Delivering success at the speed of science

PROFILE: Catherine Roden

Wentworth Institute of Technology has selected Catherine (Cat) Roden as the 2023 winner of the Founders Scholarship. Established in the memory of four founding individuals – Dick Kuchinsky, Dennis Leahy, Ron Gagnon and Patricia Canelli – the scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate student focused in construction management or a related field who exemplifies values in academic discipline and civic-mindedness. Preference is given to Eagle Scouts or Gold Star Girl Scouts and the applicant may renew the scholarship in subsequent years of enrollment.

Notes Kevin Quinn, Dacon’s CEO, “When Dacon began this scholarship in 2014, we sought individuals demonstrating a strength of character in personal integrity, self-discipline and a desire for a career within this industry. Catherine is all of that, and we are excited to see what she accomplishes in the future.”

Building achievement has been central to Cat’s life in rural Lebanon, N.Y. Her graduating class consisted of just 23 students, the majority of which didn’t have the opportunity for a collegiate education. Cat stands out not just amidst her high school colleagues but her family as well. Upon graduating in December, Cat will be the only person in her immediate family to attain a college education. Her father, whom she describes as “by far, one of the hardest working men I know,” acted as her initial motivation to enter the field. Naturally adept at math and solving complex challenges, Cat knew she wanted to apply her strategic and analytical capabilities to building design.

She serves as VP of the Sigma Lambda Chi International Construction Honor Society and is a member of the Construction Management Club. Outside of the university curriculum, Cat is an avid outdoor athlete and enjoys teaching children skiing at a small, western Massachusetts resort. Upon graduating with a B.S. in construction management, she aspires to obtain a position in virtual design and construction within the metro Boston area.

PROFILE: Camilla Vivaldi Coelho

After graduating with a degree in architecture in Brazil, Camilla Vivaldi Coelho spent five years working on the development of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Village, a residential complex with 31 buildings and more than 3,000 apartments. She oversaw the architectural and landscape projects and coordinated with the construction team to create the first neighborhood in Latin America to earn LEED certification.

Architect And Construction Manager

Manzo Freeman Development

She moved to the U.S. to earn an MBA at Babson College before joining Manzo Freeman Development (MFD), a privately-owned commercial real estate firm. Quickly climbing the ranks as the designated architect and construction manager at MFD, Camilla helps lead tenant and building-wide projects at each of the firm’s properties: The Landing at Hudson Mills in Hudson, Mass.; The Landing at Everett Mills in Lawrence, Mass.; and The Landing at One Chestnut in Nashua, N.H.

Camilla excels in building trusted relationships with the firm’s contractors and tenants, and understanding the tenant’s vision for their space and making it a reality. Camilla is trilingual which is especially valuable in communities with a large population of Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish speakers. Camilla prides herself on guiding tenants through the design and construction process, making it as seamless as possible so they can focus on their core business. She is exceptionally detail-oriented and organized, ensuring all of MFD’s projects are delivered on time and under budget.

“Camilla is an incredible asset to the MFD team, and her skills and tireless efforts contribute to our success,” said Alexandra Freeman, managing partner and COO at MFD.