Joyce's Story: Teacher & Trailblazer

Episode Description

In this episode of Breaking Ground: Women in AEC Leadership, host Reanna Dempsey sits down with Joyce Watson, CPSM, Principal of Marketing at Cleary Zimmermann Engineers. Joyce shares her unconventional path from teaching special education to becoming the firm’s first female principal. She reflects on the importance of seizing opportunities, building expertise, and developing confidence as a leader. Joyce highlights how mentorship, specialization, and staying committed shaped her career. With candor and humor (including her love of the Backstreet Boys and even getting married at the office), Joyce illustrates how authenticity, persistence, and playing to one’s strengths can pave the way for leadership success in the industry.

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