Building Hope: How a Women-led Project Team Delivered a Future for the YWCA and Their Community
Deborah Fennick, Fennick McCredie Architecture
Janice Narowski, Consigli
Katy O’Donohoe, Fennick McCredie Architecture
Jody Staruk, Consigli
Sponsored by
Do you want to be inspired and energized by the impact women can make on construction projects? Come join Fennick McCredie Architecture and Consigli Construction Co., Inc. to learn how they broke the mold with a completely women-led team that delivered a project for a client who is known for empowering women. This panel discussion will focus on the YWCA of Central Massachusetts renovation project, a $17M full building renovation completed in December 2020. Aligning with the YWCA’s commitment to eliminating racism and empowering women through leadership, services and support, this effort was led by amazing women from the YWCA, Fennick McCredie Architecture (an SDO Certified WBE), the OPM Anser Advisory, and the construction leadership team at Consigli.
The renovation provided much-needed upgrades and improvements to the facility, which serves as a community center, gym and shelter for women and children who are survivors of domestic violence and provides critical resources and programming for local families. The presenters will share how they collaborated effectively to create schedules and strategies that ensured their work to update the building’s lobby, pool, fitness areas, classrooms, childcare spaces and playground, boardroom, and transitional housing units was minimally invasive and that shelter residents were not disrupted or displaced. This team kept the mission of the client in mind throughout the project. Their empathy and compassion differentiated their approach and demonstrates how women-led teams can create a competitive advantage.
About Deborah
As co-founder and design principal of Fennick McCredie Architecture, Deborah Fennick, AIA, LEED AP, provides design leadership on all projects of the practice. Fennick is guided by the belief that great architecture is derived from a context defined by the many diverse people who will ultimately use, work and engage a space. Focusing on architecture of the public realm and civic infrastructure, her built work includes a range of cultural, transportation, educational, and ‘non-building’ projects developed through a multidisciplinary collaboration of designers, artists, engineers, and contractors.
About Janice
Janice Narowski has two decades of wide-ranging experience at Consigli, and has proven
herself a highly valuable team member, mentor and leader. She has successfully helped lead
projects in healthcare, life sciences, higher education and cultural markets, and has a proven track record of excellence in the construction industry. Outside of her role as Superintendent, Narowski is actively involved in the mentoring and development of young industry professionals and is passionate about building the next generation of women in construction.
About Katy
Katy O’Donohoe, AIA, is an Associate at Fennick McCredie Architecture, with over ten years of experience in recreational, aviation, academic, residential, workplace, and hospitality design. O’Donohoe was a Project Architect on the YWCA of Central Massachusetts Renovation, contributing to new programming, facilities, grant compliance, interior finishes, and site enhancements to 74,000 SF, five-story historic YWCA building in Worcester.
About Jody
Jody Staruk is an integral part of Consigli, rising from Project Engineer to the company’s first female Project Executive in 2017. With over two decades of dedicated service, she has been instrumental in shaping and improving departmental operations and enhancing project efficiency. Staruk oversees a wide spectrum of projects, both public and private, from fast-track renovations to new buildings. In her role as Project Executive, she works with all project stakeholders to gain a complete understanding of project requirements and expectations to develop a construction management approach that will ensure success.