Influential Woman · Construction

Takeiya Haynes

Assistant Project Manager, UJAMAA Construction

Morrow, GA

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management with Minor in Business Degree Bradley University Degree Master's Degree in Business Administration Cert OSHA 30

Her Story

About Takeiya

I've been in construction since 2018, bringing 8 years of experience to my role as Assistant Project Manager at Ujamaa Construction. My responsibilities include ensuring projects stay on task, managing scheduling and coordination between subcontractors, and maintaining open communication with clients and architects. I oversee my team, which includes the project engineer and field superintendent, to make sure we're all on the same page throughout the project. A typical day involves meetings with architects and clients, reviewing RFIs (requests for information), breaking down schedules into 3-week increments, and conducting walkthroughs of project sites to visually assess progress and address open items. I work across multiple sectors including aviation, healthcare, and education. My most notable achievements include my recent promotion to Assistant Project Manager after completing a renovation at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport as part of a joint venture, and finishing a renovation for a vascular wellness center in Stockbridge, Georgia, where I wore multiple hats on a smaller team. I'm particularly proud of my early work on concessions at Midway Airport in Chicago, which millions of travelers still see today. I hold a bachelor's degree in construction management with a minor in business from Bradley University and a master's in business administration, along with OSHA 30 certification and various software certifications. Though I graduated in 2008, it took me 10 years to break into this predominantly male field as a Black woman, which presented significant challenges. My goal is to eventually become my own general contractor.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Takeiya

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to my family, who have always encouraged me and motivated me to stick with this career. Throughout the 10 years it took me to break into the construction industry, they were there supporting me and pushing me forward. Their constant encouragement gave me the strength to persist in pursuing my goals in this field, even when facing challenges as a Black woman entering a predominantly male industry.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I've ever received is to never give up. I know it might sound cliche, but that has been my model and guiding principle. It took me 10 years to get into the construction industry after graduating, so for me, never giving up has been essential. Along with that, I've learned to stay persistent and to not be afraid to ask questions. You have to just continue to press forward, no matter what obstacles you face. But the biggest piece of advice that has carried me through is to never give up.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

My advice to young women entering the construction industry is to not be afraid to stand out. You don't have to follow the crowd or give in to peer pressure. You can believe in yourself and stand on your own beliefs. You can live through your beliefs and be confident in who you are. Don't be afraid to stand out in a good way and make your own path, even in a male-dominated field.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

The biggest challenges I face in construction are working with men in general and being young in the industry. There's a communication barrier and issues with respect that I have to navigate. The biggest challenge for me is gaining respect in the industry and allowing my work to speak for itself. I have to own who I am and prove myself through the quality of my work, because the respect doesn't always come automatically in this male-dominated field.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

The value most important to me is integrity. I also deeply value relationships - the growth of relationships and even the turmoil of relationships that help you grow as a person. Building and maintaining strong relationships, both professionally and personally, has been central to my journey. But if I had to choose one word to describe my core value, it would be integrity.

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