Neely K. Sadowski, LEED AP, BD+C (building design and construction), was drawn to building from an early age, whether it was with Lego blocks, Lincoln Logs or later shadowing a design-build architect in junior high school.
“That experience confirmed my desire to be part of the built environment,” Sadowski said. “I entered college intending to become an architect, but I soon discovered my true passion wasn’t in designing buildings but in bringing them to life.”
Some of the most meaningful moments in Sadowski’s career started early, such as managing the $30 million curtainwall system for the 73-story Legacy at Millennium Park in Chicago.
“That project pushed me to lead complex scopes, coordinate international partners and manage large field crews, shaping the foundation of my career,” she said. “My years in preconstruction at Pepper and Krusinski were equally pivotal — leading teams, standardizing processes and bridging the gap between design and operations gave me the opportunity to influence projects from the ground up while building lasting client relationships.”
These days, as president of construction at The Missner Group, the impact feels even broader for Sadowski. “What’s most meaningful now is developing people, shaping strategy, and creating a culture where both clients and teams succeed,” she said. “It’s rewarding to know that I’m not just guiding projects but also building an organization positioned for long-term growth and impact.”
If Sadowski could give her younger self one piece of advice, it would be to invest in developing emotional intelligence as much as technical expertise.
“Construction is a relationship-driven business, and the ability to listen, empathize and adapt is just as critical as knowing the details of a project,” she said. “Working with a leadership coach for several years was pivotal in helping me refine those skills and approach challenges with clarity and confidence.
“I would also remind my younger self to never see being a woman in a ‘man’s world’ as a disadvantage. Be confident in who you are and what you bring to the table, make your voice heard and know that confidence is key to building credibility.”
“From day one, I’ve focused on building strong connections with mentors who offered guidance, colleagues who challenged me and industry partners who collaborated to deliver successful projects. Construction is at its core a relationship-driven business, and those partnerships built on trust, respect, and shared goals have been the most impactful in my career growth,” she said.
Her advice to industry leaders is to foster a culture of inclusion and flexibility. “Representation matters – when women see other women thriving in leadership roles, it sends a powerful message that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of family or well-being.”
“Creating pathways for women to grow, supporting flexibility, and respecting that people have lives outside of work will not only retain talented women, but also build stronger, more committed teams and a healthier industry overall.”
Above all, she encourages women to remember why they started, stay connected to their passion, and let that passion fuel them forward.