2024 Women in Construction – Amy Michels – Mead & Hunt

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Amy Michels enjoys watching how construction projects come together.

“From the start of preliminary plans to design and then construction, even if there are two projects that are the same, they can be totally different,” said Michels, a project manager at Mead & Hunt. “I think that seeing the construction in the real world helps with my in the office design work. Everything looks good on paper but doesn’t always work in the field.”

Michels started her career working in a city survey department before working as an engineering technician with the same city. Besides watching the projects come together, she found she enjoyed solving challenges as they came up.

At Mead & Hunt, Michels now manages or plays a key role in the firm’s aviation design projects. Bryan Page, manager of the firm’s aviation services, said Michels manages multimillion dollar airport improvement projects, worked on several award-winning airport improvement projects and has become “a trusted go-to resource” in the industry.

“Amy has demonstrated exemplary leadership and mentoring other young women in the construction industry,” Page said. “Staff members feel comfortable in approaching Amy with their questions knowing she will patiently provide guidance to their questions.”

Michels is active promoting girls and women in the construction industry. She participates annually in the Girls in Aviation Day at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and is a member of women’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

When asked what advice she would give to women considering a career in construction, Michels said “to just go for it. I grew up being told I could do any job I wanted. I knew I could (work in the industry) because I understood the process of construction and had the personality to get along with those around me.”