If you've ever gazed in awe at Portland International Airport's stunning mass-timber roof, you'll be proud to know that a University of Oregon alumna played a key role in its construction—all of which took place while the airport continued to serve travelers.
That alumna would be 2024 Oregon Executive MBA graduate Caitlin Powell, who served as the senior stakeholder manager for several years of the $2.2 billion airport redevelopment project at the same time as she was earning her MBA.
Throughout Powell's two-decade career in construction, she's been dedicated to creating elegant and sustainable structures, particularly in the aviation realm.
But beautiful buildings are not Powell's only passion: She is also committed to making the construction industry a welcoming and supportive space for all.
These are just two of the reasons that Daily Journal of Commerce will honor Powell this October as one of its Women of Vision awards—the region's top award for women leading in the fields of construction, architecture, and commercial real estate.
So, what was it like managing that giant airport project? Big, complicated, and high-stakes are words that spring to mind for sure.
"The roof was essentially the size of nine football fields. It was built off-site in sections and then moved into place over an active airport. Each move required us to carefully reroute airport operations and coordinate every detail around an airport that never stopped operating. Through extensive planning and collaboration, we were able to safely move these enormous pieces into place without any unplanned impacts to airport operations." said Powell.
Powell was also involved with creating two of the airport's retail popups, relatively short-term spaces in the terminal that enable travelers to get a taste of Portland's distinctive small businesses while providing the businesses with the opportunity to assess whether the airport a good site to grow their brands.
"I got to meet the women behind Missionary Chocolates when they were doing their preview of the space we had built for them. And there were tears in their eyes because this was happening, and you could see this was a moment that was a pivot for their business," said Powell.
Now working as the first-ever Portland aviation market lead for Swinerton, Powell has become the driving force behind the commercial construction company's aviation growth strategy throughout the Pacific Northwest. She actively builds and mentors the company's aviation team, helping colleagues transition into the specialized world of airport construction while developing future aviation leaders.
Keenly aware of the construction industry's high rates of suicide, substance abuse, and mental health challenges in the field, Powell is committed to fostering workplace wellness throughout the field. To this end, she champions several programs that normalize conversations about mental health and provide practical resources for workers.
One notable recent initiative is Powell's work partnering with OHSU to launch the science-backed Respectful Workplace pilot program for the construction industry. The initiative combines research, leadership development, and practical tools to improve psychological safety, mental well-being, respect, and jobsite culture.
Powell also works to help businesses owned by underrepresented groups find ways to succeed. Through organizations like the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs, the National Association of Minority Contractors, and CREW Portland, she regularly mentors small businesses, facilitates introductions, hosts educational events, and helps firms build relationships before they ever pursue work together.
Looking ahead, Powell sees the future of construction as increasingly inclusive—and increasingly impactful. For her, building the next generation of airports, workplaces, and communities also means building an industry where more people can see a place for themselves and have the opportunity to thrive.
"Construction has an incredible ability to shape our future through the places we build and the people and communities we impact along the way," Powell said. "The more voices and perspectives we bring into this industry, the stronger we become. I want to be part of creating a future where everyone has an opportunity to help build what comes next."
—Kit Alderdice, Oregon Executive MBA