WIC Week™, or Women in Construction Week™, celebrates and promotes the role of women in the construction industry. The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) held the first WIC Week in 1998. It has grown and expanded each year since.
Raised in a family of coffee planters, Project Manager Raksha Machamada Nanaiah never saw herself working in construction. For most of her childhood, she assumed she’d join the army or police force in her native India.
It wasn’t until she was halfway through high school that she discovered her affinity for Science/Technology/Engineering/Math (STEM). After excelling in her advanced STEM classes, she realized that with the right education and training, she had incredible potential to build a successful career in civil or mechanical engineering.
“In the end, my father encouraged me to pursue civil engineering because he saw a stronger future in it,” Raksha says. “I loved both classes but ultimately committed to civil. A decade later, I’m so glad I stuck with it because I had no idea I’d enjoy this career so much!”
Raksha joined Webcor in 2018, shortly after graduating from the University of Missouri – Kansas City with her MS in Construction Management. She was assigned to Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel (aka New Century Plaza, or NCP) as a project engineer responsible for the exterior envelope scope—something she admittedly “had no knowledge about.”
“To be honest, I was lost,” she says. “Those early days were a major learning curve, from understanding the technicality of the system to handling difficult trade partners. However, I took it as a challenge—I started spending more time in the field with installers and with the documents so I could better understand how different systems interact with one another and different scopes overlap.”
Raksha credits her immense growth throughout her time at NCP to her colleagues and mentors, who fueled her innate curiosity by helping her think through possible solutions and explanations before answering her questions—and there were many questions.
“My teammates always assured me that no question was an invalid question,” she says. “Once I started questioning the ‘why’s,’ things quickly started to make sense. Clear communication and relationship-building go a long way in our industry. Don’t hesitate to question why you’re unsure of things—always speak up.”
Her experience on NCP validated what she’d long suspected but couldn’t be sure of as a student limited to classroom experience: Civil engineering was the path for her. Delivering the 1.9 million-SF residential/hotel project with her teammates was the sink-or-swim, real-world experience she needed to confirm she was on the right career track.
“I’m very grateful for my time on NCP and all my NCP teammates,” she says. “It gave me the chance to work on some demanding and stressful tasks early in my career, leaving me prepared to mitigate issues on the next one–a TI at Hollywood Park.”
Field Administration Manager Judy Gomez Movsessian, who worked closely with Raksha at the TI, says she was inspired by her tireless dedication to the project and outstanding attention to detail. She watched Raksha spend countless hours in the field to ensure work was seamlessly put in place while staying on top of owners’ billing and supporting her teammates.
“Raksha’s incredible work showcased her ability to problem-solve and lead with grace under pressure,” Judy says. “She made it happen, and that’s exactly the kind of determination that makes her a role model for women in construction. Raksha inspires with not just her work ethic but with the way she carries herself. She’s easy to talk to, supportive, and truly valued by her teammates. Keep paving the way, Raksha!”
Since launching her career at Webcor nearly seven years ago, Raksha’s been promoted three times—to senior project engineer in 2019 and assistant project manager in 2020 while working at NCP and to project manager in 2023. She’s tackled the responsibilities of each role with confidence and excitement, embracing each challenge as a valuable opportunity to learn and grow.
Last year, Raksha accepted Webcor’s “Bold” award at the Southern California holiday party. Every year, the “Bold” award is given to one Webcorian in each region who has “achieved the heights of excellence by consistently providing superior effort, positive attitude, supportive teamwork, and outstanding performance.”
As much as she appreciates promotions and awards, however, nothing ignites Raksha’s confidence like the trust earned from teammates and clients.
“Knowing that my team and ownership trust my work, vision, and path to the end goal has been the most rewarding part of my career,” she says. “I believe earning anybody’s trust in our industry is a major win.”
“I would take Raksha to any job I’m on,” says Sr. Construction Manager Michael Flint. “She’s hard-working, detail-oriented, and reliable. If she’s on a task, you don’t need to check on her—you know she’ll get it done regardless of the time it takes. She understands the pressure of the job and never takes things personally, which is hard to do. She’s also fun to work with, which is always helpful when dealing with the daily stress of a busy job site.”
Sr. Superintendent Justin Moore agrees that Raksha’s a natural team player who’s admired by all for her professionalism, collaborative spirit, and innovative thinking. Beyond her technical expertise, he says, she’s a true leader who motivates her teammates and encourages them to push boundaries.
“Raksha’s always willing to support her colleagues and share insights,” Justin says. “I admire her calm demeanor under pressure and her commitment to excellence in everything she does. She’s not afraid to think outside the box to overcome challenges and find creative solutions, making her a standout in a fast-paced industry.”
After several years on high-profile LA projects, Raksha’s currently in Precon/Estimating. Last year, she closed out the TI and wrapped up the Los Angeles Convention Center digital signage scope feasibility study.
“Webcor’s really helped build my resilience and overall exposure to the construction industry,” Raksha says. “It’s provided me with multiple growth opportunities throughout my career, for which I’ll always be grateful. I’m so thankful for everyone who’s supported me over the years and invested time in my growth.”
