Field to Office: High-Rise Management and Inclusive Leadership
Project manager and coach Irene Walsh-Garcia joins Natasha Ozybko to discuss her 25-year journey from electrician to managing 60-story high-rises and how to bridge the "field to office" gap.
In this thirtieth episode of Conversations with MOXY, host Natasha Ozybko sits down with Irene Walsh-Garcia, a 25-year construction industry veteran, electrical project manager, and career coach. The discussion explores Irene’s non-traditional path from criminal justice major to managing high-rise projects, the importance of "sponsorship" over simple mentorship, and how the industry must evolve to support the biological and logistical realities of families.
From the Tools to the C-Suite
Irene’s entry into construction was unexpected. After earning a degree in criminal justice and realizing it wasn't her calling, she followed her sister into an electrical apprenticeship in Chicago. She laid her field foundation spending six years as a field electrician before transitioning into the office. Only one year after becoming a junior estimator, Irene was tasked with managing a 60-story high-rise project—a massive undertaking she navigated successfully despite feeling initially overwhelmed. Irene goes on to emphasize that women often self-select out of leadership because they don't see themselves represented or realize that field experience is a fast-track to project management.
The Shift to Human-Centric Leadership
A central theme of the episode is the need for the construction industry to move away from "brute force" management toward a more sustainable, inclusive model. Irene credits a general foreman who saw her potential and challenged her to move into management, proving that technical respect is built through challenging assignments. She sees a big opportunity in reforming site logistics and she advocates for basic accommodations that are often overlooked, such as clean bathrooms, private places for nursing mothers to pump, and flexible start times that align with modern daycare realities. She also emphasis the importance of communication as a foundation and compares project management to marriage counseling, noting that most failures stem from poor communication. She encourages leaders to reframe problems as opportunities rather than getting "stuck in the problem".
Coaching the "Field to Office" Transition
Irene now uses her experience to coach other women through her program, Successful Women in Construction.
The Confidence Gap She helps women overcome imposter syndrome, noting that many veteran men in the room are also "figuring it out" as they go.
Positioning for Success Her coaching focuses on helping women position themselves for promotions and raises by emphasizing their unique cognitive and technical strengths.
Conclusion: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities
Irene concludes by reminding women that they are far more capable than they realize. She urges industry leaders to recognize that a "rising tide lifts all boats"—policies that support women and families ultimately create a more loyal, efficient, and profitable workforce for everyone.