EG America

Rita Murray

Construction Quality Steward

Rita Murray, Director of Construction at EG America, draws on her journey from operations to leadership, building diverse teams, making fact based decisions under pressure, and preparing the construction sector for rapid change through trust, accountability, and sustainable innovation.

Leadership Shaped Through Experience

Progressing from operations and project management into my role as Director of Construction has given me a deeper understanding of what effective leadership requires. One lesson has had the greatest influence on my career. The strongest teams are built on diverse strengths rather than having everyone think or work the same way. Different perspectives, technical expertise, communication styles and problem-solving abilities create stronger collaboration and lead to better decisions throughout a project.

Building high-performing teams begins with trust, accountability and open communication. Construction projects bring together people with different backgrounds and areas of expertise, making mutual respect essential to success. I encourage an environment where everyone feels valued and confident enough to contribute ideas because meaningful collaboration produces stronger results for both the team and the project.

Decision-making requires balancing competing priorities without losing sight of the bigger picture. I evaluate every situation based on its impact on safety, quality, schedule and budget before making a decision. Input from key stakeholders, combined with facts and available data, helps me make informed choices instead of reacting to immediate pressure. Maintaining that perspective has been essential to delivering successful projects in an industry where conditions can change quickly.

Leading Through Change

Construction continues to evolve at a rapid pace and I believe adaptability will become even more important in the years ahead. Artificial intelligence is creating opportunities to improve efficiency while sustainability continues to influence project planning, construction methods and longterm performance. I believe leaders who embrace innovation while remaining focused on practical execution will be better prepared for the future.

Looking back on my career, I would encourage aspiring construction and project management professionals to stay open to new opportunities and never hesitate to step outside their comfort zone. Many of the lessons that shaped my leadership came from hands-on experience rather than formal training. Taking on unfamiliar challenges and learning through real-world situations has helped me grow professionally and personally. Curiosity, continuous learning and a willingness to embrace new experiences have been some of the most valuable tools throughout my career.