Grisel Gray
Teaches estimating classes in Spanish while pursuing a doctoral degree
Director of Preconstruction & Estimating
Gilmore Construction Corp.

Growing up, Grisel Gray was drawn to math, science and puzzles. But it wasn’t until a fellow student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggested she take a construction class that she discovered her passion. “I was instantly hooked,” she says, and changed her chemical engineering track to construction management.

Born in El Salvador, Gray moved to the U.S. at age 10 after being adopted. She joined Turner Construction in Kansas City in 2017 and transferred to Denver, where she says she gained invaluable experience working full-time while continuing to pursue her university education, ultimately earning a master’s degree in construction engineering and management.  

Gray landed at Denver-based Gilmore Construction Corp. in 2023 and soon took an opportunity to lead its preconstruction and estimating department. Soon, she was credited with transforming it into “a client-focused powerhouse” supporting $300 million in proposals and $150 million in contracts.

Among her most impactful work, she says, has been involvement with challenging projects at Denver International Airport, including revamping all baggage handling systems in what she calls a hidden-from-the-public, complex underground city-like environment. Gray says it has been an incredible opportunity for the entire team to work together on a project of such complexity.

Gray has a knack for connecting with people and growing teams, an aspect of her personality that has helped her succeed in a role that is not typically people oriented. “I enjoy connecting with people more than most of my estimating peers,” she contends.

Gray admits to finding something that drives her on an almost daily basis, and she says this keeps her excited about her job and motivated each day. “I’ve had a lot of nudges from the universe or life, or whatever you want to call it,” Grisel says. “It’s never enough for me to just do the bare minimum—I find something that drives me every day. I’m in an internal battle or competition with myself every day.”

One so-called nudge occurred when she was placed in a medical coma in the early days of COVID-19, as “possibly patient zero,” she says. Gray recovered, but another near-death experience occurred a few years later when she ingested peanuts, something to which she is “deathly allergic.”

Gray believes these challenging experiences were “meant to happen” because they forced her to see her life in a completely different way. “There was no more putting myself second, and I haven’t looked back,” she adds. 

Inspired to push herself in more ways than one—her COVID-19 recovery led her to become an ultramarathon runner—she continually asks herself ‘What is my legacy? What am I leaving behind?’

“I’m not doing this work for just myself; it’s for the people who will come after me,” she adds.

Outside the office, Gray teaches estimating classes in Spanish at the Hispanic Contractors of Colorado Contractor Academy. She also is active with its Women in Leadership Committee and Future Leaders Committee, mentors STEM students in Denver Public Schools and at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and continues mentoring at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she co-founded its Women in Construction Management Group and was its president for nearly three years. Gray balances her professional efforts by training for several marathons a year.

Gray is currently pursuing a doctorate degree at University of Nebraska-Lincoln and imagines two possible scenarios for her future: She would like to earn a law degree and be a vice president of preconstruction on the risk management side, combining construction expertise with legal knowledge. Gray would also like to pursue a teaching role in construction management, perhaps after she retires.

Gray hopes to support young professionals in their transition to the workforce post college graduation. She would like to see better collaboration between schools and companies to prepare new graduates and says there would be tremendous value in implementing transitional periods for new hires.

“I really love this industry and how everyone is connected to each other,” Gray notes. “It’s such a cool thing to remain linked to one another even though behind the scenes we are competing on projects. We’re all very united and striving to grow.”