Her Story
About Erica
Erica Taylor is a highly skilled Senior Construction Project Manager with extensive experience on mid to large scale commercial, industrial, aviation, and aerospace projects in the private, Federal, and military sectors ranging from $100K - over $200M. sand aviation industry professional with 33 years of experience spanning architecture, engineering, construction management, project management, program leadership, and owner representation. Since earning her Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Penn State University, she has developed a diverse career that began as an electrical design engineer for a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing consulting engineering firm before advancing into project management for general contractors, owner's project management (OPM), owner's representation, and aviation-focused project management. Her extensive experience provides her with a comprehensive understanding of the full project lifecycle, enabling her to effectively lead complex initiatives from planning and design through construction and completion. Taylor is passionate about transforming ideas and visions into tangible results and takes pride in solving challenges, assembling strong project teams, and guiding projects successfully from start to finish. Throughout her career, Taylor has built expertise in construction project management, design and constructability oversight, contract development and negotiation, procurement, budget forecasting, risk assessment, compliance, and stakeholder relations. She is recognized for her ability to coordinate owners, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, vendors, and multidisciplinary teams while maintaining a strong focus on project objectives, communication, accountability, and successful delivery. Taylor holds an OSHA 30 certification and is pursuing her Project Management Professional (PMP) credential. She also maintains professional memberships with the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), Project Management Institute (PMI), and Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). Her professional philosophy is grounded in integrity, honesty, accountability, and reliability, and she believes that strong relationships, clear communication, and a solutions-oriented mindset are essential to effective leadership. Taylor attributes her success to a lifelong passion for engineering, architecture, and problem-solving that began in high school through mechanical drawing and auto shop. She has built her career with perseverance and confidence, particularly while navigating challenges within traditionally male-dominated environments, and encourages young women entering construction to be strong, believe in themselves, and pursue work they genuinely love. Outside of her professional career, Taylor enjoys spending time on the water, particularly boating and paddleboarding, as well as motorcycle riding and traveling. She also has a strong appreciation for art and enjoys attending art shows, which provide an opportunity to explore creativity and new perspectives. Her combination of technical expertise, leadership, resilience, and genuine passion for her work continues to shape her approach to both professional and personal pursuits.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Erica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a natural passion and genuine curiosity for how things work. From a young age, I enjoyed taking things apart and understanding how they were built, and that interest continued through high school, where I discovered a love for mechanical drawing and auto shop. Pursuing engineering and architecture felt like a natural extension of those interests because I was drawn to the creativity, problem-solving, and technical challenges they offered. My passion for learning and building has continued to guide my career and has been a driving force behind my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I believe the best career advice I have received is to persevere, believe in myself, and have confidence in my abilities. It is important to recognize my own competence and not be afraid to demonstrate confidence in what I bring to the table. I have learned that I should never allow others to make me feel uncomfortable or question whether I belong in a role I have earned. Staying confident, trusting my experience, and continuing forward despite challenges have been key to my professional growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering my industry to be strong, confident, and true to themselves. If you are passionate about what you do and genuinely love your work, trust that you are pursuing something you were meant to do. Believe in your abilities, embrace the challenges along the way, and never let doubt prevent you from pursuing your goals. It's not an easy role in such a male dominated industry, so above all, you must possess the passion to do it, the strength to pursue it, and the confidence to know you can!
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I believe one of the biggest challenges in my field right now is navigating a slowdown in projects while continuing to pursue opportunities for professional growth. As I work toward reaching the executive level, finding the right opportunities to demonstrate my leadership and capabilities can be particularly challenging in a remote work environment. At the same time, I see an opportunity to remain adaptable, continue building my skills and relationships, and position myself for the right leadership opportunity as the industry evolves. The greatest challenge however, as a woman in construction was earning respect from others that I rightfully deserved.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me, both professionally and personally, are integrity, honesty, accountability, reliability, and of course RESPECT. I believe people should take responsibility for their actions, follow through on their commitments, and be dependable. I also value maintaining a calm, solution-oriented approach when challenges arise. Rather than arguing or raising your voice, I believe in communicating respectfully, focusing on the facts, and working together to find a solution. These principles guide how I lead, work with others, and build lasting professional relationships.
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