SAN DIEGO—In some regions of the country, such as the Bay Area, it's not unusual to have women in senior development and construction roles, BNBuilders' Alessandra Lapadula tells GlobeSt.com. Lapadula recently joined the firm's San Diego office as senior project manager, bring extensive experience managing multiple complex construction projects simultaneously. BNBuilders is doubling operations in San Diego this year building projects in the biotech, life-science and healthcare industries. We spoke with Lapadula exclusively about her new role, the secrets of managing multiple construction projects simultaneously and what's it's like to be a woman in a male-dominated field.

GlobeSt.com: What are you most looking forward to in your new role with BNBuilders?

Lapadula: I enjoy being part of a growing company that embraces a collaborative approach to construction. We are working to build something that everyone is happy with: the client, the end user, the community, etc. It's fun to a part of that process and to help develop a project, along with the company. At BNBuilders, we can take a clear path and refine it because we are still growing and expanding.

GlobeSt.com: What are the secrets to managing multiple construction projects simultaneously?

Lapadula: The average sized project that I work on ranges from $50 million to $100 million, which does not lend itself to working on simultaneous projects. When I do work on multiple projects, it's because one is gearing up while the other is wrapping up. When the project demands it, I am singularly focused on getting the job done. The key is to have a clear understanding of the path to completion and critical items, while making sure all expectations are met.

GlobeSt.com: What it is like to be a female construction leader in a male-dominated field?

Lapadula: It's funny because I hear that a lot. When I started in college, it was a predominantly a male-dominated field, but I really feel like if you are engaged and work hard, the experience is no different for a man or woman. The regions that I've worked in, like the Bay Area, it's not usual to have women in senior development and construction roles. The key is really learning how to work with people in general, not so much men or women.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about your new position?

Lapadula: Our client, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, constructs innovative buildings where state-of-the-art science takes place. Being a part of these types of projects is something I genuinely love. Watching the development of San Diego's life-science hub is exciting. I'm privileged to work with such a highly desirable client as Alexandria Real Estate Equities. Creating a place where people want to work is most rewarding.

GlobeSt.com: What are you most looking forward to in your new role with BNBuilders?

GlobeSt.com: What are the secrets to managing multiple construction projects simultaneously?

GlobeSt.com: What it is like to be a female construction leader in a male-dominated field?

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about your new position?

Instant Insights /

How Rare Are Female Construction Leaders?

Related Stories

Recommended For You