Áine O’Dwyer’s path through the construction and engineering industry is defined by range, rigor and a willingness to lead from the front. Originally from Ireland, O’Dwyer brings a global perspective to everything she builds—an outlook shaped by international experience and grounded in hands-on execution.
As Principal and CEO of Enovate Engineering, she has grown a company known for tackling complex public and private sector work, from major bridge and airport projects to large-scale solar developments across New York and California.
Founded in 2017, Enovate reflects O’Dwyer’s belief that technical excellence and inclusive leadership are not competing priorities but complementary strengths. Before launching her own firm, she spent years at a global infrastructure and construction company, advancing from field engineer to VP overseeing engineering operations worldwide.
Along the way, she worked on national and multibillion-dollar international projects that continue to inform her leadership approach. A licensed PE in fifteen states and a recognized industry leader, O’Dwyer has built a culture centered on opportunity, diversity and long-term growth.
Here’s a closer look at the experiences and values guiding her journey.
Tell us your story. What inspired you to pursue a career in construction?
Throughout primary and high school, I was always drawn to technical subjects and mathematics, which naturally led me to study engineering in college. I pursued a degree in Civil Engineering and quickly fell in love with the idea of the built environment—shaping spaces and infrastructure that people rely on every day.
During college, I completed several internships both in New Jersey and in my native Ireland, where I discovered how much I enjoyed construction specifically. There was something incredibly rewarding about seeing large-scale projects come to life.
Being based in the tri-state area has given me the opportunity to work on truly monumental infrastructure projects, including the George Washington Bridge, the Hudson Tunnel Project and all three major New York–area airports, to name just a few.
What’s been the most defining moment of your career so far?
About seven years into my career, I said yes to an opportunity without fully knowing where it would lead. At the time, it felt like I was simply taking on a new assignment, but it ultimately changed the entire trajectory of my career.
That decision opened doors I never anticipated and eventually led me to become a business owner, running my own engineering and construction management company.
How has your leadership style evolved as you’ve advanced in the industry?
As I’ve grown in my career, I’ve become a much stronger delegator—and everything is better because of it. I no longer feel the need to lead every initiative myself. Instead, I surround myself with talented people who often do an even better job when I give them the space and trust to lead.
What are some of the most significant changes you’ve seen in the industry?
Advancements in technology have been the most significant change during my career. From the adoption of new software over the years to the rise of AI and emerging technologies today, the way we work has transformed dramatically.
While we may still be working the same number of hours, we’re working very differently than we did 15 years ago—far more efficiently and with a much more proactive approach.
What emerging trends do you believe will have the biggest impact on the construction space moving forward?
AI and technology—without a doubt. While their impact on construction will look different than in industries like manufacturing, these tools are already reshaping how we plan, manage and deliver projects. The most important thing moving forward will be our ability to adapt and evolve alongside these changes.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in construction?
Be open to opportunity—you never know where it might lead. Speak up and don’t shy away just because you’re unsure of your answer. More often than not, the people who speak up are the ones who are heard, and their ideas are the ones that move forward. Stay curious and keep asking questions.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
Always take a step back and make sure you’re adding value. If you can’t clearly see the value you’re bringing, chances are others can’t either.
What’s the single most important thing every woman can do to secure—and keep—a seat at the table?
Share your voice and your ideas. At the same time, be open to listening to others and adapting when a different perspective proves to be the better approach.
How can companies better support the advancement of women in leadership roles?
Companies need to give women a voice from the very beginning and actively include them in leadership discussions and functions so they can see what’s possible and understand the path forward.
Organizations should consistently look inward and ask whether they’re truly creating equal opportunities for advancement. If they’re not, changes need to happen—and quickly. Companies miss out on tremendous potential when women aren’t given the opportunity to advance.
What’s the biggest item on your to-do list right now?
Finalizing our strategy for 2026 and beyond—thinking intentionally about how we want to grow and what we need to do to make that growth successful and sustainable.
What motivates you to keep pushing boundaries in your career?
The more opportunities I’m exposed to, the more clearly I can see what I want to pursue next. That forward momentum is incredibly motivating.
If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?
Higher salaries. To get there, clients need to better understand the value we provide. There’s no reason the professionals designing, managing and delivering critical infrastructure should be billing at a fraction of what similarly skilled professionals earn in other industries.
