Her Story
About Ena
Ena Lopez has built her career in the construction industry, focusing on multifamily, student housing, and commercial projects. She earned her bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, beginning her studies in Colombia before transferring to Georgia Tech, and later obtained a master's degree in construction management from Kennesaw State University, formerly known as Southern Polytechnic University. Lopez began her professional journey as a project engineer with a general contractor in Atlanta, contributing to a high-rise project in Nashville, where she supported project management and field teams while handling documents and contracts. She advanced to roles as a project manager in student housing in Atlanta and has held various positions with general contractors across different states. Lopez attributes her success to perseverance and constancy, values respect, communication, and accountability in both her professional and personal life, and advises women entering the field to fight for their goals, gain respect, and treat everyone fairly.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ena
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance and being constant. I have received so many no's in different aspects of my life, but even if a door is closed, something is going to open. You have to believe that is going to happen and take the time to review everything, like when applying for a job knowing what they are looking for. If you want it, you can get it, but probably not at the speed you want, but if you are constant, yes.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
As a woman, fight for what you want to do. Don't get panicked if you are in an industry where there is no woman. Get that power to be the woman in the industry, whatever you want to be. It doesn't matter what your environment is. If you want to do it, do it. Helping get those barriers out was very helpful, whether you are a minority, a woman, Hispanic, or facing language barriers.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Keep trying. It is a hard industry to enter. It is a big industry but everybody knows everybody, so try to gain the respect from everybody, whether a subcontractor or a VP of a company. Treat everybody fair because you don't know who is going to be your next owner representative or customer. Be nice with everybody and respect.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
There are a lot of opportunities because construction never ends. If you have a good team, opportunities to grow and build something new are everywhere. The challenges are keeping and getting new subcontractors, good quality subcontractors, getting people to commit and do the things they say they are going to do per contract. For example, having to beg contractors to send documents for a $2 or $3 million contract.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Respect, communication, and accountability are most important. Having that balance in both work and personal lives, like having accountability in my team while also considering family. It is about trying to have balance between family and work, even though in construction not everything is perfect.
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