In the run up to International Womens Day, Sunday 8th March, ADCO Contracting are delighted to feature some of the great women driving our operation.
13th March 2020 | Finally…
Anita Joyce,
Buyer
What’s your official job title?
Buyer
What do you actual do?
Everything! 😊
I am involved in all sorts but predominately looking after our buying and our purchasing. This is very much about keeping an eye on the market and bringing my negotiating skills to ensure ADCO Contracting is getting the best price and service that we can then pass onto our clients. I also work very closely with our accounts team in reconciling invoices and ensuring they are accurate for the accounts team to make payment.
Pictured: Anita Joyce, Buyer, ADCO Contacting
I also keep an eye on the general running of the office here which has a lot of variety. While we are a very successful construction company, we are also a tight enough team meaning we all roll up our sleeves and get involved in a multitude of things, in addition to your day job! It is great – time flies!
What do you like about your job?
I really enjoy the variety and my ability to bring versatility to the role. I am quite adaptable and like getting involved in all sorts while keeping the focus and professionalism running across our purchasing and buying.
I also enjoy championing many of our charity drives. In the last few months, I managed our Christmas Corporate Social Responsibility drive with the Children’s Medical & Research Foundation (CMRF) Crumlin where ADCO Contracting donated a truck load of toys to the foundation in time for Christmas. I am also currently involved with a homelessness charity drive we are doing here, delighted to take part to support IWD and I would like to do something to raise awareness for Facial Palsy in the future.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I remember I wanted to be taller and older! I am definitely at least one of those now 😊. I was born with Facial Palsy which generally refers to weakness of the facial muscles, mainly resulting from temporary or permanent damage to the facial nerve. In my case it’s permanent. When a facial nerve is either non-functioning or missing, the muscles in the face do not receive the necessary signals in order to function properly. This results in paralysis of the affected part of the face, which can affect movement of the eye(s) and / or mouth as well as other areas. As I was never treated any differently at home, I think this has made me the strong person I am today and that anything is possible with hard work & dedication.
What is your favourite hobby / past-time?
I am a big music fan and hence my guilty pleasure (see below!). I also play guitar although this has stopped since I broke my finger last year. I also enjoy walking with my beautiful golden retriever every evening after work.
What is your ‘guilty pleasure’?
Country music! I have even been to Nashville! I have no shame in it – just a bit of guilt perhaps! 😊
Who is your idol / role model?
My father and I feel I am following in his footsteps.
What is the one thing you are most proud of?
Professionally, I am very proud of my adaptability and think it is why I am successful at what I do. This means I have successfully moved around different types of organisations in different sectors – small, big, Irish and International. I think adaptability enables you to hit the ground running but also bring your learnings from different environments and use them as a strength where you are today.
On a personal basis, I would say ‘survival’. Anyone who has experienced health issues no matter the stage of life knows it can be a physical and mental challenge. It is your response that matters. I think that’s why I like to do my bit to raise awareness for different charities when time permits.
What does “International Women’s Day” mean to you?
For me it is all about recognition of women and what we are capable of and particularly in the workforce.
Pictured: Anita Joyce, Buyer, ADCO Contacting
This year’s theme for IWD is “Equal for Equal”. What does that mean to you?
Two words come to mind – acceptance and inclusion.
What is your view on working in the Construction Sector?
I worked in a variety of workplaces, big and small, Irish and International. I honestly don’t feel there is any difference in construction to working elsewhere. Or perhaps that is the ADCO difference!
What is your personal experience of working at ADCO Contracting?
Working for ADCO Contracting means you are very much respected and our opinions are listened to. Everyone is friendly and welcoming. I have only been with the company six months but feel as though I have been here since the start.
8th March 2020 | Third up…
Rita Jasaitiene,
Accountant
What’s your official job title?
Accountant
What do you actual do?
Anything got to do with money, book-keeping and cashflow! I look after all our accounts and invoicing, it’s a complex, busy role in the construction sector.
What do you like about your job?
As a small-to-medium enterprise but one that handles a lot of big projects, I love the fact that I get to see everything happen – from initial project kick off right through to full construction and handover to client. As the finance person I am involved every step of the way as it all involves budgets, timing and milestones.
Pictured: Rita Jasaitiene, Accountant
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I remember thinking I wanted to be an actress. As I grew up I got drawn into finance and accounting. There is not much acting going on here, its all about numbers, facts and data!
What is your favourite hobby / past-time ?
The gym. I get up very early to make it happen. They I go back home, drop the kids to school and then get into the ADCO office. It’s a busy morning and it’s a real challenge to avoid the traffic!
What is your ‘guilty pleasure’?
I am a big fan of the Big Bang Theory.
Who is your idol / role model?
My mum! I think a lot of women (and men!) will identify with this and I don’t feel the need to explain why! 🙂
What is the one thing you are most proud of?
Personally, I am very proud of my kids and what I have done as a mother. Professionally, I am very proud of the fact I moved here to Ireland from Lithuania, developed a career and made it all happen. I had a plan and a vision which I stuck to and it worked out really well.
What does “International Womens Day” mean to you ?
I think its just a very positive thing to recognise the role of women and don’t forget the importance of equality and equality issues in today’s society.
This years theme for IWD is “Equal for Equal”. What does that mean to you ?
Personally, I don’t feel I have been treated unfairly or as not equal. However, I know it is a wide issue for many. I think Equal for Equal is a mantra to recognise the work that has been done, the need to do more and never get complacent.
What is your view on working in the Construction Sector ?
It is very fast moving and there is a lot of pressure but I really find it rewarding.
What is your personal experience of working at ADCO Contracting?
Working in ADCO is challenging but makes you grow as a person and most importantly part of a team.
4th March 2020 | Second up…
Mairead Luttrell,
Project Manager.
What’s your official job title?
Project Manager. I get things done!
What do you actual do?
On a day-to-day basis I manage a team of ADCO Contracting staff and our subcontractors to successfully deliver the project scope of works within a set budget and timeframe.
What do you like about your job?
I love working with people and fostering a collective team spirit and ethos to reach a common goal.
Pictured: Mairead Luttrell, Project Manager, ADCO Contracting
What did you want to be when you were a child?
Thinking back I don’t feel I ever had an exact idea in my head as a child. I did love knowing how something worked or was built hence why I ended up studying Engineering. I also like to be outdoors so being on building sites suits me as opposed indoors at the desk for 8 hours a day!
What is your favourite hobby / past-time ?
I love GAA and I play camogie with Ballyboden St.Enda’s in Dublin. Outside of sport, I love socialising with friends and doing outdoor activities such as hiking, paddle boarding and kayaking.
What is your ‘guilty pleasure’?
I love to indulge in easy going TV comedy shows such as Brooklyn Nine Nine, 8 out of 10 Cats and A League Of Their Own.
Who is your idol / role model?
I have a good few! I would find it so hard to pick just one! I am an admirer of Katie Piper, the writer, TV presenter and activist who was a victim of an acid attack. She is a great example of how to bounce back when bad things happen, resilience and persistence, qualities I admire in a person. Equally Mark Pollock comes to mind, the motivational speaker and adventurer and Vicky Phelan, the cervical cancer campaigner as examples of despite enormous battles in life they turned them into a strength to make a real difference with their lives. All thoroughly inspirational.
What is the one thing you are most proud of?
Personal, my family. Very proud of them all.
Professionally, I am very proud of the fact that I proved my ability to manage large and / or complex projects in a short space of time.
What does “International Womens Day” mean to you ?
Quite simply a day to recognise and champion women in society as equals.
This years theme for IWD is “Equal for Equal”. What does that mean to you ?
It is well documented that women have often not been treated equally in the workplace when it comes to things such as salaries and job promotion opportunities. For men Equal for Equal means when women have the same qualifications as men then they must have the same job opportunities and salary to reflect that. I think the situation has improved over recent years but still not at the level it needs to be at.
What is your view on working in the Construction Sector ?
It is a challenging sector to work in, but I like a good challenge! I like working on projects because you are never doing the exact same thing for too long. You need to go in and get the job done and move on. There is a real sense of satisfaction when you hand over a completed project to a delighted client.
What is your personal experience of working at ADCO Contracting?
ADCO Contracting is a young, growing company set up in 2009. My experience of working here is hugely positive. I started my career here after graduating from UCD in 2011. Ireland was in the depth’s of recession and getting a job in a construction related position was extremely difficult. In that time I have watched ADCO Contracting as a company and our team grow and develop. It is a very satisfying feeling to have been part of the company’s growth and success since the outset. Personally, I have repeatedly been given opportunities to grow, learn and develop which I am thankful for.
2nd March 2020 | First up…
Gisela Batista Nalin
Project Coordinator, Quality Systems.
“You can do anything you want and wish for and if it’s a struggle then when you achieve it you really deserve it!”
What your official job title?
I am Project Coordinator, Quality Systems.
What do you actual do?
I am responsible for the implementation of Business Process Management. This involves defining all the steps in our work processes and identifying what can be improved and how we can track it. I am also heavily involved in project meetings, activity planning and implementing best practice in our project management. This stems across activities such as business process analysis, automation, workflow design, process auditing, value stream mapping and business strategy.
What do you like about your job?
I came from the wind turbine blade manufacturing background. I was attracted to ADCO Contracting because of the opportunity to work in a different environment but one which I could bring my own subject matter knowledge successfully and seek to leverage it to enrich business process management here. It is a fast-growing company that moves at speed so it’s a great challenge for me. ADCO Contracting is also very diverse with a mixed culture meaning it’s a dynamic business environment.
Pictured: Gisela Batista Nalin, Project Coordinator, Quality Systems
What did you want to be when you were a child?
One of my earliest memories was drawing with my Dad at home and I told him I wanted to be a designer. I did study Technical and Mechanical design but as time went by, I ended up specialising as a Control and Automation Engineer. I also hold an MBA in Project Management. I think a combination my project management, engineering and design skills resulted in me working in the field I am now with ADCO Contracting.
What is your favourite hobby / past-time ?
I am passionate about motorbikes! I had one back in Brazil. When I came to Ireland I had to give it up. I am also passionate about learning and discovering new ways to do things. I am creative, I love to read, travel and hang out with friends.
What is your ‘guilty pleasure’?
Ooooh dear – I have loads! I have started to watch “Anne with an “E”. I am fascinated with how a little girl can control her emotions and continue to pursue her ambitions by focusing on something that helps her move on. It reminded me of myself. Coming from a somewhat traditional family and the only girl, my mum wished for me to stay at home instead of going to University. However, I was always focused on building an independent life. It thought me that you can do anything you want and wish for and if it’s a struggle then when you achieve it you really deserve it!
Who is your idol / role model?
I was a Counsellor at the CDES (Economic and Social Development Council in Brazil). Here I met Chieko Aoki and Luiza Helena Trajano. Both of them are hugely successful businesswomen in Brazil.
What is the one thing you are most proud of?
In life, I am most proud of my outlook on life – be helpful to all no matter who they are. I will always be friendly and give a shoulder to whoever needs it no matter who you are. The most valuable thing in human beings is kindness. In professional life, I am proud that I have become a successful professional in a field or environment which historically has been male-dominated and orientated.
What does “International Womens Day” mean to you ?
From my point of view it is about reflecting on progress and demanding gender equality. Step by step women are conquering their space and standing out. We have a lot more to do and more paradigms to break.
This years theme for IWD is “Equal for Equal”. What does that mean to you ?
No matter if the professional is female or male, they should have the same opportunity, pay and conditions.
What is your view on working in the Construction Sector ?
It is a real challenge for me as I came from a different sector. However, my strength is in learning and improving myself so it’s a enjoyable challenge!
ADCO Contracting is a proud supporter of International Womens Day. To find out more about the day and how you or your organisation can support, visit https://www.internationalwomensday.com