BSCI Alumna Leads Through Networking

While she was still a student at the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI), Gallagher interned in Holder’s preconstruction department, gaining exposure to multiple projects and the culture of the company. Then, after graduating in 2000, she returned to Atlanta, kicking off 26 years at Holder.

She started her career in project management, overseeing an office building for Cox Enterprises and a dormitory for the Atlanta College of Art, before transitioning to interiors and adaptive reuse. For the last five years, Gallagher has led Holder’s Southeast operations, supervising all of the projects in the region, mentoring the company’s associates into leaders and developing relationships that lead to new project opportunities.

As one of the largest general contractors in the nation, Holder is known for projects like Mercedes-Benz Stadium and work with Delta and Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, as well as the reconstruction of the Salt Lake City Airport and the Apple Headquarters in Cupertino, California. The company’s slogan is “We are builders at heart,” and Gallagher believes that goes beyond the final constructed project.

“We do the job that gets us invited back for the next,” she said, emphasizing the importance of relationships between partners, clients and communities, as well as amongst team members.

That mindset extends outside of the office as Gallagher supports other women in the industry through the Commercial Real Estate for Women (CREW) Network. She was part of the 2014 leadership class and served as president in 2021—and this fall, Gallagher is slated to be inducted into the CREW Hall of Fame. She also participated in the Leadership Atlanta class of 2025, working with other locals on community-based projects.

Those leadership and networking skills date back to her time on the Plains.

“Auburn does a fantastic job teaching students the importance of building your reputation and brand,” she said. “Even though the construction industry is large, relationships are really important, and the BSCI cohort model where students interact with professors, industry partners and each other provided me with a solid baseline.”

Now, Gallagher is on the other side of that student-professional mentorship model, serving as the chair of the BSCI Industry Executive Board and assisting the School with reviewing and revising the curriculum to keep it at the forefront of construction education. She and her colleagues at Holder are present at every BSCI Career Fair and often share their expertise with students in class visits and preparation for competitions.

“I really enjoy meeting students and learning about their goals,” she said. “It’s nice to get to know them outside of formal interview settings.”