Women in Engineering Spotlight: Heather McGuire

By: Claire Sauer

ADB’s Engineering Team is full of intelligent and talented team members who help take our projects to the next level and provide our customers with a world-class final product. Heather McGuire, Quality Manager, works very closely with the construction team to ensure that engineering drawings are accurate for construction to begin. This collaboration and teamwork directly contributes to ADB’s growth and success.

Since joining the ADB family, Heather has felt most empowered in her work through results. She feels very accomplished when tasks and responsibilities are completed and benefit her partners. Being a part of the Engineering and Construction side of a build allows her to see the design on paper come to life. She has also enjoyed working and growing with her team.

“From the start, I have felt very comfortable here. Everyone has been extremely helpful in making sure you have all you need to do your best. In addition to the people, there are great resources available to help you begin down any path.”

Heather received her degree in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Telecommunications. With family members who have worked in Engineering, joining the industry was a natural fit for her. However, it did present the challenge of working in a a male-dominated industry. Heather has enjoyed working in this industry and rather than seeing it as male-dominated, she sees it as an industry full of hard workers. In her experience, everyone has been respectful and with shared goals of success and exceeding expectations, everyone works well together has a strong team. If she could give one piece of advice to a woman starting out in the industry, it would be:

“Treat others as you want to be treated. Kindness and professionalism are contagious. Have confidence because once others see that you are capable and comfortable with your job, you will be valued on skill and contribution rather than on being a female.”

When Heather thinks about her future, she sees a bright future with ADB. There are so many great things happening in the industry and she is excited to be a part of them. Heather would also like to continue to make an impact for her partners and team members. Throughout her career in engineering and construction, Heather has learned a lot of valuable lessons. Her three most important lessons are:

1. If you have an idea, share it. You never know where it may lead you. Don’t be intimidated or afraid to speak up and be a team player.

2. Some personalities will not mesh with yours and that’s ok. Nothing is personal and not every single person you work with will be your best friend.

3. Kindness and patience will take you further than you could ever guess. Nobody is perfect and mistakes are how we all fail forward, learn, and improve.

Heather, thank you for your innovative solutions and dedication to exceeding expectations. We are lucky to have you on our team and we can’t wait to watch you grow and succeed!