Inspiring the Next Generation: All-Female Team Presents on Science Wing Renovation

This week’s assembly was a powerful showcase of leadership, expertise, and the limitless career possibilities available to women. Students and faculty gathered in the David E. and Stacey L. Goel Theater to hear from the all-female team leading the upcoming renovation of the Winsor’s science wing. With members from project management firm Leggat McCall Properties, architectural firm Goody Clancy, and construction experts Consigli Construction, the team behind the transformation shared their professional journeys across decades of experience, offering insight into their careers and what led them to the work they do today.

Leggat McCall’s senior project manager and owners representative, Kate Martucci, described her role overseeing all aspects of the project from start to finish. From planning and design to construction; furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E); transition planning; scheduling; and budget; Ms. Martucci will manage the project through Winsor’s eventual occupancy of the space. She shared with the assembled students and faculty her excitement about this project, her first with an all-female team.

Goody Clancy’s principal-in-charge, Lisa Ferreira, followed Ms. Martucci, showing static and video renderings of what the space will look like once the project is complete, eliciting audible excitement from the students in attendance. Ms. Ferreira described her role in overseeing programming and design, as well as her accountability for all aspects of design coordination. 

Goody Clancy’s project architect and manager, Elyse King, described how she leads the design team, closely coordinating with the project engineers. With a focus on science and technology, Ms. King shared how she enjoys developing plans from blank spaces, considering where fumes will go and how different teaching styles may impact use of spaces, and incorporating feedback from teachers about how the spaces look and feel. 

Consigli’s director and project executive Jody Staruk is accountable for the overall project goals and success. Ms. Staruk shared a few inspiring firsts from her career with students: her promotion in 2017 to become Consigli’s first-ever female project executive, and her recent completion of the YWCA of Central Massachusetts’ facility renovation in Worcester, where she led Consigli’s first all-female team. Reflecting on her career, she explained how early on, she was introduced to the idea of women in the construction industry, something she had never previously considered. On the advice of an advisor in college, she set her sights in that direction, and described it “the best thing that ever happened” to her. She expressed her hope that today’s presentation might inspire some Winsor students to consider a similar career path.

Consigli’s project manager, Kelsey Holt, will oversee all aspects of construction from start to finish, including time, budget, and quality control. Her time at Consigli has shifted her experience as a woman in the field; previously, she often found she was the only woman in the room. She emphasized her excitement about the opportunity to work with such a talented group of women on the Winsor project. 

Consigli’s assistant project manager, Megan Collins, will plan, direct, and manage document control, material delivery, and aid in the change-management process at Winsor, coordinating between the architect, the design team, and the subcontractors to ensure the project’s success. With an undergraduate degree in architecture, Ms. Collins intended to follow it with a master’s. But an internship in architecture quickly showed it wasn’t what she wanted. A friend at Consigli reached out and suggested project management, and she saw an appealing path forward. She loves guiding customers through the steps of the design process. 

Finally, Consigli’s project superintendent, Kelley Townley, shared her role in overseeing the overall project schedule, including logistics, quality, and safety. Ms. Townley will take all of the information and share it with the teams who will execute the physical work. Educated as a structural engineer, she also majored in environmental studies, and incorporates that expertise into her work at Consigli. 

Following the presentation, students had the opportunity to ask questions. They wanted to know what would happen to Wally, the leopard gecko in Ms. Ramos’s classroom, and were assured he will be fine. They inquired about timelines and decorations, Class IV lockers—they’ll be relocated to the Multipurpose Room—the process of planning a renovation of this scale, and the total number of people involved in pulling it off. Near the end, a student asked about sustainability, which brought cheers from her peers. 

Goody Clancy’s Ms. Ferreira shared how in an interior renovation, it’s important to ensure that products and materials do not include anything harmful to human health—items found on what is known as the “Red List.” She explained that all materials in the breathable space at Winsor will be Red-List free. 

Consigli’s Ms. Townley followed up from the construction perspective, sharing how important it is to consider how spaces will be used. She explained, “You may make something super ‘green,’ but if no one uses it properly, then it’s not doing anything for the environment.” She went on to highlight the many ways Consigli works to limit waste—strategically removing or adding things and only bringing the necessary materials to the site—and reinforced the importance of proper use of spaces to limit environmental impact. 

As Winsor prepares for this exciting transformation, the assembly was a fitting reminder that the future of science, technology, engineering, and math is in good hands—and that Winsor students have a critical role to play in shaping it. In fact, as many as four Winsor students will be involved in the project as part of their Independent Learning Experience (ILE) projects this spring. 

During spring break, additional “behind the walls” work will be done on campus. In May, the visible work will begin. Stay tuned for updates on the project as this dynamic team brings our vision for an enhanced science wing to life, ensuring that our students have the resources they need to learn and thrive at Winsor.

The full renovation will include 21st-century pedagogical flexibility; improved accessibility; and upgraded utilities, storage and HVAC. Click here to learn more about the project.