Employee Spotlight: Makeda Bryant
July 29, 2024
Makeda, our vibrant Administrative Assistant at SMF's Virginia Beach office, has been igniting our team with her positive energy for two years. As the first person our staff encounter each morning, Makeda infuses the office with humor, vivacity, and an unwavering commitment to setting the stage for the team's success.
Makeda Bryant
Administrative Assistant
EDUCATION
A.A.S. Administrative Support Technology
CONTACT MAKEDA
Makeda at SMF
Embarking on her professional journey armed with an Associate of Applied Science degree in admin support technology from TCC, Makeda's career in administrative roles dates back to 2009. Originally drawn to the culinary arts, her passion led her to culinary school before she ultimately found her calling in administration. Makeda's diverse experiences in administrative, payroll, and accounting roles for both a commercial HVAC company and a residential structural engineer uniquely equipped her for her role at SMF.
Makeda's transition to SMF stemmed from her desire to thrive in a small business-like atmosphere after experiencing the corporate transformation of her previous employer. As fate would have it, Makeda found herself at SMF, drawn to our diverse portfolio and impactful projects.
Illuminating the Office
In her day-to-day at SMF, Makeda thrives on the dynamic nature of her role. Actively engaging with her colleagues, she meticulously tends to their needs while orchestrating the seamless flow of fee proposals, specs, and job notes. Serving as the anchor for the office's logistical operations, she expertly handles all mail and packages, ensuring a well-equipped workspace that is conducive to efficiency and productivity.
With a fondness for meaningful conversations, Makeda gracefully fields and directs phone calls, building rapport with clients and fostering enduring relationships. Her meticulous attention to detail upholds order and organization, guaranteeing that the office functions smoothly. The ever-present, joy-inducing candy jar she supplies endlessly brightens colleague's days.
In embracing our mission to Restructure the Norm, Makeda embodies adaptation, perpetually seeking avenues for improvement and growth. Her commitment to always learning and improving shines through in her proactive efforts to make our workplace better for everyone.
Personal Insights & Inspirations
Makeda finds immense value in the unique resources provided at SMF, including the company-provided fitness membership. Additionally, she cherishes the monthly "First Friday" gatherings where the team convenes to foster camaraderie and collectively cultivate professional growth. These initiatives align with SMF's commitment to facilitating a supportive and nurturing work environment, emphasizing not only professional development but also the holistic well-being of its team members.
Makeda takes immense pride in her innate ability to harmoniously connect with her colleagues, becoming an invaluable part of our dynamic team. Makeda firmly believes that a welcoming smile can make a transformative difference. Her profound familiarity with the intricacies of our team equips her to manage, adapt, and plan for alternate possibilities. Above all, she continuously strives to develop a sense of reliability, ensuring that she remains a dependable pillar upon which our team can lean.
Drawing from her valuable experience, Makeda shares words of wisdom for those embarking on similar roles. First and foremost, she emphasizes the importance of embracing active listening for effective collaboration and understanding. Furthermore, she encourages newcomers to recognize the need to ask questions, as in the A/E/C industry answers are not always neatly laid out. Makeda firmly advocates for learning industry-specific terminology to seamlessly integrate within the team.
Makeda draws inspiration from President Danny Speight and Partner Wadetta Saunders. Danny's remarkable journey from a humble background to founding a successful company exemplifies resilience and determination. He treats all with respect and remains genuine and down-to-earth. Wadetta's awe-inspiring ascent from an administrative role to Partner is particularly empowering for Makeda as a woman of color in a similar professional landscape.
Celebrating Life's Milestones
In her free time, Makeda continues to indulge in her love for culinary pursuits, expressing her creativity through cooking and baking. She delights in crafting exquisite pasta dishes and flavorsome Mexican cuisine. Recently, she has ventured into the realm of wholesome, vegetable-centric recipes.
She continues to flex her creative muscles with painting and coloring. In the summer months you can catch her soaking up the sun on our sandy shores with her loved ones. Makeda radiates warmth and is a beacon of strength for her close-knit circle of friends and family. Drawing inspiration from cherished memories with her beloved mother, she upholds a legacy of a life lived with intention and laughter.
Makeda recently celebrated a significant milestone, the gender reveal of her first child: a boy! She eagerly anticipates the unfolding chapters of motherhood and boundless possibilities that the future holds.
Makeda's time so far at SMF is a testament to her unyielding spirit, dedication to excellence, and readiness to embrace both personal and professional growth. Her journey serves as an example of the impactful contributions our team members make, both within and beyond the office walls. We are grateful to have Makeda on our team and look forward to witnessing her continued success in the years to come.
