October 15, 2025
This year, Hispanic Heritage month and Construction Inclusion Week, both celebratory events meaningful to the Port and the Diversity in Contracting team, are occurring at a similar time and even overlapping. Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed from September 15 to October 15 this year, recognizes the important contributions of Hispanic culture and people to the nation’s achievements, culture, and history. Construction Inclusion Week, observed from October 13 to 17 this year, focuses on promoting opportunities in the construction industry and enhancing the experience of all construction professionals.
It was with great excitement that our team interviewed the Port’s very own Yanet Maldonado, Construction Contracting Manager, who stands at the intersection of both. Having arrived twelve years ago to the Port and starting in an administrative role, she has since risen to her current position where she is responsible for continuous process improvement and managing change while providing leadership to 16 construction procurement officers.
We hope you enjoy learning from Yanet as much as we did in our wide-ranging conversation that included talking about her experience on construction sites, how the Port supports small businesses including Hispanic businesses, and her advice for women wanting to get in the construction field as well as business owners looking to work with the Port.
Background
Tell us a little bit about your professional background and what you do at the Port
I’m a manager at the Port’s Central Procurement Office for the construction contracting group. My first job was with a homebuilder in Mercer Island as a HomeBuilder Representative, which included working on on-site change orders, meeting with customers, choosing their final finishes for their brand-new home. It was a fun experience that helped me get my job at Leo A Daly (Architecture, Engineering and Interiors) in Washington, DC. I was there for five years as a project assistant with the construction team before becoming the office manager. There, I found my niche in construction design.
After that, I was hired as a senior administrative assistant at AECOM, in Virginia. I provided assistance on design services and guide specifications, which is a big part of what I do now. After my first son was born, I moved back to the Seattle area to be with family. I have been in the Central Procurement Office ever since- going on 12 years exactly and continue to love my career path in procurement.
Construction Inclusion
What has your professional experience been like with your identity as a woman and person of color?
It was hard when I was on the field. With the homebuilder, I’d have to go onsite and verify that the upgrades chosen by the buyer were being installed and confirmed in a new home. During site visits, I was often the only woman present, and the environment was challenging. I frequently experienced unprofessional behavior—such as being hit on or handed phone numbers—despite maintaining a professional demeanor. It made the work environment uncomfortable.
In another instance at a former employer, I was moving a table for a conference setup and instead of helping me, the Director said “that’s how I like my women, doing hard work” and walked away. I will never forget how uncomfortable and demeaning that felt.
I never want anyone to go through those situations which is why I am proud to work at the Port where we make our RAISE values (Respect, Anti-racism and Equity, Integrity, Stewardship, and Excellence) the center of what we do, and know that we have support if those situations happen again.
For women who want to be in the construction field, what advice would you give?
Start early. Find a mentor, attend informational sessions for our local trade partners so you understand the work. If you know what you’re talking about and you know your trade, you stand on that. Start early and become the go-to professional in your trade. I’ve worked with construction managers who are women while doing site interviews- either with the Port or with consultants, and they know their work.
I have a cousin who does Line Work in Washington. Most line women work for utility companies installing, maintaining, and repairing power systems. Their jobs can involve working on electrical cables or telecommunications lines above or below ground. With skilled labor shortages and opportunities, now is the time for more women to consider working in the trades. Women bring different perspectives and strengths to any job.
What kind of construction needs does the Port have?
The Port always has construction needs which have a wide range of locations and contracting requirements. Since last year, CPO Construction has awarded 73 construction contracts, some of which included tight deadlines to be completed before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Some of the construction needs are met through the Port’s internal construction teams: Port Construction Services, the Aviation Maintenance crew, and Marine Maintenance crew. They jump in when we don’t have a contract to cover a construction need- for example, when larger contracts need preparation work before starting a project or if there is work that needs to be done immediately.
They’re hardworking crews that operate quietly in the background. These teams collaborate with small business contractors which often requires time and energy to help them navigate the Port’s stringent construction requirements.
Where would you like to see the construction industry go?
I would like to see a continuation of apprenticeship requirements efforts and WMBE requirements, which is something the Port does already. There is a low number of women in the trades, and I’d love to see those numbers go up- through mentoring in high school, helping girls envision themselves in the trades and see that the trades are no longer just for men. When I think of women pioneers in trades, I think of Lindsay Pulsifer, Maritime Division Managing Director, now retired, who started as a crane operator and then eventually became the director of the Port’s Waterfront Department. I also think of Beth Britz, who has a long career in construction and is now the Assistant Director in PCS Construction Operations, working with a labor work construction crew made up of 7 collective bargaining units.
With more than 2,500 construction workers in Washington nearing retirement, we, as a community, have an opportunity to make the construction workforce proportionally represent women, who currently only constitute 4.3% of the construction workforce in Washington. Women feel discouraged from pursuing trade careers because of harassment and outdated gender stereotypes. There are some improvements that can be made including providing adequate PPE for women’s body proportions, and ensuring that discrimination is not tolerated on work sites and that the work environment is one that is truly inclusive.
Hispanic Heritage
How have you seen the Port support diverse businesses, Hispanic businesses, and small businesses?
In the construction contracting department, we help small diverse business owners who are doing business with the Port for the first time. Our small contracts are low-bid (award goes to lowest bidder), and it is incredibly tough for a small business to make it worth their while financially on a low-bid contract. Once they get through the first step, the procurement officers do one-on-one work to help them through the process. The Central Procurement Office also attends the PortGen events with the Diversity and Contracting team to reach out to the community about procurement opportunities. I see how much work Diversity and Contracting puts into the PortGen presentations to make it worthwhile for the small businesses.
At least once or twice a year, I have meetings with Hispanic business owners for whom English is their second language. I meet with them in-person to show them VendorConnect, to let them know how procurement process works and where to go to for information- all of the things that Diversity in Contracting provides to diverse and small businesses but which I translate in Spanish. Soon, CPO will be communication using a translation services app to improve our outreach to business that speak other languages.
Our goal in CPO is to see small businesses be able to start on a small contract or as subcontractors, then gain the experience they need to bid on larger projects.
Why is it important that the Port connects with Hispanic businesses, WMBE firms, and small businesses in general?
It’s important because the Port represents the community. I want to make sure that we reach out to anybody who is a small business owner. For the Hispanic business owners, I can go into the office and have these one-on-one meetings and I would invite anybody else at the Port to have those one-on-ones with small businesses to help understand our business.
The Latinos Unidos Employee Resource Group had a presentation at the Duwamish Valley Hub earlier this year where we talked to students about careers and doing business with the Port. We also connected with parents who were interested in working at the Port or who had businesses that wanted to hear more about the Port. The Hub is a huge asset which allows us to be with members of the community. We’d like others at the Port to be empowered to do the same for their communities – inviting them to the PortGen events and sharing information about the Port.
What impact do you think it makes to have Hispanic employees and Hispanic leadership at the Port?
It’s about being represented. When I first started, 12 years ago, I believe it was 2.5% of Port employees identified as Hispanic and recently it has grown to 8.5%. The Port’s RAISE values includes representing the community that we operate in and serve. Our community includes the people out there building, repairing our buildings, working for the airlines, putting food on the planes, and baggage operators. All of them are part of our community and that’s who the Port should represent- including in our leadership which is visible in our elected Port of Seattle Commission.
The Port has been supportive of the Latinos Unidos Employee Resource Group and I am grateful that our leaders are listening during these hard times for our Hispanic/Latino communities.
What would you recommend people do to observe Hispanic Heritage Month?
I think an easy way to celebrate is to learn more about our culture and customs by attending one of the many events around town celebrating Hispanic Heritage. There is the annual Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias event at the Seattle Center with dances, food, and kids’ activities. Latinos Unidos Employee Resource Group is part of the Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias Parade in South Park, which you are all invited to participate in as well! Another way to celebrate is by purchasing from Hispanic businesses for that month- markets, bakeries, and restaurants.
Concluding Thoughts
What is something that has made the biggest difference in your career?
I really feel like I was coached up by each Manager I have had at my career here at the Port. Something important I learned from my previous manager when I was promoted as a supervisor was to focus on getting to know the people first, not to worry about changing things in the work. Everybody’s different and some people are naturally great with those soft skills but that was something I needed to improve on and I appreciated the honest feedback.
To me coaching up is important. When I say coaching up, I mean: "Focusing on how a situation could be improved rather than what went wrong. Asking, 'How can I support you?' and making it an opportunity for lessons learned to share with the rest of your team—using them to build growth."
I’ve known some members of my team for twelve years (I was their admin and they trained me on contracts) which makes me invested in their growth, and they also love sharing their knowledge with the newer members.
Is there anything else that you would like to share?
Absolutely. Whether you're just starting out, fresh out of college, a minority navigating new spaces, or even a seasoned professional, my biggest piece of advice is: get a mentor.
- There's always more to learn, no matter where you are in your journey
- Even as a manager, I don't have all the answers
- And often, it's not the technical skills we struggle with - it's the soft skills:
- How to communicate effectively
- How to navigate difficult conversations
- How to lead with empathy
- How to build relationships and influence without authority
A mentor can help you see your blind spots, challenge your thinking, and guide you through the unspoken rules of professional growth.
