Mealii Seanoa-Sanchez, commonly known as May, is the Regional Safety Manager for Granite Construction in Southern California. Her region spans Ventura, Palmdale, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. May’s journey into the construction industry began quite unexpectedly. With a degree in Health Care Administration, she started her career at UCI Medical Center, working in safety.
Mealii Seanoa-Sanchez | Regional Safety Manager | Granite Construction
Initially, her role involved training programs including new hire orientation for the campus of 4000+ members and participating in The Joint Commission Emergency Management Program and weekly EHS hazard identification medical center assessments. Her transition into construction came when Hensel Phelps was awarded a contract to build the new UCIMC hospital. A former college classmate working at Hensel Phelps introduced her to the world of vertical construction. After several interviews, May joined the company and began started a new career in construction safety. At EliteX, we are proud to have Mealii Seanoa-Sanchez as part of Impactful Women in Construction, 2024.
Her first role in the industry was a Safety Engineer at Hensel Phelps. Despite her extensive safety experience at UCIMC, she quickly learned that safety in construction was different from safety in a hospital setting. In construction, communicating OSHA regulations effectively required more than just quoting policies; it involved a nuanced approach. One memorable lesson came during her first year when she tried to enforce safety protocols with a structural steel ironworker. Her blunt approach failed to make an impact until her Superintendent provided feedback on how to better communicate with the workers.
Over the years, May has witnessed significant changes in the construction industry. Early in her career, safety professionals often faced resistance from tradesmen who viewed them as obstacles to productivity. The industry culture at the time often ignored safety regulations. However, companies like Hensel Phelps were pioneers in promoting safety and driving change. May’s persistence, coupled with practical safety programs from industry leaders, eventually led to a shift in attitudes toward safety. Today, the construction industry has made substantial progress in adopting safety protocols. New standards and regulations, such as T8 1711 and heat illness prevention plans, have become common. Safety professionals now focus more on building relationships and empowering workers to prioritize safety. Programs that include rewards and recognition, safety team building, and mandatory safety leadership training are becoming standard practice, initiating a significant evolution from the industry’s early attitudes toward safety.
“The true legacy I hope to leave is not just in the projects I’ve worked on but in the positive impact I’ve made on the people I’ve worked with.” – Mealii Seanoa-Sanchez
May Seanoa-Sanchez has had a diverse and impactful career in construction, with several projects standing out as particularly significant to her professional growth. Among these, the Kaiser Anaheim project was a highlight where she gained valuable knowledge about Subpart R and structural steel, which proved useful in subsequent projects like SoFi Stadium, Intuit Dome, and the LA Memorial Coliseum. At MLK Medical Center, May learned the importance of working with the community and understanding Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and local hire requirements. Her experience at LAX, where she completed three projects, deepened her understanding of stringent FAA regulations designed to ensure traveller safety. May’s work on large-scale sports area projects such as SoFi Stadium, Intuit Dome, LA Memorial Coliseum, and Acrisure Arena taught her how to collaborate effectively within a Joint Venture and with expansive project teams. She also learned the value of engaging with local communities during residential high-rise projects in Downtown Los Angeles. Her role with an international developer provided insights into partnering with general contractors and promoting safety programs that focus on rewards and recognition rather than lagging indicators. Her experience with heavy civil projects have increased her knowledge in aggregate production and placement while addressing the hazard of working on highways, airport taxiways, and federal ports.
A particularly memorable project for May was the MLK project, where she met her husband. They bonded over their work, leading to a relationship that blossomed into marriage just over a year later. This project holds a special place in her heart, and it’s always a pleasure for her to recall how her professional journey intertwined with her personal life. Throughout her career, May has faced numerous challenges as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry. When she first started, women in construction were often seen as weak or a distraction. She faced inappropriate comments and advances from male colleagues, and experienced frequent dismissive attitudes. To overcome these challenges, May focused on self-education and resilience. She diligently studied construction processes, seeking to understand the industry’s language and systematic practices. She confronted inappropriate behavior directly and made it clear that she would not tolerate harassment. By committing to further understanding of how the industry operated and actively participating in safety organizations, May earned respect within the industry and was regarded amongst her peers.
“Women in construction should not expect special treatment; instead, they should prepare to face challenges head-on and embrace the hard work with passion.” – Mealii Seanoa-Sanchez
May’s approach involved creating policies and training programs that focused on leading indicators and relationships between management and craft. She engaged with field workers regularly, addressing their concerns and working collaboratively to find practical solutions. Her focus shifted from merely enforcing standards to building trust and facilitating meaningful conversations about safety. By starting with leaders and working together to implement positive changes, May transformed safety practices and gained the support from upper management. May Seanoa-Sanchez is committed to encouraging more women to pursue careers in construction. She believes that starting early is crucial. During her time as a mentor at MAGIC Camp, she worked with high school girls to show them that construction offers a rewarding career path, even if it doesn’t involve a traditional college degree. By teaching young women the basics of using tools, reading drawings, and understanding the hierarchy of controls in the industry, she aims to spark their interest with a fun interactive approach. She also suggests having women represent the construction field at college career fairs to inspire more female students to consider majors like Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Occupational Safety & Health. May emphasizes the importance of mentors to help young women navigate the early years of their careers.
Throughout her career, May has been deeply influenced by her mentors, particularly Superintendents. They taught her not just about how to build but how to seamlessly integrate safety into daily work. She learned that safety isn’t always straightforward and must adapt to the evolving nature of construction projects. By working closely with Superintendents, May has been able to anticipate and address safety hazards before they become issues in the field using safety preventative practices. Many of these Superintendents have become friends as well as mentors, highlighting the importance of building strong professional relationships. For success in the construction industry, May believes that Safety Managers must first understand the how to build. Knowing the details of construction work, such as pour schedules, MEP installations, and crane operations, helps in planning effective safety measures. Additionally, understanding how to read project schedules and drawings is essential for creating relevant safety documentation and provide training to craft.
Balancing her career with personal life is important to May. She and her husband, a Structural Steel Ironworker, support each other’s demanding schedules. They enjoy simple pleasures like watching Dodger baseball, international travel, riding bikes along the beach, and spending time with loved ones. May also finds joy in creative outlets such as painting illustrating for a children’s book and calendar, Polynesian dancing and playing ukulele. She believes that balancing work and personal life comes down to working hard and appreciating the simple joys. To young women considering a career in construction, May advises them to be prepared for challenges and not expect special treatment. She encourages them to thoroughly research how to build and be ready to answer tough questions and back up your response. The demanding nature of the job, including long hours and exposure to the elements, can be tough, but she assures them that the satisfaction of seeing a finished project makes it all worthwhile.
“Safety is not black and white; it requires understanding the nuances of each project and communicating effectively with the team.” – Mealii Seanoa-Sanchez
May is deeply involved in supporting women in construction through various initiatives and organizations. She has been a member of WiOps (Women in Construction Operations) since its early days, participating in their monthly events that focus on networking, learning, and building support systems for women in the industry. May has also served as a guest speaker at the WIC Western Region Conference and NAWIC LA, where she has shared her expertise and insights on safety. Additionally, she has contributed as a mentor at the Orange County MAGIC Camp (NAWIC Mentoring A Girl In Construction, OC Chapter), where she has helped guide young women starting their careers in construction. Diversity and inclusion are essential for the success of the construction industry, according to May. Her mother’s experience as a Deputy Battalion Chief for Cal Fire taught her the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges her mother faced due to affirmative action, she learned to maintain her composure and excel at her profession. May believes that the ongoing efforts to promote women in construction have allowed women to have careers that respect their abilities rather than conforming to traditional male-dominated standards. She aims to empower young women by sharing her story and giving advice of how to succeed in the industry.
To stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in construction, May relies on her strong network of allies across various companies. She remains engaged with these contacts to learn about new innovations. She is also a member of the AGC California chapter and subscribes to NSC Safety & Health Expo and magazine. Additionally, May attends national safety conferences every other year, depending on her schedule, to stay connected with industry professionals and advancements. Looking ahead, May is optimistic about the future for women in construction. She’s excited that more women are pursuing degrees and careers in construction management, civil engineering, safety, and environmental management. The increasing awareness from organizations and a more accepting societal attitude toward women in construction roles are positive signs. May is committed to supporting young women entering this challenging and rewarding industry.
Ultimately, May hopes to leave a legacy through the stories and challenges she has overcome. She has worked on iconic projects and values the collaboration between the office and field. Her goal is to inspire her nieces and other young women to tackle challenges with determination and find fulfilment in solving problems. The greatest compliment for her is being remembered as someone who was “strict but fair,” displaying her dedication to both safety excellence and fairness towards others.
