After moving to Colorado in 2022, Alessandra Maffie joined PCL following a Google search for top construction companies in the area. Inspired by her love of math, Maffie received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Florida State University. Following an internship at a civil design firm, Maffie realized her passion for fieldwork and collaborating with dynamic teams.  As Chair of PCL’s NextGen group in Denver, Maffie leads young professionals in strengthening PCL's culture and fostering innovation.

I joined PCL in 2022 after relocating from Florida to Colorado. When I moved to Colorado, I researched the best construction companies to work for in the Denver area and found PCL at the top of the list, so I decided to apply. My first project was The Russell, a wood-frame multifamily development in Arvada. After its completion, I transferred to Keystone to work on one of our mountain projects. Although I've been with PCL for a relatively short time, I've already had some fantastic experiences and collaborated with great people.

I was born in Peru and moved to Florida when I was 12. When I was young, I thought I wanted to be an architect. I’m good at math, though, and I’ve always enjoyed it, so when I found that civil engineering leveraged that skill more than architecture, I decided to pursue that path. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and completed some post-graduate studies in structural engineering at Florida State University.

During my studies, I interned at a roadway firm doing civil design, which I enjoyed. However, I knew I wanted to be more involved in the field and see projects come together physically. On the design side, you often spend a lot of time drawing before the project starts, and sometimes you miss out on being part of the final product. I also enjoy working with diverse groups of people. That's why construction felt like the right fit for me – it allows me to be on-site with a team and see the final product come together. I appreciate the tangible nature of construction and the opportunity to build relationships.

I enjoy working on any type of vertical construction, whether it's apartments, office buildings, hotels or other structures. I love seeing a project come out of the ground. The Russell was my first wood-frame project, and I learned a lot from the experience. It was challenging for the entire team, but thanks to our strong team dynamics and PCL's supportive culture, we successfully delivered the project.

I would say the culture, without a doubt. There's a strong family feel and substantial support from leadership. PCL offers numerous opportunities for personal development and career growth, allowing employees to advance within the company. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, the company and its leadership are eager to provide the support needed to help you reach the next level. 

I serve as the Chair of PCL’s NextGen group at our Denver office, which consists of young professionals with 5-12 years of industry experience. The group's purpose is to create an internal network among peers to strengthen PCL's culture, share lessons learned and resources and add value to the company. As the Chair, I lead the committee, act as a liaison with the Denver leadership, and set the group's vision for growth and development.