Amy Kennedy

Relentless Ally

Excellence Through Inclusion

Amy Kennedy is an expert at managing prolific and sensitive projects. With a diverse portfolio that includes entertainment, hospitality, multi-family and senior living facilities, she excels at leading intricate, multi-phased projects. During her time with the business, Amy has been an integral member of 24 project teams responsible for delivering more than $2.9 billion in work in Central Florida.

As vice president in Central Florida, Amy is a leader in winning work, oversees strategic accounts and manages best-in-class teams. She is a widely respected, inclusive and connected leader who is passionate about giving others the opportunity to experience the same success she has enjoyed throughout her career.

An Industry Fit

To speak with her today, it’s hard to believe there was a time when Amy wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. Unlike many of her peers in the industry, Amy had never been exposed to construction growing up and hadn’t considered it as her career path until it was time for college.

Amy’s mother recognized from a young age that her daughter would not be satisfied with a desk job—she needed something more hands-on. She arranged a day for Amy to shadow a family friend who owned a commercial construction company, and the rest is history.

“I didn’t know half of what I was looking at or listening to,” Amy recalls. “But I could tell that every day would be new and different and that my love for problem solving would be well-suited for this industry.”

From Mentee to Mentor

Amy went on to study construction science and management at Clemson University and joined Balfour Beatty as a project engineer in 2000. Her first experience in the industry was delivering a major hospitality project in Orlando, Florida. That project proved to be formative not only for establishing Amy within the business, but also for determining how she would go on to build, support and develop teammates through people-first leadership.

“I was given a lot of responsibility from my very first day on the job,” Amy explains. “From day one, I was surrounded by people who wanted to support me and guide me as I was navigating the industry. My breadth of knowledge grew exponentially on that first project.”

As she has moved up in the business from project engineer to vice president of operations, Amy has placed a high priority on mentorship, helping the more junior members of her team by giving them high levels of responsibility then guiding them as they navigate projects.

“I’ve been really fortunate to have wonderful mentors throughout my career,” Amy says. “As I continue to climb the ladder, it’s important for me to help elevate those coming in behind me.”

Collaborating to Elevate Entertainment and Hospitality

Amy’s collaborative mindset has led to the success of many projects, including the unparalleled entertainment and hospitality experiences she has become an expert in building. To create these community-anchoring establishments, Amy not only assembles teams of experts committed to operational excellence, but she also works alongside longstanding, local trade partners to achieve the client’s vision.

“Painters, electricians, and framers all serve any type of building construction, but the demands of hospitality and entertainment construction are unique and particular,” Amy affirms. “To build the best tourist attractions, we work hand-in-hand with our best, longstanding trade allies.”

From upgrading and expanding attractions for premier entertainment companies to breathing new life into the Hyatt Regency Orlando (formerly The Peabody Orlando), Amy is a pro at setting the foundation for exciting experiences.

Leveling the Field

Today, Amy is leading Balfour Beatty’s largest active project in our Central Florida market in the hospitality and entertainment sector. She has also led the Florida chapter of the company’s employee affinity group, Connecting Women, for the last two years. Under her guidance, the group has hosted speakers, organized volunteer events and provided networking opportunities for the women of Balfour Beatty.

For Amy, every day is another opportunity – a chance to learn, a chance to grow and a chance to lift someone else up. In her mind this is all just part of the job that she loves, but for those who have been inspired or mentored by Amy, she’s doing much more than that.

Through her work and her example, Amy is a role model, leveling the field for everyone.