What inspired you to pursue a career in the built environment?

Growing up in Aurangabad, India, I was fascinated by buildings – their forms, structures, and stories. I’d travel with my family to cities like Delhi and Mumbai, captivated by the British-era architecture and the contrast with modern designs. I also loved to draw, which led me to do my undergrad in architecture in Pune. During internships and early project visits, I was drawn more to the construction process than the design phase. That curiosity led me to Texas A&M, where I earned a master’s in construction management and a business minor certification. It’s where I was first introduced to project controls and realized it perfectly blended my creative background with my love of numbers.

Tell us about your early career experiences and how they influenced your professional foundation.

After graduating, I joined Bechtel and was placed on a large Chevron oil & gas program in Pascagoula, Mississippi. It was my first full-time role in the U.S., and I was the only woman in project controls across a 50-person site team. That experience was transformative. I was embedded on-site, working directly with trades, engineers, and schedulers, handling cost tracking and earned value management. It taught me firsthand the importance of integrated controls and field execution. It also taught me to hold my ground, collaborate across roles, and build trust in a male-dominated environment.

You’ve worked across a wide range of sectors. How has that shaped your career in project controls?

I’ve been fortunate to work across oil & gas, telecom, commercial real estate, aviation, and data centers. I’ve learned that while the project types differ, the fundamentals of project controls remain the same for its structure, discipline, foresight, and stakeholder alignment. Each transition helped me sharpen different skills from process implementation to client management to strategic program planning. That range has helped me stay agile and given me the confidence to take on leadership roles, even in unfamiliar territory.

What accomplishments stand out as defining moments in your journey?

There are a few that stand out. Leading the implementation of Unifier at the University of California, San Francisco was a significant career milestone, designing scalable project controls workflows for a high-performing capital program. Another was leading cost planning for the $8.5B+ Terminal Area Program at Chicago O’Hare Airport, which involved coordinating with globally recognized architects and multiple public stakeholders. More recently, my work at Google has been both challenging and rewarding – managing global capital for data center programs and driving strategic improvements in cost governance and scalability.

Who helped guide your growth as a professional leader?

I’ve had two mentors who truly shaped me. Todd Frey at Bechtel taught me the fundamentals. He was patient and methodical and always encouraged me to think through problems.

David McNamara, whom I worked with for over a decade in aviation, helped me grow as a leader. He gave me space in high-stakes meetings, coached me through conflict resolution, and modeled the kind of trust-based leadership I now try to pass on to others.

Please share your perspective on the role of women in project controls.

Women bring incredible strengths to project controls – empathy, foresight, multitasking, and a natural ability to manage complexity. We often juggle many roles in life, which translates well into managing people, scope, and project priorities. I’ve also learned that visibility matters. I have two daughters, and I want them to see what’s possible when women lead competently and compassionately.

How has your involvement with AACE added value to your professional journey?

AACE has been a fantastic resource. I regularly use the Recommended Practices and have contributed to the community through peer reviews and writing. It’s a global network of professionals that fosters high standards, knowledge sharing, and mentorship. As I’ve grown into more strategic roles, being part of a professional body like AACE has helped me stay grounded in best practices while connecting with others equally passionate about elevating the discipline.

Any advice for young professionals navigating their project controls careers?

Stay curious. Don’t be afraid to change direction. Your skills are more transferable than you realize. Bring ideas, not just problems. And remember, progress is rarely linear – embrace the pivots and let each experience teach you something. You never know where your journey will lead, but every step is part of building something bigger – yourself.