Her Story
About Elesha
Elesha Mahadeo, PMP, is an experienced project management professional with nearly a decade of expertise leading cross-functional initiatives across marketing, technology, and construction industries. Currently serving as a Technology Project Manager within the Enterprise Technology Solutions team at DPR Construction, she specializes in managing integrations for marketing and communications platforms while helping teams improve processes, collaboration, and operational efficiency. Elesha often describes herself as a “harmonic collaborator” because of her ability to bring together diverse personalities and teams, creating environments where people feel supported, aligned, and empowered to succeed. Elesha began her career in Boston as a fund management administrative assistant with an industrial real estate company, where she coordinated projects related to property management and office operations. After relocating to Dallas with her husband just before the COVID-19 pandemic, she took a leap of faith into a marketing project coordinator role, a move that ultimately shaped her long-term career path in project management. She later earned her project management certification through Collin College and went on to build a strong foundation in the technology and software development space. Throughout her career, she has implemented new processes, developed operational playbooks, and supported large-scale initiatives through roles at Trimble Inc., Circle, Naviant, and OneSource Virtual. Her recent transition into construction reflects her desire for long-term stability while continuing to expand her technical expertise in marketing operations as she prepares to welcome her first child. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Elesha is deeply committed to leadership, mentorship, and community service. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Marketing from the University of Central Florida and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI). Outside of work, she is actively involved with the Junior League of Dallas, served on both the DEIB and Development Committees that focused on initiatives focused on education, homelessness, civil rights, and environmental sustainability. She also recently completed nonprofit board governance certifications through BoardBuild and plans to continue serving nonprofit organizations and community initiatives throughout her career.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Elesha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to strong mentorship, continuous learning, and experiences that pushed me to grow as a leader. My current coach at DPR Construction has helped me deepen my project management skills in ways I hadn’t experienced before, while my certification through Project Management Institute gave me the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals across multiple industries. My involvement with the Junior League of Dallas also built my confidence through event leadership and networking, and being a licensed fitness instructor taught me how to lead, communicate clearly, and connect with people effectively.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
One of the things I encourage is to first figure out what realm you want to go into with project management. It's such a wide field and there are so many different ways you can be a project manager without even being in that title, like operations management or program management. So hone in on what you think your interests would really be. Then do some research on how your skills can be a valuable asset to that realm rather than just jumping in, because sometimes you can just lean into something and end up hating it. For me, I realized I'm strong in connection and bringing people together. I often refer to myself as the harmonic collaborator, and I love being able to be that voice for different personalities and groups, making everyone feel comfortable within that team. I also encourage doing further research on what's required in actually getting your license. Anyone can go into project management without receiving that certification, but I feel like that additional knowledge just helps because you're able to pick up on how to navigate certain projects. And connect with people who are in your industry and learn from them, shadow them. I've allowed people that I've connected with on LinkedIn to do meetups if they were in DFW, or virtual coffee dates. Trust your research, know what you want to do, hone in on your skills and strengths because that will really help you feel more confident in the room. And don't be afraid to ask questions. I'm licensed and certified and been doing it for a while, but I lean heavily on my supervisor and run possible scenarios with her. It's not showing a sign of weakness, it's gaining the knowledge and wisdom you need to help you further advance in your career.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me in both my work and personal life are service, community impact, and continuous growth. My involvement with the Junior League of Dallas has reinforced how important it is to use my skills and time to support causes that create meaningful change, whether through fundraising or initiatives focused on civil rights, homelessness, or environmental efforts like tree planting. I also deeply value leadership and lifelong learning, which is why earning my board certifications through Junior League Dallas was such an important milestone for me. As I look toward the future, especially after having my son, I hope to continue giving back by serving on nonprofit boards and helping organizations make a lasting impact in their communities.
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