What do you do here at EDA?
I’m the operations assistant for the NY/NJ office.
What’s your favorite thing about working with your team/department?
Being in the middle of it all. I get to observe how the superintendents, foremen, and project managers approach each aspect of a project and how they troubleshoot. I get to watch the entire play progress section by section, start to finish, and feel like an integral part of it all.
Outside of work, do you have any favorite activities or hobbies?
I’m a serial hobbyist, but now I mostly spend time with my 3-year-old daughter. My favorite has always been art. I paint with oil paints and have created portraits up to 6 ft tall in the past. I don’t feel good if I’m not creating something. In the summer, I built a mud kitchen for my daughter out of scrap wood I found. Next year, I may try my hand at something else. Home Depot and I are friends.
What’s the best piece of advice you have been given relating to your job/career?
“That the only person who thinks you aren’t good enough is you.” Whenever I remember this phrase, I keep moving forward. Funnily enough, I still remember it in their voice and tone.
What’s one thing you never leave home without?
The list is too long to mention—water, and everything in case of emergency.
Cats or dogs? Why?
Both. Animals are a pleasure to have around.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Being part of a team that is passionate about the industry—passionate about wanting to achieve and deliver.
If you were planning your favorite meal, what’s on the menu?
Definitely something grilled—out in the open over a fire pit, lots of fresh air, and seasoning that must include smoked paprika. Meat and veggies can vary.
How do you stay updated on industry trends and advancements, and are there any recent developments that have caught your attention?
I have to admit the way I receive information has changed. I still enjoy a good, lengthy documentary on global issues, but now I mostly follow groups on social media like Business Insider. I look out for sustainable building and farming practices in the developing world, or how older cities are tackling the changing climate and population growth. The whole idea of creating cleaner, greener cities for the future is fascinating to me.
A development that caught my attention? Creating alloys of metal and glass that can control the internal climate of a building, reducing the need for heating and cooling. What will they think of next?
What’s your proudest accomplishment, either in your professional or personal life?
Being able to flex to whichever environment I’m in—recognizing that I’m a novice sometimes and giving myself the space to learn and grow. This mindset has allowed me to amass countless skills and feel that whatever comes my way, I’ve got this.