I’m currently working as a Project Manager at Haugland Virgin Islands, having begun my journey with the company as a Project Engineer three years ago. I’m involved in both office and field operations, overseeing electrical and civil projects. I’m comfortable performing many job functions and stepping out of my comfort zone. My responsibilities range from procuring materials and ensuring field staff have the necessary resources for their tasks, to adhering to project timelines, meeting client demands and managing budgets. At first it was a little intimidating being a female in a male-dominated field, but I quickly became assertive in my role and have since learned to love the empowerment I have and the confidence my co-workers have in me.

My early education had an influence on the career path I would ultimately take. As far as I can remember, I always liked math and science. Growing up in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, a teacher from my elementary school encouraged my curiosity and nurtured my interest in these subjects. It led me to my interest in problem solving and physics, ultimately pointing me toward engineering. My academic journey began at the University of the Virgin Islands, where I pursued a degree in Mathematics. Subsequently, I transferred to Columbia University in NYC to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering.  After college I returned to the USVI and was hired by a private disaster recovery company, contracted out by the local government. I worked as a Project Manager on the residential side of the business versus the utilities side.

I’ve seen tremendous growth and expansion of HVI and our impact on the islands. Motivated by my career development, I recently finished a master’s degree in engineering management at the University of Central Florida. I wake up each day with something new on my mind, proud to put my engineering skills to work. While the coordination and planning that goes into project management is fun and exciting, to me, the most rewarding part of my job is seeing the results at the end of the day. I take pride in making a positive impact and enhancing the daily lives of our residents. The journey so far has been rewarding, and I’m excited about the future.