Pennoni’s Employee Spotlight series gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the talented individuals who make our company thrive. Each month, we highlight a team member’s journey, passion for engineering and innovation, and unique impact at Pennoni.
This month, we’re featuring Allison Colatriano, a project manager in our Environmental, Health, and Safety group in the New York City – Midtown office and has been with Pennoni since July 2015. She received a B.S. in environmental systems engineering from Penn State University in 2013. She has experience with project managing environmental and industrial hygiene projects that primarily consist of Phase I ESAs, environmental sampling, spill plans, asbestos surveys and abatement, lead surveys and abatement, air assessments, and mold assessments. Allison is a member of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) in New York.
You’ve built a career in the environmental and industrial hygiene space. What first drew you to this field, and what continues to excite you about the work?
I have always had an interest in the environmental field throughout my teenage and young adult years. So I combined that with my love for math and studied environmental engineering at Penn State. After I graduated, I was able to get a job in the industry that I had just studied in school, which I felt fortunate to do. I continue to get excited learning about properties and sites that I would otherwise know nothing about. And every job is different, which keeps it fun and interesting.
You made the move from our Philadelphia office to New York City. How has being able to stay with Pennoni through that transition helped you continue growing—both personally and professionally?
Being able to stay with Pennoni throughout my move from Philly to New York City was invaluable. It provided stability in my life when I was going through a major move. In one way I was starting over in a brand new city, but on the other hand I was able to rely on my job at Pennoni as a constant and stable force in my life. I am still grateful for Pennoni allowing me to stay with the company during my move.
You’ve built a strong presence in the environmental field while navigating the fast pace of New York City. How has working in this environment—and staying connected through groups like CREW—shaped your growth as a project manager?
The life of a project manager in consulting is ever changing and fast paced. The quote, “If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen,” comes to mind. Navigating the fast pace of New York City is very much the same mindset due to 24/7 activity. My life in New York has helped me learn how to balance my priorities, whether they are personal or professional. And organizations like CREW New York have been a great support system for making connections in the real estate industry in the city. It is nice to feel a part of and connected to a group of like minded people when you live in such a big city.
Your colleagues describe you as attentive, communicative, and reliable. What values or habits do you think contribute most to being a dependable project manager?
Caring about the job contributes greatly to being a dependable project manager. With that mindset, other aspects of the job should naturally fall into place.
What’s something new you’ve learned recently—whether on the job or through your path toward your PE license—that’s inspired you to keep pushing forward?
Something new that I have learned recently is that I am capable of anything I put my mind to. I have been studying for quite some time now for my upcoming Professional Engineering exam, which started off as a daunting task. The last time I studied for something was in my college years, so returning to this routine brought on some anxiety at first. Once I got in the habit again and set a routine, the studying started to come naturally to me.
Another big goal I have this year is running the New York City marathon in November. I was less nervous to start my training routine for this goal because I have run a marathon before, but I was still anxious to feel the pain of running long distance again. Throughout my training so far, I am learning that I am more disciplined and capable than I remember. I’m excited for race day!