Her Story
About maxine
Maxine Williams serves as a Senior Project Manager in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she has specialized in construction since 1999. With more than 30 years in the field, her expertise centers on leading complex hospital construction projects and renovations from start to finish, managing budgets, schedules, team coordination, and acting as a liaison between clients, architects, and project teams. She is a Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) with additional SHE certifications and on-the-job training, and she maintains membership in ASHE. Williams leads small to large-scale building projects with a focus on organization and documentation, advice she received early in her career. She attributes her professional success to her Jamaican heritage and Caribbean culture, which fostered a tenacious, passionate approach to overcoming challenges such as gender bias and the fast pace of modern projects. Outside of her work, Williams created the Al Williams Foundation to support causes including the Gift of Life Foundation and Fostering for Hope, and she mentors women of color pursuing leadership roles in construction. She lives by the principle of being the change she wishes to see in the world.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with maxine
01What do you attribute your success to?
I'm a Jamaican woman. We come with a lot. Jamaicans are one of the most passionate set of people. The tenacity we have speaks volumes. We're a small country, and we pack a big punch. I was raised with that tenacious attitude. Whatever you put your mind to. I attribute that to my upbringing and my Caribbean culture.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Documentation. Make sure you are fully documented, everything is documented. Early in my career, a PM said I think you have a lot of potential, stick this one out, and you will see the rewards. I stuck it out and I'm still doing it.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Shut out the white noise and push past any hurdles. Make sure you're organized. I mentor a lot, especially women of color in construction leadership roles.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Projects are faster, everything is rush. As a female, making my mark, gender bias, on-site representation because you don't see a lot of people that look like me. Females are considered less credible so you have to go 10 miles to prove your value.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Be the change you wish to see in the world. It's a Mahatma Gandhi quote I live by. I live my life in a way that people can't see who I am.
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