2022 Women in Construction: Ericka Keller, Brisa Builders Corp.

Name: Ericka Keller

Title: Chairperson / CEO

Company Name: Brisa Builders Corp.

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months?
Ebenezer Plaza is a three-phased project—comprising of 523 units of affordable housing, 40,000 s/f of community facility and 25,000 s/f of commercial/retail, we commenced construction in July 2018, and we completed the first two phases in November 2021 consisting of 316 units of family housing, 47,500 s/f of community facility and commercial retail core and shell. Aside from the co-developer, we served in the CM role for this project located in Brooklyn, NY, not far from where I grew up.

Why should women consider a career in construction?
I believe women innately have the skill sets necessary to be quite successful in the field of construction which centers on building relationships and being highly organized which are characteristics that we often possess in the many roles we have in society.

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you?
This is a second career for me. I chose not to become part of the family general contracting business when I graduated from college and chartered my own career path. However 20 years later, I circled back and joined the family business to make sure that there was a succession plan for the business. I am glad to have made that decision and sorry that I didn’t right after college.

Who within your own firm has helped you succeed within the construction industry?
My father was my greatest inspiration in the industry, and I was fortunate to have two years to work with him before he passed away.