Heike Salewski-Smith is a new member to the Southern California Section. She emigrated from Germany to Vancouver, British Columbia, with her family in the late 1980s. She graduated high school and obtained an associate’s degree in business management, specializing in marketing.

Heike’s first job was in the retail management industry, where she learned the merchandising aspects of retail and fashion window display. Heike was drawn to the marketing aspects of fashion window display. Heike jumped for the chance when a job opportunity opened in window dressing and fashion merchandising. She says she had a blast during those years and managed six fashion retail stores and opened stores across Canada, in Quebec, Montreal, and Winnipeg.

Then Heike’s life changed in the early 1990s, she got married, became a mother, and moved to the US. For a few years, Heike concentrated on her newest job, being a full time mom. She enjoyed the opportunity to stay home, but she missed the mental challenges of working. As her children matured, Heike took the chance to start a career in the real estate title industry. Over time she worked her way up from a receptionist to a real estate closer.

Then life changed again as her 15 year marriage ended in a divorce. Heike used this change to her advantage, went back to school, and obtained a degree in interior design. She graduated with honors and landed a job with a kitchen design firm. She enjoyed the initial challenge, but yearned for greater career opportunities.

Then another opportunity emerged in a completely different industry with Cumming Corporation, a cost consulting firm. Heike taught herself construction estimating through perseverance, asking a lot of questions, and never giving up. She enjoyed the challenge of working at Cumming Corporation, excelled at the new opportunity and made lots of great contacts.

Heike attributes a lot of her current success to her mentor. Her mentor is Brian Clare, a senior estimator/scheduler with Cumming Corporation. She says Brian is a wonderful resource, takes time to introduce her to new things and always shares his experiences and expertise. Heike says Brian introduced her to AACE International and took her to section dinner meetings and the Spring
Symposium training event. Heike says she was drawn to AACE International because of the networking opportunities available from attending meetings and seminars. She liked the wide range
educational materials available through the AACE International website. Heike is excited about her membership with AACE International and looks forward to working with the Women in Project
Control’s committees.

Heike says she attributes a lot of her success to that she never passed up an opportunity to take on a new challenge. She says her never ending enthusiasm and resourcefulness together with her
desire to succeed made her the professional person she is today. Her advice to young ladies starting in the construction industry is to be prepared for a career full of challenges and rich work experiences. She reminds ladies to be confident and look forward to a rewarding future!