Women in Construction: Carla Paul-Nagy

Carla Paul-Nagy
Sodexo / University Hospitals 
Construction Project Manager    
30+ years in the industry

Carla Paul-Nagy has more than 30 years of facilities construction and project management experience. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design from Kent State University and began practicing corporate design early in her career, utilizing her experience, and quickly transitioned into the construction industry as a project manager where she has worked with real estate developers covering various aspects of interior construction, corporate, retail, industrial, financial and most recently healthcare. In the early 2000s, Carla partnered with her husband, a general contractor and designed and managed various projects in the commercial sector. During that time she also contracted with a local architect as a designer for several years before accepting a position with KeyBank as a Facility Construction Manager, responsible for renovations of bank branches in the Great Lakes region. After joining University Hospitals Health Systems in 2015, she became part of the Sodexo team as a Construction Project Manager where her responsibilities include multiple capital construction projects including the development of new facilities, renovations and additions.

What brought or attracted you to the construction industry?  

I began my career with a degree in Interior Design. My first job out of college was with a design/furniture dealership. After a couple of years there I moved on to a commercial real estate developer where I provided floor plans for new clients. Soon I started working within the company’s construction department under the lead field superintendent. He took me under his lead and that’s when I decided that this was what I wanted to do.

What do you like most about your work?  

It’s definitely diverse. Every project is different and challenging in its own way. I’m always learning something new. Healthcare construction is definitely unique. I also enjoy the day to day interaction with the various client base. 

What would you like to see change within the construction industry? 

Even though there are more women in today’s industry, I feel there are still inequities. I would like to see this gap disappear.  

What are your long term career goals?  

I would like to continue working in healthcare in project management. I love what I do and I’m good at it. I like seeing projects develop from a concept to the finished product.

What advice would you give to other women interested in construction?  

Go for it! When I started out in this industry there were so fewer women than men, more so than now. I would get negative comments from male counterparts. It was hard but I kept pushing forward. There were a few men which I worked with that would encourage me and there were those that disapproved. I didn’t let it bother me.

Describe the kinds of opportunities in construction available to women?  

You have architecture, engineering, laborers, surveyors, education, and the list goes on…

What can be done to attract more women to construction?  

Educate, mentor, promote….