With a career marked by nurturing growth and fostering achievements, Diane Rigatuso, the Vice President of People at Skyline Construction Enterprises, defines success as a force that transcends personal triumphs. “Knowing that what you achieved mattered across teams” is more important than just feeling good about your own accomplishments”, she says. It’s the exhilarating realization that her achievements have not only propelled her forward but have also illuminated the path for others, inspiring them to reach new heights. This profound impact extends to her family, where she finds immense fulfillment in empowering them to reach their dreams. Her definition of success is inextricably linked to her relationships, cultivating enduring connections with influential leaders throughout her career.
As Vice President of People, Diane holds a pivotal role in shaping the human resources landscape at Skyline Construction, a quickly-growing $700M general contractor. Her responsibilities encompass the full spectrum of HR functions, ensuring a cohesive and effective approach across all Skyline companies within the Skyline family. Diane’s people-first approach creates a business culture where everyone excels, contributing to the growth and success of the businesses.
This exclusive cover story reveals the inspiring journey of Diane, a female HR expert who defied the odds in the male-dominated construction industry. Don’t miss this captivating tale of resilience, innovation, and the power of HR expertise to conquer any challenge.
A Passion for People and Growth
Diane’s career in HR is a testimony to her inexorable passion for people and organizational growth. From her beginnings at Chevron to her current role at Skyline Construction, she has excelled in connecting with individuals and harnessing their motivations to fuel their achievement. Collaborations and lessons from outstanding leaders at companies like Oracle, Actian, Databricks and currently Skyline have enriched her career path.
Each phase of her career has presented unique challenges, opportunities and people. At larger corporations, she adeptly managed significant acquisitions and integrations, ensuring the alignment of talent and systems for organizational success. In smaller and mid-sized firms, she addressed the challenge of rapid scaling while preserving a robust company culture and attracting suitable talent.
Diane has coached and mentored diverse professionals tackling complex business problems throughout her journey. These experiences have reinforced her firm belief in the power of collaboration, strategic talent management, and creating a supportive work environment that promotes both individual and organizational flourishing. Her approach emphasizes teamwork and inclusivity.
The Resilience Factor: Diane’s Rise to HR Leadership
‘RESILIENT’—Diane’s one-word definition of herself. She doesn’t just weather chaos; she thrives and grows in it. Throughout her professional trajectory, she has consistently turned challenges into stepping stones, adapting to new business directions with agility and emerging stronger from periods of turbulence. Her innate ability to shift, prioritize, build, and maintain her mental toughness under pressure is a testament to her resilience. This, combined with her knack for continuous learning and growth, has shaped her into the transformative HR figure she is today.
Navigating Change, Inspiring Growth, and Shaping the Future
As an industry veteran, Diane reflects on HR leaders’ unique setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the emotional toll on employees and the swift adaptation to remote work in an industry where working remotely is rare. “In HR, you learn that company and economic changes impact each person differently” Diane notes, highlighting the resilience required in the face of such disruptions.
However, she found the collaborative effort to ensure employee and customer safety during this time to be truly inspiring. Diane and her team focus on educating younger generations about the industry’s promising career paths and unique culture. From her experience managing numerous acquisitions, Diane stresses the importance of both corporate and individual communication during transitions. She believes guiding leaders to support existing and new employees is crucial in fostering a positive work environment.
In the future, Diane believes HR challenges will increasingly involve using new technologies. This will include, measuring what the organization achieves, using technology to help employees grow, keeping employees motivated, preventing burnout, and improving company culture. Diane deems that to rise to these challenges, HR must harness innovation and strategic foresight, turning potential hurdles into steppingstones for prospective wins. These opportunities are different for each company.
Skyline Construction in Brief
Skyline Construction is a prominent company specializing in commercial interior construction projects. They transform ordinary office spaces into innovative and efficient environments that foster business growth and creativity. Their expertise extends to building commercial office spaces, life science laboratories, hospitality, and healthcare projects. With offices in Washington, Illinois, and Northern and Southern California, Skyline Construction is quickly making a name for itself as a leader in the industry.
What sets Skyline apart is its unique culture of inclusion for fostering leadership at all levels as well as the ownership structure. As a 100% employee-owned Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), every single employee, including collective bargaining employees, has the opportunity to become an owner. This ownership culture is a key aspect of their “people-first” approach, where people are at the center of every business decision. Transparency with clients, strong relationships with partners, collaboration between departments, and giving every employee a voice are the company’s foundation.
Skyline Construction is also committed to diversifying in a traditionally predominantly white and male industry. In contrast, Skyline is a female-led company with a highly diverse workforce. They want to reflect the communities in which they work and are always working toward that goal.
Typical Workday as VP of People
“HR professionals really do not have a “regular day at work,” Diane confides with a warm smile. “We get tossed curve balls every day.” This unpredictability comes from individuals and their reactions to specific situations and challenges.
“I find this both invigorating and demanding.”
Diane’s role as a human resources executive at Skyline, a company with a sprawling presence across major cities like Chicago, Seattle, the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, and sunny San Diego, demands a hands-on approach. Regular travel to each location lets her connect with employees personally, promoting a deeper understanding of their needs and aspirations.
“HR is a very people-facing role both internally and externally,” she highlights. It is not a desk job. It’s about developing genuine connections with people, learning from their experiences, and ultimately nurturing a thriving workplace culture. This dynamic interplay between challenge and reward makes the HR profession a truly unique and fulfilling path, and Diane thrives in the heart of it.
What’s in Store for Skyline Construction?
Diane envisions a future where Skyline Construction is synonymous with commercial construction excellence across the United States. Currently operating in four major markets with seamless client sharing, this organization is poised to expand its footprint significantly over the next decade. Skyline aims to establish a presence in major cities nationwide through strategic acquisitions of small to medium-sized businesses. This growth strategy not only expands their geographic reach but also allows them to welcome new talent into their employee-owned organization, where people are the driving force behind their success.
Perspective on Technology’s Impact on the Construction Industry
Modern technology has revolutionized various industries and the construction industry is no exception. As an experienced HR leader in the construction field, Diane underlines the integration of drones, autonomous vehicles, 3D designs, ChatGPT, AI, and machine learning into project management and job site operations. She emphasizes the importance of equipping employees with the skills to utilize these advancements, viewing them as opportunities for enhanced accuracy, productivity and company performance. Diane firmly believes that upskilling employees is crucial as AI becomes more prevalent in daily work life. This increases employee commitment along with company results if done properly. While acknowledging the efficiency gains offered by AI, Diane asserts, “Technology will not replace the people side of our business, which is developing relationships and supporting our customers’ success.” She underscores the enduring importance of human intelligence alongside AI, emphasizing that AI augments human capabilities rather than replaces them. Diane extends this perspective to the field of HR, emphasizing that AI cannot replicate the essential human element of relationship management.
Despite the challenges posed by recent events like COVID-19, social injustice, mental health concerns, and the Great Resignation, Diane maintains that HR’s core focus on people, talent, motivation, career development, and employee wellbeing remains indispensable. She concludes by reaffirming that the construction industry, represented by companies like Skyline Construction, thrives on relationships, underscoring the irreplaceable value of human connection in this sector.
Building Integrity Through Shared Ownership: Diane’s Vision at Skyline Construction
At Skyline Construction, Diane, the VP of People, champions a culture of integrity deeply rooted in the company’s unique structure. As a 100% employee-owned company through an ESOP, everyone, from office staff to field laborers, has a stake in the company’s success. This shared ownership fosters a sense of collective responsibility, driving proactivity and accountability at every level.
Their “Building Better Together” tagline perfectly encapsulates the collaborative spirit that permeates Skyline. They recognize that exceptional work and satisfied customers are the results of a unified team effort. In the demanding construction world, where every role, from Project Manager to laborer, is crucial, there’s no room for individualistic agendas. Diane shares that at Skyline, it’s not about “me,” it’s always about “we.” This collective mindset, combined with a commitment to transparency and integrity thrives, ensuring the organization consistently delivers on its promises.
A Woman’s Ascent in HR: From Benefits Broker to Leading with Women
Diane’s journey as an HR virtuoso took flight after a transformative move from Boston to the sunkissed shores of California. A detour into the realm of benefits brokerage opened an unexpected new door in the HR industry, which then led her to Chevron Oil Company, marking her entry into the corporate benefits sphere. This pivotal moment propelled her ascent through the ranks of HR management to VP roles.
Diane recounted the invaluable lessons she learned from formidable female mentors who instilled in her resilience and strength. Now, proudly working for a women-led company, Diane marvels at the unexpected journey of her HR career, and says, “HR can work in any industry as long as you can grasp the business strategy, the power of strong customer relationships, and an understanding of the culture and the people.”
The Best Recognition as a Leader: The Gift of Empathy
Of all the accolades garnered throughout her career as an HR leader, Diane’s most cherished recognition has always been her profound understanding of emotional intelligence and unwavering empathy. Years of collaboration with diverse leadership styles and employees have honed her exceptional ability to discern emotions, behaviors, and motivations. She is keen to comprehend both sides of any conflict, ensuring all parties gain perspective for a balanced and equitable resolution.
Diane credits her formative years in team sports for instilling invaluable life lessons that she seamlessly integrates into her professional life. The art of team building, recognizing the significance of each member’s contribution to the collective triumph, remains paramount. In her own words, “Feeling that wonderful sense of a WIN where your team celebrates together provides a great sense of pride that you contributed to the WIN.”
Personal Goal
As a compassionate and people-centric professional, Diane’s personal goal is to empower young professionals in their career journeys. She aspires to be a mentor, helping them discover their true calling and boosting the confidence to pursue seemingly ambitious opportunities.
Recognizing the challenges inherent in navigating the professional landscape, Diane aims to equip them with the resilience and fortitude to not only manage chaos but to thrive in it. Moreover, she is dedicated to supporting them in uncovering their unique motivators, those internal sparks that will fuel their passion and drive their success.
Finding Harmony in the C-Suite
Back-to-back phone calls and meetings fill the day, punctuated by the unexpected urgencies that are the hallmark of any leader. This inexorable pace can make achieving work-life balance feel like an elusive dream for anyone in top leadership roles. Yet, amidst the chaos, some have discovered a path to harmony.
Diane has learned to prioritize her wellbeing, recognizing that a healthy, centered leader is more effective. She explains, “Taking the time for a quick walk, putting the ringer on mute, or taking a lunch break away from your desk, allows you to be a better version of yourself.” She advocates carving out time for meditation to get clarity. And laughter, Diane feels, can help alleviate stress by triggering endorphins, naturally making one feel content.
Message for Aspiring HR Leaders
Diane’s message to aspiring leaders in the field of Human Resources underlines the importance of a comprehensive understanding of the business landscape. She advises these aspirants to immerse themselves in all business model aspects, stretching beyond traditional HR roles to gain insights into financial dynamics, product knowledge, customer relations, and key business partnerships. She highlights: “Building relationships in HR is key – set up one-on-one meetings with leaders to have an open dialogue to build trust. Understanding the company, the company’s challenges, products, and services is key to developing credibility.”
Moreover, Diane emphasizes the significance of tenacity and openness to feedback in all directions, which is crucial as HR often involves both dispensing and receiving critiques. She urges aspiring leaders to walk the hallways and engage directly with employees, fostering trust and gaining valuable insights to inform HR strategies.
Diane also stresses the importance of nurturing a professional network, maintaining connections, and seeking mentorship and learning opportunities both within and outside the HR field and your company to evolve and adapt in one’s career continually.
Technology will not replace the people
