2026 Women in Construction: Sinhea Lee, JCJ Architecture

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?

My work on a multi‑brand hotel project in the Bronx — a milestone collaboration with our Boston office and our inaugural partnership with this client. I’ve worked with the team leading the design side of the schematic design, design development, and construction documents phases, carrying the vision forward with clarity and consistency.

The client expanded our scope to include exterior design, reflecting the strength of our collaboration. It’s rewarding to strengthen cross-office relationships while contributing to the growth of a borough with tremendous potential.

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

Many pathways exist in the construction industry to grow, lead, and shape the built environment. It requires resilience, but also offers the chance to collaborate, solve problems in real time, and see your work become something tangible and lasting.

Construction encapsulates design, project management, coordination, strategy, and relationship‑building. Women bring valuable perspectives to these areas, and the industry is increasingly recognizing the importance of diverse voices. There is space here for women to thrive, influence decisions, and build meaningful careers.

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

The industry is evolving quickly, with new technologies, shifting work environments, and the perspectives from new generations — both a challenge and an opportunity. Staying effective means staying adaptable.

My approach is to remain open to learning, embrace new platforms and processes, and integrate them into my workflow. Rather than resisting change, I try to understand it, experiment with it, and shape it into something that strengthens my contribution to the team. This mindset not only keeps me current, but prepares me to support colleagues and clients as the industry transforms.

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

Everyone’s path in this industry looks different, and that’s something to embrace. One piece of advice that has stayed with me came from a former professor who simply said, “Be kind.” Another perspective that shaped my early career was learning to be patient. Both kindness and patience can feel challenging at times, and they’re easy to overlook when the pace of work gets intense—but they make a real difference. No matter where you start, if you stay committed, give yourself time to grow, and approach people and projects with generosity, the results have a way of coming back in meaningful ways

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

I stay focused by mentally pre-running the day — prioritizing tasks and mapping inputs to move through work with intention.

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

Recharging with a balance of quiet time at home and conversations with people from different backgrounds, sparking new ideas.

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

I connect with my local community and the arts through my work as a photographer, art teacher, and graphic designer.