“Women bring a fresh perspective to the construction industry," said
Meagan Benson. “We tend to look at it from a different angle, and I think that makes our team at Opus stronger."
With over 18 years of commercial construction and design experience, Meagan is passionate about building and nurturing client relationships while ensuring that projects are implemented according to plan.
“I wanted to be a cross between Norm Abrams and Bob Vila – and I told everyone I knew," she said. “My parents bought me a toolset and a mini drafting desk for Christmas when I was in the fourth grade. I remember sitting with my grandmother many times talking about houses, and I'd sketch them out in detail. It wasn't the furniture or finishing touches that interested me. It was the meat and bones of the house."
At ten years old, Meagan built a backyard play fort with her dad, complete with sheetrock walls, electricity and windows. “He was a handy guy," said Meagan. “And I was interested in what he was building. While I was growing up, he was really the one who sparked my interest in construction. He taught me a lot."
In 2005 she joined Opus as an Architectural Intern. In May 2008, she was asked to transfer to Washington, D.C. to support the Opus team on a project. It was there that she made the transition from as architecture to construction, becoming an Associate Project Manager, until the recession hit. Meagan spent the next few years working for residential builders and on the real estate side of the telecom industry. She returned to Opus as a Project Manager in 2020.
“I jumped at the chance to come back to Opus," said Meagan. “I knew from my previous time here that the Opus culture and the encouragement they give to their employees to pursue their passion was one-of-a-kind.
To help make that happen, Meagan co-chairs the Opus Women's Network, a group that empowers and fosters the development of women at Opus through connections, learning and advocacy.
“In addition to supporting women, it helps enrich our overall Opus culture," said Meagan.
Meagan also co-chairs Future Builders, a collaboration between Opus and the Opus Foundation® to introduce and prepare youth for careers in construction.
Last summer, Meagan and the Future Builders group volunteered at the Girl Scouts Power Girls camp in partnership with Dunwoody College of Technology and Construction Careers Foundation. Power Girls is a six-day resident camp and year-round program that provides an immersive trades experience for girls.
“For many of the girls, it was their first exposure to power tools," said Meagan. “They were able to work with women in the construction industry to practice reading plans and getting hands-on trade skills."
“Last fall, I started teaching an Introduction to Construction course at Dunwoody," she said. “I feel like I've been in the construction industry long enough that I'm ready to share my knowledge with others. My goal is to show that, even though it's historically been a male industry, construction is a wonderful career path for women."
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Meagan is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Design-Build Institute of America and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber. Outside of work, you'll likely find her doing something creative or construction related. She enjoys refinishing and upcycling furniture, and her latest project is designing and building a custom vent hood for her kitchen because “I want something very specific," she said. “I build things, take things apart, and make new things out of old things. I'm pretty sure I have more power tools in my garage than most men."
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Our associates are talented, dedicated and knowledgeable. They streamline complex projects and always deliver value to clients. Read more profiles of our team.
With over 18 years of commercial construction and design experience, Meagan is passionate about building and nurturing client relationships while ensuring that projects are implemented according to plan.
Starting in Construction Early
Meagan was bit by the construction bug early, and it started in the unlikeliest of places. Television. As a kid, she was captivated by This Old House and watched Bob Vila's Home Again show on a regular basis.“I wanted to be a cross between Norm Abrams and Bob Vila – and I told everyone I knew," she said. “My parents bought me a toolset and a mini drafting desk for Christmas when I was in the fourth grade. I remember sitting with my grandmother many times talking about houses, and I'd sketch them out in detail. It wasn't the furniture or finishing touches that interested me. It was the meat and bones of the house."
At ten years old, Meagan built a backyard play fort with her dad, complete with sheetrock walls, electricity and windows. “He was a handy guy," said Meagan. “And I was interested in what he was building. While I was growing up, he was really the one who sparked my interest in construction. He taught me a lot."
Joining the Opus Team
It shouldn't come as a surprise, then, that Meagan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from the University of Wisconsin. She went on to earn a Master of Fine Art in Historic Preservation from the Savannah College of Art and Design.In 2005 she joined Opus as an Architectural Intern. In May 2008, she was asked to transfer to Washington, D.C. to support the Opus team on a project. It was there that she made the transition from as architecture to construction, becoming an Associate Project Manager, until the recession hit. Meagan spent the next few years working for residential builders and on the real estate side of the telecom industry. She returned to Opus as a Project Manager in 2020.
“I jumped at the chance to come back to Opus," said Meagan. “I knew from my previous time here that the Opus culture and the encouragement they give to their employees to pursue their passion was one-of-a-kind.
Sharing Her Passion
“In our office breakroom, there's a photo of the Minneapolis skyline," said Meagan. “There are seven Opus buildings in that photo. Every time I look at it, it gives me such pride and a feeling of legacy. I want more women to feel that and be a part of what we are doing at Opus."To help make that happen, Meagan co-chairs the Opus Women's Network, a group that empowers and fosters the development of women at Opus through connections, learning and advocacy.
“In addition to supporting women, it helps enrich our overall Opus culture," said Meagan.
Meagan also co-chairs Future Builders, a collaboration between Opus and the Opus Foundation® to introduce and prepare youth for careers in construction.
Last summer, Meagan and the Future Builders group volunteered at the Girl Scouts Power Girls camp in partnership with Dunwoody College of Technology and Construction Careers Foundation. Power Girls is a six-day resident camp and year-round program that provides an immersive trades experience for girls.
“For many of the girls, it was their first exposure to power tools," said Meagan. “They were able to work with women in the construction industry to practice reading plans and getting hands-on trade skills."
Teaching the Next Generation
Meagan is grateful for the coaching and support she's received throughout her career from women leaders at Opus like Beth Duyvejonck. Now, Meagan is paying it forward by adding the title Adjunct Professor to her resume.“Last fall, I started teaching an Introduction to Construction course at Dunwoody," she said. “I feel like I've been in the construction industry long enough that I'm ready to share my knowledge with others. My goal is to show that, even though it's historically been a male industry, construction is a wonderful career path for women."
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Meagan is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Design-Build Institute of America and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber. Outside of work, you'll likely find her doing something creative or construction related. She enjoys refinishing and upcycling furniture, and her latest project is designing and building a custom vent hood for her kitchen because “I want something very specific," she said. “I build things, take things apart, and make new things out of old things. I'm pretty sure I have more power tools in my garage than most men."
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Our associates are talented, dedicated and knowledgeable. They streamline complex projects and always deliver value to clients. Read more profiles of our team.