BackOn International Women’s Day, people across the globe celebrate the tremendous achievements of women across all trades.
At Gryphon Development, we appreciate the artists in all trades and believe that a diversified workplace can stimulate creative conversations. It also allows for a multi-dimensional perspective continuously inspire and challenge the team. Today, we want to take the time to celebrate and acknowledge the strong women in architecture, development and construction who has paved the way for us all. Through their leadership, passion and perseverance in the work that they do, they are a constant source of inspiration that empower us to reach for the stars
Our Construction Director, Jacqueline Huynh, is one that break through the gender stereotype of women in construction. Her intrinsic leadership, ambition and over 12 years of experience in development and construction alluded to her success in this role where she oversees the Gryphon construction project from start to finish.
We had the pleasure to chat with Jacqueline about her story, her inspiration, and her challenges as a woman in the construction industry.
Gryphon: Tell us a little bit about yourself and what your role is at Gryphon Development? What is involved in your job?
Jacqueline: I’ve been in development and construction for over 12 years. As a Director of Construction at Gryphon, I oversee the construction project as a whole, which includes managing the team, our subcontractors and suppliers, as well as the budget and time allocation.
Gryphon: How did you get involved or interested in this industry?
Jacqueline: Following University, I did my internship at a large Vancouver homebuilder. As an intern, I learnt to do a bit of everything which broadened my knowledge of development as a whole, from land acquisition to construction and aftercare. After my internship, I was hired on full-time, and I have been doing this ever since.
Gryphon: Who are some of your role models that you look up to for inspiration?
Jacqueline: There are three people in particular that I look up to. First, my grandmother. She was an incredibly kind-hearted person that instilled a lot of great values in me. She taught me to be benevolent and respectful to others and to always do everything with an honest heart. Then there are my parents. They are hardworking and they do everything with integrity. They exposed me and my siblings to different cultures and life experiences from an early age, which taught us to be humbled and independent. I attribute a lot of my leadership skills to these experiences. Finally, my former boss Catherine. She taught me everything I know about construction, and she was also the first person that believed in me and gave me an opportunity to transition from development to construction.
Gryphon: What challenges have you faced, as a woman, in becoming successful in your field? How did you overcome them?
Jacqueline: Earlier in my career, there weren’t as many women in construction as there are now, and I had to work twice as hard to be acknowledged. Once they saw my dedication and eagerness to get inside the construction site to work with trades, their perception of me being a woman started to change. The senior management and ownership were happy with the job progress and reporting, and they appreciate how I was able to handle situations differently and more efficiently compared to my male counterparts. I got more and more autonomy as the project progressed.
Gryphon: What is the proudest moment in your career?
Jacqueline: At a hotel development company I once worked at, we renovated and built 9 hotels across Canada in 6.5 years. It was non-stop and very challenging both mentally and physically but well worth it. Other proud moments include finishing a 27 story high rise and building a 5,000 sf presentation centre in under 4 months.
Gryphon: Based on your own experience, what advice would you give to women considering to pursue a career in this field?
Jacqueline: Block out any doubts, believe in your skills and know what you can bring to the team. I also recommend going to the site and talk to the trades. Being in the construction site is like being in a working classroom where you can continuously learn.
Gryphon: At Gryphon, we believe that art is everywhere in our daily lives. What is your art of living?
Jacqueline: For me, art is finding that perfect balance between design and functionality. I live in a condo, so space is a premium. Most fixtures in my home have to serve at least two purposes. For example, I recently splurged on a Diptyque diffuser. It makes my living room smell like a flower garden and it looks like an art sculpture on my side table. Many people think it’s a paperweight or an hourglass. It’s definitely a conversation piece. I also recently started collecting European antique jewellery. I love the history and story behind each piece and why they were commissioned.
Gryphon: What are the five things that you love the most about living in Vancouver?
Jacqueline: I love the cultural diversity, food options, and the number of cultural festivals that celebrate the city’s diversity. I also love the tight-knit community feel in many neighbourhoods that are welcoming towards newcomers. Finally, we are so blessed to have such proximity to beautiful nature, mountains, oceans and green space. It is perfect for work-life balance and for my dog Georges to run around.
Jacqueline’s Dog, Georges
