FOUNDERS DAY HONOREES
Jacqueline Pruitt
Marvella Steel Placers was established in February 2016 by President and CEO Jacqueline Pruitt. Ms. Pruitt began her career in early 2009 as an Apprentice Ironworker for Local 416. With the odds against her, she made it her everyday task to learn and implement the skills needed to become a successful field Journeyman Ironworker. In her 3rd year as an apprentice, she was given the chance to be a Lead Ironworker on projects such as; Berth 200 in the Port of Los Angeles, the Automated Container Movers in the Port of Long Beach, freeway lane additions, bridges, abutments, miles of retaining walls and barrier rail on the 91 freeway, and slab on metal decks for the famous Wilshire Grand High-rise.
Shortly after achieving her Journeyman status, she was given the opportunity to be Foreman and built the Hollywood Park Casino on time and under budget. Ever since her entrance into the Ironworkers local, she always had the desire to start and run her own rebar business and with due diligence and perseverance, she has become exceptionally successful.
Mischa Haramia
Mischa Haramia has over 35 years of experience in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry, focusing for the last 23 years on entertainment and sporting venues. During that time, she is fortunate enough to have worked on a number of iconic venues, such as SoFi Stadium and YouTube Theater. In her current role at Henderson Engineers as Entertainment Practice Director, she uses her love of live music to help bring these venues to life and create an experience that won’t be forgotten. In addition to performing arts and concert venues, she also works on esports, experiential/movie theaters, casinos, amusement parks, and production studios, bringing a variety of project types to her portfolio.
With a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Mischa stays involved with many industry and community organizations. Through speaking, presenting, advocating, and volunteering, she hopes to spread awareness of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all facets of life. In her spare time, she enjoys running, painting, and exploring the mountains, beach or California’s many wineries.
Dixon Lu
Dixon is Associate Partner at MAD Architects’ Los Angeles Office. This is Dixon’s second stint with MAD, having acted as Head of Operations for their Beijing office from 2008 to 2011. Dixon helped to conceptualize and organize the firm’s installation in partnership with Olafur Eliasson, “Feelings are Facts” at UCCA. Since returning to MAD in 2014, Dixon has project managed the firm’s first US Project, Gardenhouse, a mixed-use complex with luxury condominiums in Beverly Hills. He is the Los Angeles office’s leader, managing operations, projects, and overall strategy for MAD in North and South America.
Kabri Lehrman Schmid
Kabri Lehrman Schmid has a 16-year career portfolio showcasing her depth of skill across all project phases on highly-phased, active campus projects totaling over $1.9B work in place. She is valued by clients and trade partners as a talented controller of building strategy and an attentive coordinator of construction teams - outcomes rooted in the mutually beneficial relationships she maintains. Recognized as one of ENR’s 2023 Top 20 Under 40 national honorees and Construction Business Owner’s 2019 Outstanding Women in Construction, Kabri is also the recipient of AGC of Washington’s 2022 inaugural Rising Star award, and Washington Women in Trades’ 2019 Workplace Leader Award. She is an experienced public speaker who contributes her industry insights to organizations and publications that prioritize workforce health building strategies, field management training and supporting
careers in the skilled trades.
Kabri’s regional and national recognition has been a result of years of dedication to construction-specific diversity and mental health initiatives across the industry. Her message emphasizes the responsibility of field leadership to model inclusion and shares practical tactics with owners, trade partners and design professionals on how (and why) to build psychological safety on the jobsite.
Patrick Otellini
Patrick Otellini is the National Affordable Housing Director with Swinerton and leads their affordable housing efforts company wide. Prior to joining Swinerton, he served as the Chief Resilience Officer for the City and County of San Francisco under Mayor Edwin Lee and was responsible for the creation and implementation of the city’s resilience strategy: Resilient San Francisco – Stronger Today, Stronger Tomorrow. Mr. Otellini, along with his colleagues at Swinerton Builders, have created a national model of LGBT, Minority and Women business utilization on affordable housing projects which was launched with the construction of the fifteen-story OpenHouse project which will provide affordable housing for LGBTQ and Economically Disadvantaged seniors in San Francisco.
Mr. Otellini received his Master of Construction Management from New School of Architecture and Design and his Bachelor of Political Science from Westmont College. Outside of work, Patrick sits on the Boards of Rebuilding Together San Francisco and Urban Ed Academy. He also serves in the current Newsom administration as a member of the California Earthquake Authority Advisory Panel.