As President of Sacramento-based Kitchell CEM, Wendy Cohen oversees a workforce of 350-plus employees managing primarily public sector construction projects across the western United States. With more than 25 years in the building industry, Wendy has worked as general contractor, construction manager, consultant and owner.

Wendy is a trusted advisor in the construction management field, facilitating numerous industry panels on collaborative business models for construction, the current status of the industry and how to be an owner of choice. Her experience leading high-performance teams throughout her career paved the way for her current role at Kitchell CEM, which is consistently ranked among the top Construction Management and Program Management firms both regionally and nationally. The company’s high-profile projects include the Department of General Services O Street Project, the Sacramento Community Center Theatre and the single-largest state building project in the history of Sacramento: the Richards Boulevard Office Complex.

Wendy joined Kitchell after serving as Director of Facilities Planning and Construction with Palomar Health, where she led a billion-dollar construction program. With her native San Diego roots, she establish a trusted rapport with clients and respect among her direct reports. At Kitchell she known for fostering the development of up and coming leaders and continues to chart a successful path for women in the building industry.

Wendy is passionate about improving the industry and the communities where Kitchell operates. She is actively involved in the Construction Management Association of America and has been recognized for her leadership in the industry by the American College of Healthcare Executives, the San Diego Organization of Healthcare Leaders, the San Diego and the Sacramento Business Journals. Her community involvements include Casa de las Campanas Board Member and Project Athena, an organization that helps people who have survived medical or other traumatic challenges achieve their adventurous dreams. Wendy’s physical feats are impressive and include Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim treks, an ultra-marathon in Zion National Park, an ascent up Mt. Kilimanjaro and the California AIDS ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles.