Yna Leonardo (she/her) was a Project Engineer Intern (Summer 2022) through CIWI. She is a first-generation college student who was born and raised in the Philippines before moving to the US in 2015. Yna is going into her third year at San Francisco State University studying Civil Engineering. Yna learned about CIWI from a friend and was introduced to Cahill from a previous CIWI intern. Having heard many great things about Cahill, Yna was happy to join CIWI and Cahill and to have the chance to see beyond her engineering major to learn the construction side of the industry. This past summer, Yna started learning how to do RFIs and submittals, read specifications, mark up as-built drawings, and properly read architectural drawings.

Charmaine Leonard (she/her) was a Project Engineer Intern in Cahill’s summer 2022 internship program though TIDES. A proud Mexican American, Charmaine is first generation born in the United States and the first in her family to graduate from college. She found the TIDES program in connection with CityBuild Pro through City College of San Francisco (CCSF). She is currently enrolled in the Project Management program at CCSF. Charmaine’s story is unique as she comes with 24 years of experience in a variety of positions, starting as a Title 24 specialist for a Civil Engineering firm, leading to becoming a teacher, then a business owner, and now studying project management in Construction. Her background gave her the understanding, big picture knowledge, and skills as well as attention to detail needed to succeed in project management. Working on our Mission Bay Block 9 project, she helped support punch list efforts, assist walkthroughs with owners, run reports and provide updates. She takes pride in being part of the Block 9 team and getting to know all the players, from the owner’s representative to laborers.  Charmaine shares, “It’s been an amazing experience. Beginning with the knowledge I acquired from my CCSF professors, I was well prepared for further learning from the on-site experience of working on a Cahill project.  Block 9 will serve as home to about 140 currently homeless individuals. The TIDES program is amazing for offering a way to advance in life to those who apply themselves.”