Her Story
About Rea
Rea R. Balanga, CHST, STSC, is a construction safety professional with over 17 years of experience specializing in environmental management, occupational health and safety, project administration, database management, and reporting. Based in San Diego, California, she currently serves as the San Diego Area Safety Manager for Granite Construction, where she supports major infrastructure projects, including city streets, freeways, and bridges. Her responsibilities include identifying workplace hazards, developing safety solutions, conducting inspections, delivering training, and partnering with craft workers and project teams to promote a strong safety culture.
Throughout her career, Rea has held progressive safety leadership roles with organizations such as Brookfield Properties, Suffolk Construction, and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, advancing from safety coordinator and safety engineer positions into management. She earned an Associate’s Degree in Environmental Engineering Technology/Environmental Technology from Southwestern Community College District, where she was involved with Phi Theta Kappa’s Alpha Pi Epsilon Chapter and the Environmental Technology Club, and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University. She also holds professional certifications including Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) and Safety Trained Supervisor–Construction (STSC) through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
As a Filipino woman working in a traditionally male-dominated construction environment, Rea has built her career by challenging stereotypes and embracing opportunities to grow beyond expectations. She credits her success to determination, curiosity, attention to detail, and the willingness to ask questions and take on difficult challenges. Passionate about empowering others, she strives to be an example for future generations by showing that women can succeed in field-based construction roles through confidence, resilience, and continuous learning. Her leadership reflects a commitment to protecting workers, improving job-site safety, and creating more inclusive opportunities within the construction industry.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rea
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my determination, resilience, and refusal to accept limitations. When I decided to transition into construction, doubts from others motivated me to prove that I could succeed. I learned to take initiative, earn my place, and stay engaged by studying project plans, asking questions, and understanding the details. My willingness to challenge expectations and continuously learn has helped me build credibility and achieve success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is that I cannot wait for someone else to give me permission to belong. Early in my journey, I faced doubts about whether construction was the right path for me, but I chose to trust my abilities and continue moving forward. I learned that if I know I have something valuable to contribute, I need to take my seat at the table, speak up, and be confident in my capabilities. That mindset has guided my career by reminding me not to let fear, stereotypes, or others’ expectations define what I can achieve.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to ask questions, keep learning, and do things even when they feel scary. It’s okay not to know everything. Growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, trusting yourself, and taking on challenges despite fear.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in construction is creating a more inclusive industry, especially for women who remain underrepresented in the field. Throughout my career, I have navigated barriers and challenged assumptions about who belongs in construction leadership. I see this as an opportunity to create change by bringing my expertise, advocating for safer jobsites, and showing future generations of women that they have a place in this industry.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are courage, respect, trust, and a commitment to helping others. I believe leadership is about more than enforcing rules—it is about building relationships, listening, and creating an environment where people feel safe and valued. My work is driven by the desire to protect others, challenge expectations, and inspire future generations to pursue their goals without limits.
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