An Interview with Amie Forte McLaughlin, Enterprise Project Management Scheduler at Consumers Energy

Brought to you by the AACE Women in Project Controls Committee

About Amie Forte McLaughlin

From summers spent helping her father’s catering business or interning at General Motors, to leading project schedules at major organizations, Amie Forte McLaughlin has built her career on persistence, adaptability, and a love of numbers. She holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in materials logistics management and supply chain management from Michigan State University.

Currently serving as an enterprise project management scheduler at Consumers Energy, Amie is recognized for her ability to implement effective project controls, harness new technologies such as Power BI, and bring structure and clarity to complex projects. Her journey reflects both the challenges and rewards of a career defined by growth, curiosity, and a passion for elevating the discipline of project controls.

What inspired you to pursue a career in project controls?

I’ve always been drawn to numbers and organization. Early in my career at General Motors, I was a scheduler and quickly discovered that the work didn’t feel like “work.” Even though I’ve worn many different hats in my career, planning and scheduling tasks have always been present in my work. I appreciate being able to bring structure and logic to complex projects and provide value by helping teams manage a capital or portfolio project from start to finish. I enjoy studying trends, analyzing risk, and providing technical metrics to help stakeholders make informed decisions. When the opportunity to return full-time as a scheduler came about five years ago, I knew it was exactly where I wanted to be.

Tell us about your early life and the experiences that shaped you.

I was born and raised in Michigan on a small lake. My family didn’t have much growing up, but my brother and I never really knew we were poor. Summers were spent playing in the water or riding bikes in the woods, and winters were filled with building forts and having snowball fights.

My father was an entrepreneur who owned a restaurant and later built a successful catering business. Many of our dinner-table conversations centered on business strategy, growth, and managing money. My mom managed the books and payroll, while my brother and I folded napkins or stuffed envelopes as kids. Later, we worked summers washing dishes and serving at large events. That upbringing gave me a deep appreciation for work ethic and financial discipline — lessons I’ve carried into my professional life.

What have been some of your most meaningful accomplishments?

I’ve been fortunate to work across industries including automotive, non-profit, construction, and now utilities. Earning certifications as a PMP and as an AACE PSP are personal milestones that I’m proud of. At the non-profit where I worked for 9 years, I wrote and secured numerous grants and helped take over the American Cancer Society’s pediatric camps in California — experiences I’m proud to say gave children with cancer a chance to smile and escape their daily reality.

More recently, I was given just a few weeks to learn Power Query in Excel to support a client’s project-scheduling reports after a colleague left. It was overwhelming at first, but the experience ultimately opened my eyes to key project metrics and data analytics. That challenge motivated me to pursue Power BI, which I now use to tell project stories through visualizations — making project data accessible even to those who aren’t “numbers people.”

Who have been the most influential mentors in your career?

I’ve been fortunate to have many. My parents remain my first inspiration, showing me what hard work and persistence can achieve. I’m grateful for all colleagues and managers throughout my career who believed in me, challenged me, and helped me grow into my role as a project controls professional.

What has your experience with AACE been like?

Attending my first AACE Annual Conference in 2024 was transformative. To be surrounded by like-minded professionals who share the same passion felt like home. I learned that the project challenges I face are universal — and hearing solutions from others gave me fresh perspectives to bring back to my teams.

Beyond conferences, AACE has provided me with a library of Recommended Practices, webinars, and a mentorship program, all of which have been invaluable. For example, when tackling cost integration in a schedule, I was able to reach out to AACE for mentorship guidance. That kind of support is what makes AACE so impactful. Seeing how AACE is the gold standard for best industry practices for project controls, it seems someone whose career relates to project controls would be remiss to not get involved with AACE in some capacity.

What is your perspective on the role of women in project controls?

Women are a huge asset to this field. We often carry an empathetic perspective and a unique set of communication skills. Projects and people can be complex, and our ability to stay organized, solve problems, and balance competing priorities makes us strong contributors. I believe those strengths allow women to add both value and balance to project teams.

Any words of inspiration for those entering the field?

Work hard, stay curious, ask questions, remain open to challenges, and never stop learning. One quote that motivates me daily is from Zig Ziglar:
“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”