Her Story
About Tanja
Tanja Rucci began her professional career immediately after attending an all-girl Catholic high school, entering the business world at Martin Marietta and then moving into personnel work. After taking time to raise her son, she entered the construction industry via a temp agency opportunity at Armada Hoffler, where she worked on prominent projects such as Legg Mason, known for it's Pre-Certified Silver under the LEED Core and Shell Program, and was one of six developments recognized by the Urban Land Institue. Wavemaker Award in 2009, along with the Four Seasons, as well as Harbor East in Baltimore, Maryland. She obtained her real estate license during this period and later transitioned to the State of Maryland, joining the Department of General Services Office of Real Estate. In her current role, she handles state leases for public safety, including parole and probation offices, ensuring facilities remain operational. She left the IRWA National Right-of-way Association in 2023 upon moving to Public Safety and is considering reestablishing her real estate license.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tanja
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't ever give up, and don't ever think you can't do anything. I had a very strict Italian father who was my best friend and always made me believe that I could do anything. Even as a young girl, we worked on cars together and did drywall together. So I would tell any young girl, don't think you can't do it. Yes, you can.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge for me is the degree world. I chose to work in a technical field and learn hands-on instead of getting an actual degree, and now finding it to be challenging to be recognized or heard. I've spent 4 years in the cold on construction sites learning from the dirt up. In today's society they don't want to look at that even though we are bringing back technical fields, there's a gap for my generation and for women if you didn't get a degree.
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