Ashley Scannello

From Lego building in Long Island to multi-million dollar construction in Manhattan, Ashley has had a passion for the industry all her life. Having developed a successful career as a project manager, Ashley is a champion of industry innovation - striving to maximize efficiency for Mace projects.

How did you get into what you do?

Looking back I guess I was destined to work in construction. As a child I loved building things with Lego and K’NEX sets, then when I went to high school I discovered that I was pretty good at maths and physics. I was originally interested in engineering and didn’t even know what construction management was until my mentor recommended it. It sounded perfect so I studied construction management engineering technology at Farmingdale State College in New York and haven’t looked back. I feel lucky to have figured things out so quickly.

My first job was as a project engineer with one of the largest construction management companies in the US before I joined Mace in 2015 as a project manager.

What made you move to Mace?

I considered Mace because a family friend had been recommending it for some time; I joined because I could see that Mace was on the leading edge of changing the industry. I wanted to be at the forefront of making construction more efficient, and I could see that Mace encourages its people to be innovative and to take a collaborative approach to projects.

What do you enjoy most about working at Mace?

For me, it's the entrepreneurial spirit, buzz and good energy, and the opportunities I’ve been given. I’ve worked across retail, pharmaceutical and commercial/interiors which has taught me a lot along the way.

What’s your proudest achievement at Mace?

It’s definitely working on the new brand experience centre at Cadillac's headquarters in New York. I hadn’t delivered a project of that scale before and there were incredibly high expectations for the end result. I'm grateful for the opportunity and the faith that Mace and my line manager had in my capabilities even when I doubted myself.

What’s the best career advice you’ve been given?

When I first started in the industry, I had a mentor who told me three things: be yourself, be true to yourself and treat others how you want to be treated. I always try to keep that in mind in my relationships with people I work with. 

What do you see as the big trend for your specialism in the next five years?

There's a big trend in collaboration - working with contractors and project managers and engaging with the architect and engineer to get buy-in rather than taking a top-down approach. I also see a growing trend in the industry’s commitment to sustainability. I’m really passionate about it and would love to see a green roof on every building in New York one day. 

What are you passionate about outside of work?

I’m a New Yorker through and through. I grew up in Long Island and love the opportunities that Manhattan offers, but my passion is hiking, and for that, I have to leave the city. Most of the time I head to the Adirondacks, but I’ve hiked to Machu Picchu and have just planned a hiking trip to South Africa. It’s a great excuse to visit new places and a really good way to unwind.