Associate Director, Consultancy, Ireland
My mother was building our home from the ground up and I already liked technical drawing, art, physics, and maths. This all pointed me towards architecture.
I went on to do an undergraduate degree in architecture, but I couldn't quite connect with the industry’s shift towards more computer-based work. This drove me to a Masters degree in Construction Project Management. While studying, I also worked part-time for a small fitout and refurbishment contractor and, together, these influences set me on my career path.
I find big infrastructure programmes both exciting and challenging. In all of my roles, I’ve always looked to build knowledge and push myself and I’m getting to do just that working in a new sector and with a new team. I’m also now responsible for bringing less experienced team members on the journey with me, helping them to understand the processes in place and how to best support the client. Working with Mace, I’ve had the opportunity to work all over the world, but it feels especially rewarding to be doing all of this in my home country because I know just how big of an impact infrastructure can have. We’re going to need infrastructure forever and just knowing the massive impact that it has all over the world, and on the future growth of Ireland, is a real driver for me.
I’d definitely like to be a leading influencer within the Irish market; someone that is working collaboratively and challenging the norm to deliver in a better way. If we can get the industry thinking differently, we can influence the change that’s needed to realise the ambition of Project Ireland 2040.
I think Ireland has so much to offer and I don’t think that’s celebrated enough so I’d like to challenge that. There is also a lot of support needed when it comes to encouraging female and diverse talent within our industries, and in particular Ireland, and I’d like to be a part of that change to a more diverse talent pool that welcomes wider and different perspectives.
I'd have liked to do something that involved helping young people develop in whatever path they wish to take. In construction you get a lot of satisfaction from delivering projects that support the communities, but I think I would have also enjoyed working closely with younger generations, mentoring and coaching them with the lessons I have learned in my own career journey.