Jackie Erbe

Design Draw Build
Director of Construction

10+ Years
in the Industry

How did you get started in the AEC Industry?

I took a circuitous journey into the AEC industry. I have a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) at UC Berkeley and worked in healthcare operations at Kaiser Permanente. My role at Kaiser involved reviewing and providing input on hospital and medical office renovation plans. During my time with Kaiser, the organization completed a massive project to replace an aging hospital with a newly constructed hospital, medical office building, utility plant, and parking garage. I was deeply involved with the construction of this project. I spent many hours working with the new build construction team in the years leading up to the 2014 opening of the new hospital.

After the hospital construction was complete, I wasn’t ready to be done with construction. I decided to fully transition into construction from my operations role. And the rest, as they say, is history. First, I moved into managing sustainability upgrades for the medical center (lighting upgrades, solar projects) and then into a role working for Kaiser Permanente’s in-house general contractor. After a decade in health care, I was ready to move into a different industry. I worked for a local developer for about four years doing multifamily residential and entitlements for large commercial projects.

A couple of years ago, I transitioned to my current role as Director of Construction at Design Draw Build (DDB). At DDB, I get to spend most of my time managing the construction wing of the business – recognizing the team’s skills and managing staffing for each project accordingly, engaging with clients for business development, organizing schedules for various trades and stakeholders, estimating costs for new projects, contributing to the holistic firm vision, spontaneously troubleshooting issues customary to the construction world, and ensuring we are always iteratively progressing as a company.

What inspires you to design? Do you incorporate any unique perspectives or values into your designs, and how do you think your experiences as a woman influence your work?

I’m a builder and being a woman in the construction industry definitely impacts my work life and approach to it. As a woman, I have frequently encountered situations in personal and professional spaces where people underestimate my knowledge or assume incompetence with technical information related to the build process. I ensure that my clients don’t have these types of experiences, which is why I place a big emphasis on clear communication so that we are always “bringing along” everyone in the project. My experiences have wired me to not make assumptions about a person’s level of knowledge during a project and I am inherently careful to not be dismissive of anyone during construction.

Who have your role models been? Have you had any mentors throughout your career, and how have they shaped your journey in architecture?

I have had a handful of role models and mentors throughout my career. All have accelerated my professional growth but one woman in particular stands out. Not because of a lesson she taught me. Instead, she led by example, showing me that a major career change is possible. When I was considering the transition into construction, she was there to encourage me. She provided practical advice on changing careers and tempered realistic expectations of what the process would look like. Without her guidance, encouragement, and willingness to share experiences from her journey, I may have never taken the leap of faith into construction and I might not be doing what I’m doing today.

How do you think architecture can help address social issues, and how have you seen women lead the way in creating inclusive, equitable spaces?

So many human issues can be addressed with the built environment. The creation of affordable housing, community centers, libraries, schools, parks, and many other socially impactful spaces are so much of what is needed to affect sustainable change. Building the actual physical spaces is the most permanent way to address social issues in our state, country, and the world at large. The location and design of these spaces often have a significant impact on women and girls, influencing their sense of safety and the ability to meet their specific needs.

How do you see the conversation on sustainability going in our industry?

I have seen the emphasis on sustainability slowly increase over the years. I still feel like in many situations, the sustainable construction that happens is what is forced by code requirements. However, as we see more extreme weather events and the impacts of climate change, we’re seeing more emphasis on rebuilding smarter with resiliency as a priority. With more sustainable materials, better energy efficiency models, and a deeper consideration of future flood and fire risks the built environment is moving towards a more sustainable paradigm.

I foresee this becoming more of a focus with time as extreme weather events become increasingly frequent. Architects and builders who are adaptable and use more sustainable and climate-responsive building practices will have more successful projects.

What has been the most fulfilling moment of your career so far, and how did it shape your professional journey?

The most fulfilling moment of my career? That’s a tough one! I've found the greatest fulfillment in moments of shared success—those times when I could step back, take in the team around me, and feel a deep sense of pride in what we had accomplished together. That’s the best kind of feeling.

These moments have shaped my professional journey, especially as a leader. They’ve reinforced the power of teamwork and the adage, If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. I've worked hard throughout my career, but it’s working with others that has led to the most meaningful success.

Now, I have the privilege of mentoring others and building teams. Those shared successes have instilled in me a deep appreciation for what makes a team thrive and have shaped my approach to creating environments where others can grow, contribute, and experience that same fulfillment through shared success.

Tell us about some of your favorite projects you’ve worked on.

My favorite projects are the ones that incorporate the most fun and whimsy. Recently, I worked on an extensive remodel of a private home in the Bay Area. We remodeled the entire interior space, built a pool house, and installed an incredible infinity edge pool. The pool has a massive 8+ foot high waterfall that cascades into a basin surrounded by creative hardscaping made with boulders salvaged from the site and custom rock work including a rock wall. These design moments are amazingly fun for the family’s kids. The space feels both elevated and also serves as a family playground – a balance I wouldn’t have thought possible. The clients were spectacular to work with and the outcome of the project was even better than the drawings and my imagination.

What advice would you give women just entering the industry?

Working in construction and with the various trades is an incredibly rewarding career. Don’t be discouraged or intimidated by the fact that construction is still a very male-dominated profession. There are plenty of opportunities for anyone with good communication and relationship-building skills. People who enjoy a career that involves a lot of problem-solving and adaptability are perfectly suited for the AEC industry.

Women already in the industry are typically very excited about seeing younger women interested in the field and can be great mentors. If you’re considering entering the industry, reach out to other women and let them know you’re interested. Seek women in the trade of your interests or in local construction groups to get connected with other like-minded people. There is always community for those seeking it.