Drew combines architectural training, construction management expertise, and over two decades in the design and construction industry. As Program Director for the Alamo Colleges District 2017 Bond, he has guided teams through complex projects that deliver modern, inspiring learning environments. His leadership is marked by a personal connection to education, deep roots in San Antonio, and a commitment to building stronger communities through collaboration, innovation and client partnership.

Tell us about your role at ArchTam and the markets you serve.

I serve as Program Management Director and Market Sector Lead for San Antonio, Austin and Houston. In this role, I oversee major programs — including the $450 million Alamo Colleges District Bond Program — while also supporting several clients in the Austin and Houston areas. My day-to-day includes guiding teams, building strong client relationships and creating new opportunities for growth across these regions.

What inspired your career path in program and construction management?

I began my career as a licensed architect in the state of Texas. While I love design, I was drawn to the construction management side of the industry, where I found my skill set and leadership style really aligned. Making the transition opened doors to working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including contractors, architects and clients, on projects that truly make a difference. Today, I get the best of both worlds: the ability to apply my design background while leading diverse teams to deliver impactful results.

You have a special connection to Alamo Colleges. Can you share more about that?

Yes, this program is especially meaningful to me because of my family’s ties to Alamo Colleges. My mother took night classes at San Antonio College while raising me as a working parent. Seeing her dedication gave me a personal appreciation for the role community colleges play in changing lives. To now lead a program that strengthens these institutions in my hometown of San Antonio feels like coming full circle. It’s both a personal and professional chance to give back to the community that shaped me.

What makes the Alamo Colleges program unique?

Scale and impact. We are managing 24 construction and renovation projects across five colleges and three education centers. These projects range from advanced science and technology labs to first responder academies, digital libraries and student support spaces. The work touches every corner of the community, creating opportunities for students from all walks of life to succeed. The program also reflects Alamo’s national recognition for serving Hispanic and working-parent populations — something I saw firsthand through my mom.

Can you share your successful experience with Austin Independent School District’s (ISD) bond program?

We have a wonderful team at Austin ISD. I support our program director and her team of managers and coordinators to successfully deliver a great program. This role has allowed me to work closely with our team to deliver both new and renovated learning environments for Austin ISD’s staff, teachers, students and their families. It’s rewarding to know that these projects directly shape the educational experience of thousands of students in Austin and strengthen the broader community.

What advice would you give to young professionals starting in this field?

Stay flexible and open to opportunities. Don’t be afraid to step outside what you think your role should be. My own transition from architecture to construction management ended up being one of the best career decisions of my life. Say yes to opportunities, dive in and learn as you go — you never know where they may lead.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

The people. Every day brings new challenges, new collaborations and new solutions. No two days are alike, and that variety keeps me energized. I value the strong teams I get to work with, both within ArchTam and alongside our clients and partners. Together, we’re building not just facilities but environments for work and education within our communities.

Finally, what do you love most about your hometown of San Antonio?

San Antonio is a big city with a small-town feel. It’s rich in culture, history and community. From elementary school through college, my career and family, I have always loved this city. It’s home — and that makes the work I do here even more rewarding.

Drew’s leadership stands out as a powerful blend of technical expertise and personal dedication — driving transformative projects that uplift higher education and strengthen communities across Texas.

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Dana brings a unique blend of architectural vision, engineering expertise and strategic leadership to her role. With a career rooted in both design and delivery, she has built a reputation for guiding complex projects that make a lasting impact on communities. Her commitment to collaboration, sustainability and client success shines through in every phase of her work, from concept to completion.

Tell us a bit about yourself – your career journey and current role as Market Sector Lead.

My interest in the built environment took root early on. I was drawn to the idea that every structure begins as a vision and, then through a blend of creativity, coordination and technical skill, becomes something tangible and lasting. That curiosity led me to study architecture, but as my understanding of the industry deepened, I found myself increasingly drawn to the engineering side of construction. I transitioned into construction engineering at Arizona State University, and later earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix to strengthen my leadership capabilities and broaden my strategic business perspective.

Over the years, I’ve discovered that my greatest strength lies in helping clients bring their capital improvement and facility expansion goals to life. As a market sector lead, I take pride in building strong teams and delivering strategic growth through thoughtful leadership and collaboration. I am deeply committed to fostering meaningful partnerships with small, local and diverse suppliers, recognizing the vital role we play together in shaping a more inclusive and resilient industry. By working side by side, we deliver projects that reflect our clients’ values and create lasting benefits for the San Diego community.

Talk to us about a project that has impacted or been a major highlight of your career.

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on has been during my time as a project manager with the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD). My relationship with SDUSD spans decades — from 2001 to 2007, and again since 2013. What keeps drawing me back is the impact. It’s a place where strategic planning meets real, lasting community transformation. As a project manager for SDUSD, I’ve had the opportunity to lead efforts across more than a dozen campuses, overseeing modernization, new construction, and infrastructure upgrades under multi-billion-dollar bond programs. Our work has helped SDUSD expand access to safe, inclusive and future-ready learning environments for charter schools and traditional campuses. These projects like whole site modernizations, new student union buildings, and improved security features, incorporated solutions that helped schools better accommodate growing student populations, refresh aging facilities, and foster more inclusive learning environments. Revitalizing these school facilities has increased community safety and engagement as well as created shared spaces that serve families beyond the classroom.

Helping ensure that schools are equipped to meet both current and future demands has been incredibly rewarding. Walking through a completed site and seeing it come to life with activity and purpose, knowing it directly benefits students, educators and families, is deeply fulfilling. Every time I step onto a campus or attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony, I’m reminded that our work matters. We’re helping shape the places where the next generation will learn, dream and grow.

How do you incorporate community engagement into your design process to support sustainable practices and enhance health and well-being outcomes?

For me, community engagement isn’t optional, it’s essential.

Every project starts with listening. We prioritize understanding the unique needs and values of the people we serve, which allows us to design spaces that are not only environmentally responsible but also supportive of health and well-being of the community.

The San Diego community’s top concerns in education include equitable access, safe and inclusive learning environments, and long-term sustainability. These priorities shape every project we undertake. To address them, as a project manager, I have the opportunity to lead a process grounded in early and ongoing engagement with stakeholders, including district staff, school leaders, families, and community advocates.

Community input informs planning and design from the start, ensuring each project reflects local values. Through transparency and collaboration during construction, we deliver outcomes that are functional, resilient, and deeply connected to the communities they serve. This approach is especially important in a place like San Diego, where the vibrant, collaborative spirit of the city shapes everything we do. The city’s diversity, creativity and innovation create a dynamic environment where partnerships can truly flourish. It’s a privilege to work alongside people who care deeply about their city and its future. Our shared commitment drives more thoughtful, inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

Share a piece of career advice:

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of being intentional with your time and energy. It’s easy to get caught up in the pace of a demanding career, especially when you’re passionate about the work, but staying grounded requires more than just good time management. It takes self-awareness, clear priorities, and the ability to pause and reset when needed.

I often say my life runs on 15-minute calendar blocks, and while that’s partly a joke, it reflects how structured my days can be. What keeps me balanced is making space for the things that matter outside of work. Whether that’s volunteering with ACE Mentor program or Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), leading a Girl Scout troop, or spending time outdoors hiking, skiing or golfing. A fulfilling career isn’t just about what you accomplish professionally, it’s about how you stay connected to your values and your community along the way.

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In the Intuit Dome blog series, we’ve taken a deep dive into each element of Intuit Dome with the leaders who made this project a reality. Today, we learn more about the empowering design architects who brought this project to life and their experience as women in architecture.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in architecture, and how did your background influence your design approach on Intuit Dome?

My diverse background includes experiences in sports, corporate, hospitality and furniture. This has equipped me with a unique perspective and an ability to problem-solve creatively. I enjoy looking at situations from different angles, whether it’s the big picture or the smallest details.

I pursued architecture because I enjoy challenges, allowing me to explore new ideas using technology and art.

My passion began with a deep curiosity about how things work and a fascination with the world around us. This curiosity led me to pursue an engineering degree, where I found the intersection of physics and building design especially captivating. I was drawn to building physics — the study of how the laws of physics apply to the built environment — which ultimately shaped my career path. In 2013, I was fortunate to transition to the High-Performance Buildings and Communities team within our Buildings + Places business line. There, I worked on notable projects such as the Golden 1 Center, applying the lessons learned to future endeavors like Intuit Dome.

Q: Can you describe your specific role with Intuit Dome? What were your main responsibilities?

As the Lead Interior Designer, I was responsible for creating premium, team and public spaces that aligned with the owner’s vision. I collaborated with the team to develop unique designs that catered to the needs of patrons, the team and Clippers staff, overseeing the project from conception to completion.

The Intuit Dome project has many components such as the arena, garages, ancillary buildings and the outdoor plaza. I led the design team for the arena and my primary responsibilities were coordinating the architectural team and the discipline designers, i.e., structural engineers, mechanical engineers and others to deliver contract documents to the construction team.

In my role on the Intuit Dome project, I led the performance-based design modeling, collaborating with high-performance building design specialists across our regions, including the U.S., the UK and Australia. My primary responsibility was to support the project in achieving its ambitious sustainability targets, such as net zero carbon, 100 percent electric energy use and LEED Platinum certification. Additionally, I worked to balance these sustainability goals with other key project requirements, such as enhancing aesthetics, optimizing the fan experience, ensuring thermal comfort and managing costs.

Q: How do you think projects like Intuit Dome contribute to the visibility and recognition of women in architecture?

The prominent presence of women in leadership roles on the Intuit Dome project, including architects, designers, specifiers, construction managers, owners’ representatives and clients, has significantly advanced the field of architecture. Our visibility off-site waiting for a rideshare or our coffee order, often marked by the distinctive PPE gear, has sparked conversations about gender diversity and inspired a desire for more women in these roles.

The Intuit Dome project contributed extensively to the visibility of women in business and architecture. Women were visible at all levels from Gillian Zucker, President of Business Operations for the LA Clippers to young intern architects at our office.

Projects like Intuit Dome are excellent platforms to highlight the invaluable contributions women make to iconic projects, reinforcing their visibility and recognition in architecture. Role models play a critical role in this process, as studies have shown that nearly 60 percent of women believe having a relatable role model is essential to achieving career success. Seeing women in leadership positions on such high-profile projects boosts confidence and support for others, demonstrating that women not only belong in these spaces but are instrumental to their success.

Q: How has the acceptance of women in your field changed throughout the years? How do you think it will look in the future?

Over the years, I’ve witnessed a gradual increase in the acceptance of women in architecture. This trend is encouraging, and I believe it will continue as younger generations recognize the profession as a viable career path. I hope that we’ll eventually achieve gender equality in the field.

I have observed a growing acceptance of women in the workplace, largely due to a stronger focus on diversity and inclusion. However, there is still work to be done to ensure that all women can fully realize their potential and thrive in their careers, and I hope this will occur in the future. Raising awareness and discussing biases and their impact on women’s careers is key, as is fostering a culture of respect and belonging that celebrates diversity. Accountability, particularly at the managerial level, is crucial to advancing diversity and inclusion with leaders supporting work-life balance through flexible working arrangements to help women succeed.

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In the Intuit Dome blog series, we are taking a deep dive into each element of Intuit Dome with the leaders who made this project a reality. Throughout these pieces, we discuss features like community engagement, sustainability and visionary design/innovation to learn more about what makes Intuit Dome a game-changer in sports and entertainment.

LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer originally thought that having an existing building (Staples Center at the time) would be beneficial when he bought the team. Within the first six months, he realized that the situation was unworkable as the third tenant in the building, so he sought out ArchTam as lead designer when he was envisioning the creation of his team’s new home. After initial site selection and concept design, Ballmer then brought ArchTam Hunt on board to review real-time construction cost estimates. A separate procurement led to the hire of an ArchTam Hunt and Turner Construction joint venture as construction manager at-risk. From there, a unique partnership formed that proved to be as iconic as the venue itself.

The magnitude of this project drove the design and delivery team because of Steve Ballmer’s leadership and commitment. On many projects, the design team and contractors are put in opposing camps to identify responsibility for risk or challenges. With Intuit Dome, everyone set aside historic practices to put the success of the project first. The typical process of change orders and requests for information was not discussed in contractual terms but instead focused on solutions. Combining design and construction management expertise to complete this project elevates it to another level.

ArchTam has served concurrently in both roles in the past, most recently at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, but typically these roles have been contracted separately with the assumption that we would act in traditional designer/contractor roles. However, this is the first time that we have engaged in a full collaboration along with the team at CAA ICON.  Across all team members, regardless of company, everyone’s focus was on delivering the highest standard for our client. 

Intuit Dome supersedes all others in the sports and entertainment realm regarding technological advancements. With the arena’s design and ambitious technology goals, the team coordinated with technology partners early in preconstruction. The most visible symbol of this commitment is the Halo scoreboard, which is almost an acre of 4k LED screens, 4-5 times the size of a typical NBA scoreboard. This is also the first time a venue is equipped with fan focused technology like frictionless point-of-sale — from concessions, to merchandise, to their very own seat. With the technology ingrained into the building, the focus is truly on creating an atmosphere that prioritizes the fan experience.

Additionally, on the construction side, the team utilized Microsoft HoloLens technology allowing crews to use real-time BIM information in augmented reality to verify work in place and resolve conflicts. We believe that we’re just scratching the surface of the future usage of technology on large-scale projects like Intuit Dome.

Throughout the design and construction process, a few challenges arose for our team to conquer. This project was unique in that we had to deliver the design and construction documents during COVID-19 while working across offices in LA, Chicago, Kansas City, London and Melbourne. The joint venture had to deal with the cost impact of the pandemic as well as limited commodities and reliance on overseas work. As a result, our team was very clear to the client about the cost impact and to outline the increases and risks.

Moreover, one main schedule issue on the project involved the fabrication and delivery of our diagrid steel. The stadium’s 2,791-ton diagrid structural steel frame (or gridshell) is a design inspired by a basketball net. It consists primarily of pipe radial, diagonal members and complex nodes. The arena enclosure, parking garage, plaza and garden were all impacted by the diagrad’s delivery schedule. Despite all schedule challenges, our team worked cohesively to meet our client’s needs by creating different sequences to pull certain components of the work forward.

Beyond the arena, the project’s connection to the surrounding neighborhood was critical, both socially and sustainably. The LA Clippers worked with the City of Inglewood on a far-reaching benefits package — funding for schools, housing, infrastructure and jobs have all been part of the commitment to develop an arena with positive community impact. Inglewood Mayor James Butts wanted this project to increase employment opportunities in his city, especially the training of young adults. Before the construction of Intuit Dome and SoFi Stadium just to the north, the unemployment rate in Inglewood was around 17 percent. Now, as job creation in the area has increased, the unemployment rate has declined to around 4 percent.

All in all, the ArchTam partnership proved to be more efficient and cost-effective, allowed for greater design quality and produced a better outcome. Working together and successfully creating a world-renowned venue speaks volumes to our ability as a company to be able to deliver a show-stopping project like Intuit Dome.

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Embodied carbon is the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance and eventual disposal of building materials. As I like to say, it’s the carbon that is baked into the cake. Consider this: most of the embodied carbon footprint of a building is front-loaded, meaning that carbon is already in the atmosphere. Whereas operational carbon can be thought of as future carbon, starting at zero on Day 1 and building up from there. With 2030 not far off, embodied carbon offers a tremendous opportunity to make an impact now. An honest accounting of a project’s impact requires a view of the Total Carbon Picture – operational as well as embodied. 

There is a time value to carbon, meaning there are different levels of impact based on when we make reductions. For example, if you have two buildings that reduced carbon by 50 percent over a 10-year timespan, a building that makes those reductions up front via embodied carbon has a significantly lower climate change impact than a building that cuts operational carbon 5 percent a year over 10 years. In a perfect world a project does both, but those unicorns are few and far between. Anybody who has experienced the complete process of planning, design and then construction of a building knows that tradeoffs are unavoidable. What we can do is inform those decisions using the Total Carbon Picture approach so that the tradeoffs made best align with the project mission and its overall carbon performance.

Cities are waking up to this reality. In New York, Mayor Adams recently issued an executive order, EO23 Clean Construction, calling on projects built with city funds to utilize low carbon concrete, develop environmental product declarations, and utilize low emission construction vehicles and equipment. While city-funded projects make up a small percentage of total construction in NYC, the importance of this executive order is its signal to the market that embodied carbon is a priority. Many other cities and states are following suit with either local laws or statewide procurement requirements. Even the federal government is getting into the mix with new guidelines requiring carbon disclosures for vendors over $7.5 million and within the Inflation Reduction Act. While these signals are uncoordinated and generally coastal, there are enough of them to prompt action for those looking at our future market through the lens of competitive advantage or risk management.

At ArchTam, our Construction Management business has already begun preparing for this future by measuring embodied carbon on projects whether requested by the client or not. We know, to solve a problem effectively, we must first understand it, but in our case, we must understand it across a variety of project types in a variety of different markets. That means we are measuring the embodied carbon footprint of concrete and steel, from arenas to skyscrapers, from New York to California.

If understanding the problem is step one, doing something about it is an obvious step two. In parallel to our project measurement effort is a large sub-contractor engagement initiative. We recognize that our sub-contractor partners are critical in any effort to decarbonize the construction material supply chain. They have a sensitivity to cost premiums and material lead times that is extremely valuable and through this initiative our relationships are evolving to include discussions around carbon performance that have never happened before. Our goal is to engage with every sub-contractor in the top 50 percent of carbon emissions in our supply chain.

At the other end of the project spectrum, success will require clients to engage builders earlier than in the past. On some projects, we are hired for pre-construction services where we are a voice at the table during design. Traditionally, that role has been focused on cost and schedule, but now we are beginning to roll carbon into the decision-making process. As builders, we are in the unique position to quickly understand the cost and schedule impact of low carbon decisions. Also, through our relationships with sub-contractors, we can bridge any gaps between the low carbon aspirations of the design and what the market is able to deliver.

Solving complex, multivariate problems has been a hallmark of our work for decades and decarbonizing construction will be no exception. Together, we can get it done.

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I am the vice president of creative services with ArchTam’s Construction Management business, overseeing all creative design projects, translating marketing objectives into creative strategies, and advancing the firm’s brand identity. I lead and direct a team of designers and production artists in the development of high-profile proposals, presentations and marketing materials.

Finding my inspiration

I was born in Paris, France, and as a teenager, was really into American culture. I loved the automobile industry, especially the cars from the 50s to the 70s. I loved the seaside motels and their architecture.

I remember enjoying the film title sequences designed by Saul Bass. He designed all the great credits for Hitchcock and Kubrick movies. That was my inspiration.

Opening up a world of opportunities

My first experience in construction was when I was hired as a production artist by Lehrer McGovern Bovis. I just could not believe the projects that were landing on my desk. It was the renovation of The Statue of Liberty, the renovation of Grand Central Station, Canary Wharf in London. It was just this opportunity that opened, and I was right in the midst of new building and old building construction. And then I could walk in the street and see that building being built, in the process of being built.

My purpose and passion

To be able to participate in the building of next generation of skylines, of vertical towers — in this country, as an immigrant, it’s a real honor and an amazing privilege.

An everlasting legacy for the community

Whether people realize it or not, ArchTam’s work is embedded in the fabric of New York City. I think the most impactful project for me is our work at the World Trade Center. For many New Yorkers the Twin Towers didn’t just dominate the skyline, they were the skyline, which was part of why their absence was felt so viscerally. The new World Trade Center is perfectly fitted for the community. The vertical towers standing tall is a visual representation of our rebound as a nation; we get our freedom of movement back with the Transportation Hub; and a calming oasis for reflection at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza and Liberty Park.

Lessons for new graphic designers

First, fall in love with a range of great designers. You need to study the classics and pay attention. Design is everywhere — Paul Rand’s collection of visual identities, Charlotte Perriand and Ray Eames’ furniture, Milton Glaser’s “I love NY” ad campaign, even album covers like Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. This is your framework, recognizing what works.

Then you can move on to architects, builders, and their iconic creations — the Sheats Golden Stein residence, the Shard, the United Nations Headquarters, the Gateway Arch, the Sidney Opera House and so many more! Challenge yourself to ask questions and find the answers. Why was it designed this way? What were the solutions to obstacles and challenges? Observe the details, like the Chrysler Building’s sunburst pattern of the stainless-steel cladding.

With love comes curiosity, research, knowledge and understanding. Graphic design is an integral tool in successful marketing departments. The craft of creating visual content to communicate is like learning a new language. Stay open-minded, listen to unexpected sources, accept criticism and directions to improve your work, be patient to let ideas develop, try new technology, never stop learning and enjoy the problem solving!

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We are excited to announce the launch of ArchTam’s new Innovation + Digital microsite, a platform to interact with you — our clients and partners — to share innovative solutions, products, thought leadership and success stories from across our global business.

Innovation and digital transformation are essential to our culture at ArchTam. Across the globe, our talented teams are always working to improve infrastructure and create opportunities for everyone. Whether we are creating digital solutions to drive efficient design, innovating through modular construction, or helping the world address environmental contaminants like PFAS, we are at the forefront of change.

Our people are finding new and improved methods of working — with project collaboration moving to the cloud, remote teams are becoming the norm and our scale is emerging as a key differentiator for our company.

As we continue our digital journey, we are focused on three key areas of growth:

• Efficient and Automated Design and Construction captures how we apply technology to design better, build faster and collaborate virtually throughout the process.
• Data-driven Asset Management focuses on the infrastructure lifecycle, bringing digital tools and process innovations to how we assess, plan, deliver, operate and maintain the world in which we live.
• Data Management and Intelligence looks to unlock the value of data, capturing the scale of ArchTam’s global footprint and delivering valuable offerings for our clients across sectors.

We encourage you to fully explore our Innovation + Digital site. For a complete experience:

• Start by watching the video highlighting our global achievements at ArchTam.
• Read about how ArchTam and Google sponsored an exciting hackathon with our clients.
• Listen to Pete Flint discuss the future of offsite modular construction, hosted by James Banks on ArchTam’s Talking Infrastructure podcast. Then dive deeper, with insights from designer and author of “A Lead Designer’s Handbook” Dale Sinclair as he describes transforming the design process.
• Download our Digital Delivery Report for future reference and spend some time getting to know our global Digital and Innovation network, who are helping to deliver cutting edge solutions to projects across the world.

We encourage you to visit our new microsite to learn more about our digital journey, our offerings, how to reach us for more information and, ultimately, how we can best partner with you to deliver an innovative future.

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We asked our male leaders to share why International Women’s Day is important to them and how they’re contributing to celebrating women’s achievement and raising awareness against biases.

Dave Beddell – Inclusion & Diversity Lead and Strategy & Growth Director for UK&I
As our clients seek more innovative and sustainable solutions to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve, developing a diverse workforce becomes increasingly important. The first IWD event in 1911 was supported by more than a million people who came together to support a common goal of gender equality in what was a very different world than the one we live in today. In 2020, the IWD platform will reach people many more times that number. This year’s theme of #EachforEqual perfectly sums up the concept of allyship; it is about using the power of collective action and shared responsibility to drive positive change. It cannot and should not be women alone who push for gender equality. As a male leader in the industry, as a father and as a human being, I am proud to embrace my role as an ally in supporting equality, inclusion and diversity, both within ArchTam and society as a whole.

Jay Duncan – Senior Vice President, Americas, and Director of Transportation Planning

My mother taught me that capability rather than gender is the most important attribute for progressing in the workplace. As a nurse practitioner and certified physician’s assistant, she showed me that women are just as capable as men — and that biases do exist.

When I joined ArchTam, my manager and three of the six planners on our team were women. It was clear that ArchTam was a strong supporter of women in the workforce and it still is providing women with the same opportunities afforded to men and highlighting the value that women bring to our company, country and the world. Celebrating International Women’s Day is an important way to show this support.

I survey the room during meetings and industry events and at times see less than 5 percent of attendees are women. I am actively working to change this by volunteering to serve on ArchTam’s Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) coordinating committee, which works with women to help raise awareness, mentor and advance their industry standing. The tides are shifting, but being a woman in an engineering firm is still challenging. Organizations like WTS are taking proactive steps toward changing the landscape.

Karl Jensen – Executive Vice President, National Governments, Americas

International Women’s Day is important because the ability to share common goals and experiences to influence change is extremely valuable. I joined the U.S. Naval Academy 10 years after women were integrated. I assumed equity was normal. When I got out to the fleet, I realized there was still work to be done. I’m honored to have been in the company of the first wave of female aviators on aircraft carriers in 1994. I remember the ups and downs of the integration, but most of all, that those pioneers were brave and that our team was stronger with them aboard.

When I joined the private sector in 2002, I was surprised to discover how slowly positive progress was being made outside of the Navy. Since then, I have worked for two female CEOs and have increased the diversity of my teams with every position I have held. We should all accept the challenge to cultivate inclusion and diversity. We need more agents of change to achieve gender parity and I am thrilled to be part of the movement.

Billy Wong – Southeast Asia Regional Executive

The power of allyship begets the question: “Who and what is an ally?” To me, allies are people who advocate for others and provide an avenue for each other to build confidence, have share of voice and access to equal opportunities.

At ArchTam, our people display the spirit of allyship in actionable and concrete ways. I am so proud to be part of an organization whose leadership recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion and takes decisive strides in accelerating leadership opportunities for women. Our words and action are in sync. We ensure equal opportunities are given to competent colleagues, regardless of gender. Whether it is representation at the leadership levels or empowering colleagues who are in various life transitions to continue to stay in the workforce by introducing corporate policies such as flexible working arrangements, ArchTam is investing resources to support its people and make a difference to their lives.

In Southeast Asia, I am proud that we celebrate the achievements of all, regardless of gender. At a recent Singapore townhall, we recognized our top performing employees who are delivering transformative work to our clients. Of the six Quality Excellence Awards, five of them went to our female colleagues. It is also particularly inspiring that our two biggest markets, Singapore and Malaysia, are helmed and led by Jee Yi Yng and Ailee Loh, both outstanding and capable leaders. As country representatives, they are role models to our younger engineers and are now shaping the success of our business and operations in their respective markets.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is especially important that we continue to reward and celebrate the accomplishments of all. Equal opportunities will open doors for our best people to be recognized for their leadership and performance, and ensure excellence in everything we do.

Ed Cettina – Chief Operating Officer, Construction Management

As leaders, it is our job to be actively engaged in building a diverse and inclusive workforce. In the New York Metro region, I’m the executive sponsor and chair of a grassroots employee group, ArchTam Women’s Initiative Network (AWIN), that aims to connect all talent, men and women, through networking events and career development workshops. It has been a privilege to champion this group, guiding their vision and helping to obtain executive buy-in. Our ultimate goal is to have AWIN chapters in all our major metropolitan areas to support and empower the next generation.

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