Her Story
About Orlene
I've been working in compliance and outreach for 2 years in my current role, but I've been helping minority-owned businesses in construction since 2018. I started as an analyst for a mentorship program that helped NWBEs access state and federally funded contracts. In 2020, I began working directly with firms to obtain DBE certification so they could work on federally funded contracts. Now, in my current position, I do two things: compliance work, making sure contractors with goal requirements are honoring those goals and reaching out to MWBE and SDVOB firms, and ensuring subcontractors are actually receiving their funding in a timely manner - basically following the money. I also do outreach, meeting small businesses in the field and letting them know about the plethora of opportunities available to them. My typical day is two-fold: I could be out doing outreach, meeting and greeting small businesses, or in the office on the compliance level, reaching out to firms individually, confirming they're working on contracts and being paid, and making sure everyone is on one accord. My most rewarding work was with the governor's office on the Sandy project, where I helped affected homeowners obtain grants, work well with contractors, make sure contractors followed the scope of work and weren't stealing from homeowners, and ultimately get back into their homes. Hearing homeowners call to say they got their certificate of occupancy and could move back home truly brought my heart joy.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Orlene
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being told that I can't. Early in my career, I received what was meant as negative advice - that I was a woman in a man's world, so my advancement would be limited. When I heard that, I decided that's not what my future was going to look like. That challenge, being told I couldn't succeed, became my motivation to prove otherwise and has driven me to where I am today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was actually negative advice that I turned into motivation. Someone told me, 'You are a woman in a man's world, so your advancement will be limited.' It's funny because it was meant to discourage me, but I ran with it. When I heard that, I decided that's not what my future was going to look like. Because of that advice and my determination to prove it wrong, I am where I am today.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay true and use your mind, not your body, for your success. It's very hard in this industry, but you have to remain authentic to yourself and rely on your intelligence and capabilities to advance, not anything else.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In my field, there are a lot of opportunities, but the biggest challenge is people not knowing about those opportunities. Another major challenge is people not understanding the language of minority - that minority does not mean poor. I've encountered many people of color who own businesses, and when I tell them about amazing opportunities available to them, the first thing out of their mouth is 'I own a business, I'm not a minority.' I have to explain to them that yes, they are a minority. This misperception and lack of understanding about what minority means is one of the biggest obstacles we face.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family is most important to me. Outside of work, my life is church - I love God's people and I am a servant of God's people. I'm very involved in my church ministry as the event manager and as the administration officer for our women's department. My church operates 365 days a year, and because of my role as event manager, I'm involved in every event consistently. Being grounded in my faith and serving others through my church community is central to who I am.
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