Spotlights
2023 Women in Construction: Karina Ruiz, Aurora Contractors, Inc.
In the past year, what project or accomplishment are you most proud of? My proudest accomplishment this past year is my promotion as compliance manager. Since joining Aurora 10 years ago, I have taken Aurora’s project coordination department to new heights. I began my journey as a site-based project coordinator,2023 Women in Construction: Sheri Best, OnCentive
In the past year, what project or accomplishment are you most proud of? Leading the Nontraditional Employment for Women’s (NEW) ambassador council revision of the New to NEW event structure and goals. This was done by creating more clarity around the purpose of the event, focusing and enhancing the presentation format to deliver critical facts,2023 Women in Construction: Leslie Cook, IMC Construction
What was a pivotal point in your career? There have been a few but one of the first was in my early 20’s when I was an assistant project manager. My PM had to unexpectedly leave and I had to step into his position. I was already handling most of his work load but knowing he wasn’t going to be there terrified me.2023 Women in Construction: Jennifer Sharkey, IMC Construction
What was your greatest professional achievement or most notable project in the last 12 months? Being awarded two warehouses totaling 1,050,000 s/f on a 74-acre site. This is the largest footprint project I have been awarded in my career.2023 Women in Construction: Kasia Zielonka, FCA
In the past year, what project or accomplishment are you most proud of? In the past year we have completed a 378,000 s/f ground up building for a large health insurance company. The new headquarters was created to provide the employees with a work environment that will enhance collaboration2023 Women in Construction: Oni Lloyd, Urbahn Architects
In the past year, what project or accomplishment are you most proud of? Serving as Urbahn’s architectural site representative, I recently completed a three-year project in Queens, NY: the $46.5 million, three-story PS 131Q addition in Queens, NY. It was extremely rewarding to witness the reactions2023 Women in Construction: Jessica Pfaff, Taylor the Builders
What was a pivotal point in your career? Being promoted from an administrative role to a project manager /estimator. I love what I do, even when I was in an administrative role. When I was promoted, I would say this was a pivotal point in my career for I went from taking direction to now providing direction.
2023 Women in Construction: Neeti Patel, Scully Construction LLC
In the past year, what project or accomplishment are you most proud of? As a project manager the most defining moments in your career are during times of problem solving and risk mitigation. Over the past several years the construction industry has dealt with many challenges, from pandemic operations,2023 Women in Construction: Jillian Coffey, Taylor the Builders
In the past year, what project or accomplishment are you most proud of? I recently completed a women’s rehabilitation facility in Newark, NY with Catholic Charities Family and Community Service and DASNY. The project was four additions and to renovate the existing facility.