Erland / Celebrating Women in Construction (WIC) Week

This week, March 6-12, is Women in Construction (WIC) Week! The focus of WIC Week is to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry. WIC Week also provides an occasion to raise awareness of the job opportunities available to and emphasize the growing role of women in this field. We recently asked our female employees a series of questions to highlight what it’s like to be a woman working in the male-dominated construction industry. Check out each of their powerful responses below!

Melissa Craft / Project Administrator
Q: How have you grown in your career since joining Erland?
A: Since starting at Erland, I have taken ownership of more jobs in my role as Project Administrator. I am currently working on a dozen jobs and that list continues to grow! I also have a better understanding of what goes into completing a project from start to finish.

Eileen DiMartino / HR Generalist
Q: Who are three women – living or dead – that you would like to have drinks with and why?
A: There are many women, living or passed, who I would love to sit and “break bread with”, but these are the three women who instantly came to my mind: 

1. My maternal grandmother
2. My paternal grandmother
3. Betty White

My siblings and I were not fortunate enough to personally know any of our grandparents. We all felt that we missed out on a big part of our childhood for that reason. It is something we yearned for. I would love to physically see both my grandmothers with my own eyes, hear their voices, touch their skin, learn our family genealogy through their stories, memories, and words.  

I would also love to sit down with Betty White and share a martini, a glass of wine, or whatever drink of choice she would prefer! After these last few years, I know that I need some laughter and light in my life! Betty embodied both those qualities. She was smart, strong, fearless, an avid animal lover, and she loved to laugh. It appears that she enjoyed her life to the fullest (the good and bad times). We could all be a little more like Betty!

Bernadette Flaherty / IT Manager
Q: How have you grown in your career since joining Erland?
A: I started at Erland as a Front Desk Coordinator and shortly thereafter I became an Administrative Assistant. Quickly learning the ropes and figuring out the technology needs of the company, this role transformed into becoming Erland’s new IT Manager. I’ve been in this position for 20 years now and Erland has supported me every step of the way. Assisting with the company’s operations by ensuring our technology is running properly and remains up-to-date can be challenging but it’s rewarding to know that I’m contributing to Erland’s overall success. 

Pat Gorman / Accounting Administrator
Q: Who are three women – living or dead – that you would like to have drinks with and why?
A: I would want to have a drink with my Grandma (YOB 1905), Nana (YOB 1898), and Mother (YOB 1931) mainly because they all had passed away by the time I was 24. It would be nice to just sit and talk about life; how some things have changed for women and how other things haven’t. As time has gone on without them, I feel like I’ve missed out on so much. Their perspective would mean a lot to me.

Nicole Harrison / Content Director
Q: What are you doing differently in 2022 that has had a positive impact on your career?
A: I recently joined the Boston chapter of Professional Women in Construction. Being a member has already had an immensely positive impact on my career. I’ve been able to connect with other women in the industry and become part of a greater community where we share our professional challenges and aspirations and continuously support one another. If you’re not a member, I highly recommend joining!

Jaclyn Hazlett / Assistant Project Manager
Q: How have you grown in your career since joining Erland?
A: I have grown in my career since joining Erland by expanding my knowledge in construction and project management. Most of my growth has come from the opportunities the company offers to strengthen one’s skills. I started as a Front Desk Coordinator then moved into a Project Administrator role where I found an interest in my most recent position as Assistant Project Manager. I recently obtained my Project Management Professional Certificate from Wentworth Institute of Technology which I’m incredibly proud of. I look forward to continuing my education and growing further in my project management career.

Mary Leahy / Senior Project Manager
Q: What was your greatest professional achievement or most recent notable project?
A: My greatest professional achievement and most recent notable project was The Emery—a 371K SF 5-story high-end apartment building for Roseland Residential because it was completed during the height of COVID-19. With residential construction allowed to continue, Erland had to implement new protocols and procedures and follow the local, state, OSHA, and CDC guidelines to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19. I think our team’s proudest moment came in the form of a commendation letter from the City of Malden’s Building Commissioner recognizing us for our proactive safety measures. Something we’ll never forget!

Teresa Maio / Accounts Payable Manager
Q: Who are three women – living or dead – that you would like to have drinks with and why?
A: 1. My mom as she was the person that inspired me to get into accounting. She was a bookkeeper for many years and when she would bring work home, I loved to watch her adding numbers on the adding machine. I was fascinated at her knowledge!

2. My sisters because we are so close and have such a good time together! We love to go out to dinner and a movie or shopping and lunch. We’re a fun bunch!

3. Audrey Hepburn because she was an incredible woman who was so selfless in her life. Not only was she an incredible actress (loved her in My Fair Lady, Sabrina, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s) but she was also role model when it came to philanthropy. She was always willing to help those in need and that’s something that I relate to deeply!

Nancy Martin / VP, Director of Human Resources
Q: Who are three women – living or dead – that you would like to have drinks with and why?
A: 1. My mother. I have so many questions that I wished I had asked her. I think it is because I have a different perspective now. She was very strong and resilient and never afraid to take on a project.

2. My grandmother. We would have to have tea because she did not drink. I would like to ask more about her childhood and what it was like raising 14 children, working, and remaining strong during so many hardships.

3. Stevie Nicks. I would love to hear her stories and what keeps her going!

Danielle Parisi / Creative Director
Q: How have you grown in your career since joining Erland?
A: When I joined Erland 10 years ago, I came on as a Graphics Coordinator in the Marketing Department. In that time, my title has evolved to Creative Director and I now serve as co-director of the Marketing Department. I am fortunate to work for a company like Erland that supports women in the construction industry and gives us the confidence to excel and succeed in our career.

Kristen Stachowski / Office Manager
Q: What were your biggest fears when you started out in your profession?
A: I came to Erland with a background in Property Management. I didn’t have any construction-related experience prior to joining the company. My fear was having to learn a whole new industry while taking on a position that was not entry-level. This idea of “not knowing enough” pushed me to show what I could bring to the table and how me being in this position would benefit the company. Erland made it easy to learn and grow. The company’s culture of collaboration and endless support provided me the opportunity to be successful. Now I am part of helping minimize those fears for people just starting out in the industry. It’s a great full-circle moment!

Laurie Webber / Assistant Director of Safety
Q: How have you grown in your career since joining Erland?
A: I started working at Erland in September of 2000 as one of the Front Desk Coordinators. After a few months, I was looking for more challenges and began helping HR with various tasks. Shortly thereafter, I moved into the position of Payroll Coordinator. Being in this role really helped me see how employees contribute to the company. I was then asked to join Erland’s Safety Committee. I started attending meetings, going on jobsite visits, and participating in various trainings. My love for everything safety began to flourish. HR and Safety have many common denominators, and so when the opportunity presented itself to become the Assistant Director of Safety, I happily obliged! Over the years this role has developed into helping to update and create new safety programs, assist with JHA’s, training employees, and most recently tracking COVID-19 related-items on all our jobsites. 22 years at Erland is a long time but having so many people believe in me and recognize my work ethic along the way has made it seem like only a quick minute has passed by. I am grateful for all the support and opportunities I have been given throughout my career at here and look forward to another 22!

Hats off to our Women in Construction! To see how all our female employees celebrated this week, click here!