2022 Women in Construction: Emma Kurihara, Bright Power

Name: Emma Kurihara

Title: Senior Project Manager

Company Name: Bright Power

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months?
This year, I became a RESNET Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater. Part of the certification process involved mentored field trainings, where I learned a lot about the verification and testing.

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you?
My passion for sustainability empowered me to work hard and learn as much as I could about the best practices for building sustainably. My manager and fellow team members encouraged me to always ask questions while on site together, which facilitated my learning of the construction industry.

Why should women consider a career in construction?
It is an exciting, hands-on field where you can see the concrete (pun intended) results of your hard work. There are a lot of different roles and specialties, so it is easy to find something that you are interested in.

Who within your own firm has helped you succeed within the construction industry?
My manager Zoe Grossman has led by example as a strong woman in construction, showing me how to perform construction inspections and how to speak up if something needs to be corrected.

What advice would you offer to other women getting into the construction industry?
Be confident in your knowledge and abilities and find ways to keep learning.