunity to create a huge impact on people’s day to day lives as well as the environment.

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you?
I cannot thank my mother enough for who I am today. Being the daughter of an architect, I was introduced to site visits and conferences growing up. Over the years many coworkers, teachers and professors have expanded my horizons by sharing opportunities, knowledge and mentoring me to become a better leader. These people have a huge share in empowering me by paving the path for many women like me, and by being living examples of successful changemakers in the construction industry.