Cassandra Marshall

I think I'm a hard worker, and I think I just like what I do. When you just like what you do, and you have a passion and a drive for it, that really makes the difference. I've been in this industry for 28 years, and having that genuine interest keeps me going. I also think my success comes from paying attention to details and really learning as much as I can. Whether I'm working from the contractor side or the owner's side, I make sure I understand the contracts and what's required - everyone sees things differently from their perspective, so that understanding is critical. The experience I gained working on all different sides of the industry - starting in engineering and design, then spending seven or eight years working for a contractor where I really learned the most about construction, and then moving into program management and now construction management - all of that exposure to different elements has helped me understand what it takes to do a project successfully. I've also learned not to take things personally and to take the personal stuff out of it and make it more about the business, which has helped me navigate the challenges of managing people and coordinating different teams effectively.

I had a previous boss, Jason Kuhn, who really trained me when I was on the contractor side, and he was incredibly influential as a mentor. He gave me all of that - the confidence, empowering me to make decisions, and teaching me how to navigate this industry. Beyond just the technical skills, I was exposed to estimating and got to estimate a couple of projects, which gave me a much broader understanding of all the different elements that it takes to do a project. That exposure and his guidance in helping me see the full picture of project management really shaped my career and gave me the foundation I needed to move into leadership roles.

Just learn as much as you can and pay attention to details. I mean, at the end of the day, it still comes always full circle back to that, regardless of whether you're on the contractor side or the owner's side. Understanding a contract, understanding what's required - everyone is just seeing it differently from their perspective, so you need to really grasp those fundamentals. I think I learned more about the construction industry working for a contractor than anywhere else - you really get into it with the contracts and understanding what is required. That hands-on experience and willingness to dive deep into the technical aspects of the work is what builds your expertise and credibility. Don't be afraid to ask questions and continuously learn and develop your skills, because that knowledge is what will carry you forward in this field.

I guess just managing people is one of the biggest challenges, especially as you move further up in your career. The further you go up the food chain, it is more people, and everybody has a view and an opinion that you have to navigate and coordinate through all of that. Whether it's good or bad perspectives, you're constantly trying to figure out solutions for the group and the team. Everyone has different opinions and different values, and you have to be able to bring all of those perspectives together to move projects forward. It's not just about the technical work anymore - it's about getting everyone aligned and working toward the same goals, which can be one of the most complex parts of the job.

I've learned not to take things personally and to take the personal stuff out of it and make it more about the business. I know a lot of people don't necessarily agree with that approach, but it's worked for me throughout my career. Being able to separate the personal from the professional has helped me navigate difficult situations and make decisions that are best for the project and the team, rather than getting caught up in emotions. I also value being a hard worker and having a genuine passion for what I do. When you truly like your work and have that drive, it makes everything else fall into place. I'm also someone who values staying open to new opportunities and challenges - I love my job, but I'm always open to better opportunities that might come before me, whether that means growing in my current role or potentially going somewhere else to work.