Name and Company: Anita Sheckells, KatzAbosch
Title: Director
Years in the industry: 35
What made you want to join the construction industry?
I worked as the outside CPA for a couple of construction companies early in my career. I enjoyed the people, as well as the challenging aspects of the work from an accounting and contractor side. I liked visiting job sites and seeing the projects at completion. As a director at my accounting and business consulting firm, KatzAbosch, it has been an exciting journey to have the opportunity to help build the construction department into a niche that represents 20% of the volume of our firm.
What does being a woman in construction mean to you?
It means being an advocate. I handle my profession for what it is — my profession. I’ve never dwelled on the fact that I’m a woman doing the work. I think this approach is primarily what has taken me so far in male-dominated industries (both construction and accounting). I have seen many positive changes in the industry over the years. Initially there were only a handful of women in the industry and now the industry is well represented by women. I am proud to have many of those women as my friends and clients. Our achievements support the greater job of telling the story of all the opportunities that exist in this industry.
How can you help educate young women that may be considering entering the industry or that don’t know about opportunities in the industry?
Participating on the Women in ABC Committee is a great way for women to meet other women in the industry as well as learn more about the industry. As a member of the Women in ABC Committee, I participated in the Professional Careers Day to educate high school girls about careers in construction. In addition, whenever I speak to young women about their goals for a career, I bring up the many opportunities that are available in construction.