From Intern to Project Sponsor: Jesi Neill’s Journey at Kiewit

For Jesi Neill, a career in construction wasn’t part of the original plan.

“I was just saving for my next solo backpacking trip,” she said. “I took a job in construction to make some money, and an engineer I worked with asked why I hadn’t considered civil engineering. It had never crossed my mind.”

That conversation changed everything.

After returning from her trip, Jesi enrolled in a civil engineering program in Manitoba. She later joined Kiewit as an intern. What followed was a career defined by hands-on experience, continuous growth and a willingness to take on new challenges.

Building a career through experience

Jesi’s career at Kiewit has taken her through a wide range of roles across the business. She’s worked as a field engineer, sub manager, lead engineer and superintendent, while also gaining experience in estimating and commercial management, preparing her for her first project manager role.

One early experience helped shape her confidence as a leader.

“Earlier in my career, I was approached by management to go run a small stabilization project in B.C. My first reaction was self-doubt; I didn’t feel ready to take on a small job on my own and honestly contemplated turning down the opportunity.”

However with support from her team, she moved forward.

“Throughout my career at Kiewit, there have been people who believed in me before I believed in myself,” she said. “People have taken chances on me, even when I had those doubts.”

The project was completed ahead of schedule, under budget and with zero recordable incidents.

“I proved to myself that I could do it,” she said. “From then on, I’ve been more willing to take on new challenges. It helped me realize this is where I’m meant to be.”

“And like most people, my career hasn’t been linear,” she said. “Each role gave me a different perspective and helped prepare me for the next opportunity.”

Those experiences ultimately led her to the Cheekeye Debris Flow Barrier project in British Columbia.

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Delivering impact at Cheekeye

Jesi began working on the project in 2019 during the early contractor involvement phase, when the project was still in its conceptual stages. When Kiewit signed the full construction contract, she then stepped into the project manager role. After two years on site, she recently transitioned into a sponsor role supporting the project.

Located near the base of Mount Garibaldi, the Cheekeye Debris Flow Barrier is designed to protect nearby communities from the risk of large debris flows, a long-standing concern in the region.

“The community has lived with this threat for decades,” Jesi said. “This project will help protect people while also opening up opportunities for future development.”

Milestones that matter

Among the project’s many milestones, one stands out.

“In July 2025, we diverted the river back through the center of the barrier and reached 50% completion,” she said. “It was a big moment for the client, but what made me most proud was seeing how proud the crews were to be part of it.”

Another memorable moment came when the team completed the concrete structure.

“We were celebrating the success with the crew, and one of the foremen told me he would come back and build it ten times over,” Jesi said. “That’s when you know you’ve done something right, creating a culture where people are proud of what they’ve accomplished.”

A people-first approach

For Jesi, the most important lesson from the project is something she’ll carry forward in her future work.

“Your people are your number one priority,” she said. “No matter how busy you get, no matter how much is going on in your world as a project manager, you are nothing without your people. Make the time to develop them and get out there to connect with the craft building the work.”

She credits the project’s success to the strong sense of community built among the team.

“The biggest difference was creating an environment where people are proud of what they’re building and excited to come to work every day.”

Jesi was recently nominated for an internal award. To recognize this milestone, we spoke with Kiewit leaders and Chief Dale of the Squamish Nation about Jesi’s leadership and contributions to the Cheekeye project.

Driven by people and purpose

Today, Jesi remains motivated by both the people she works with and the impact of the work itself.

“There’s no better feeling than working together to accomplish something and celebrating those successes together,” she said.

She also points to the broader impact of Kiewit’s projects.

“Whether it’s protecting communities, building infrastructure and connecting remote communities or creating opportunities for local employment and training, the work we do makes a real difference.”

Advice for future builders

For those considering a career at Kiewit, Jesi emphasizes the opportunities available.

“The opportunities are endless. It’s all about what you make of them,” she said.

She also acknowledges the challenges, particularly for those working on remote projects.

“It’s not always easy, but with that comes so many opportunities for growth. Some of my best memories have come from being out on projects with the team.”