Name: Rhonda Scharf, ASID

Title: Interior Design Director

Company Name: Spectorgroup

Starting out in the construction business, who or what empowered you?
As a freshman in college, I lived in student housing. The building was cinder block—not the most ideal construction or aesthetically-pleasing material. That experience helped me realize how interior design can completely transform a space, and positively contribute to our well-being. I learned that interior design is not only about finishes and furniture, but also about the ability to bring positive connections in a space. That passion turned into a career, and health and wellness has been at the forefront of my design decisions since then.

What advice would you offer to other women getting into the construction industry?
Everyone knows that the AEC industry is male dominated. So with that in mind, never sell yourself short or allow anyone to make you think your ideas and opinions don’t matter. Stand up for yourself in an assertive, but always, professional manner.

What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months?
My greatest professional achievement in the last 12 months is completing the Manhattan headquarters for Marcum LLP—a national accounting and advisory services firm. Six years ago, I was the interior designer for Marcum’s Boston office. My design introduced a new color palette along with furniture in order to transition the firm from traditional to modern. It’s so rewarding to see that my work has been rolled out to other Marcum offices nationwide (including NYC), and the rebrand is still relevant today.

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