Due Diligence: Getting to Know Deanna Connell
Our next “Due Diligence: Getting To Know…” employee spotlight is on: Associate Project Manager Deanna Connell in New York.
Macro: What do you love most about your work?
Deanna: Hi, I’m Deanna Connell, an Associate Project Manager at Macro! I earned my Chemical Engineering degree from Manhattan College in 2021 and kicked off my career at Macro as a Project Coordinator. Over the last 2.5 years, I’ve been working on a major construction project in downtown Manhattan, gaining invaluable insights into the industry and the intricate details of the construction processes. Beyond work, my passion lies in exploring diverse cultures and customs through travel. Excitingly, my next trip is with my three sisters to hike the mountains of Machu Picchu and explore the Inca Empire’s ruins.
Macro: What do you love most about your work or working for Macro?
Deanna: What I love most about working at Macro is my incredible project team. Surrounded by dedicated, supportive, and generous colleagues, I find inspiration in their commitment to project success and continuous learning. This has been extremely important for my career, especially having come from a non-construction background. I am constantly impressed by the enthusiasm that my team demonstrates every day.
Macro: What is your favorite part of the project life cycle, and why?
Deanna: The mobilization phase has been my favorite so far. Witnessing the convergence of design, procurement, and construction management planning when the first trades arrive on site is exciting..
Macro: What is the one thing you couldn’t make it through the day without?
Deanna: My project team is my lifeline throughout the day. Constant communication—whether for project updates, support, or a good laugh—keeps us connected.
Macro: What are your tried-and-true “work hacks”?
Deanna: Overcommunication is my go-to work hack! Maintaining clear communication with teammates, clients, and consultants ensures alignment on roles, responsibilities, and expectations. The 5-minute rule is another favorite, emphasizing the immediate completion of quick tasks for enhanced efficiency and multitasking.
Macro: What hard and soft skills do you lean on most in your day-to-day work?
Deanna: The soft skill I lean on most in my day-to-day work is organization. As project managers, we are responsible for taking a wealth of information and presenting it clearly and concisely to our clients. This requires the organization of information coming from emails, reports, meeting takeaways, walkthroughs, etc., and it’s important to keep track of each. Additionally, the hard skill that I lean on most in my day-to-day work is my proficiency working with data in Excel or Smartsheet, as one of my responsibilities is data analysis.
Macro: What surprises people about your job?
Deanna: Something that surprises people about my job as a project manager is the variety of people we are responsible for interacting with daily. Not only am I a part of a large internal team, but we are also responsible for maintaining relationships with consultants, architects, contractors, vendors, and clients that make up the full project team. It can be difficult to navigate these relationships, especially since Macro is a key player in keeping the team aligned and focused.
Macro: If you could give one piece of advice to a young professional, what would it be?
Deanna: If I could offer one piece of advice to a young professional, it would be to take every opportunity. You never know where it might lead, and age should never be a barrier to trying something new!
Macro: Describe yourself in 5 words or less.
Deanna: Passionate, hardworking, assertive, adventurous, and trustworthy.
