No Limits: Lachelle’s Story of Courage, Curiosity, and Community

A Leap of Faith

Few people would consider jumping from the medical field to construction a traditional career move. Lachelle worked in the medical field for four years where she learned how to work in a fast-paced environment and collaborate with a wide range of personalities—which is harder than it sounds. Lachelle couldn’t shake this feeling that she was destined for more. Once the pandemic hit, she seized the opportunity to pivot her career.  

Like many of us when faced with a big decision, Lachelle turned to someone she trusted for guidance: her mom. It was during this conversation that her mom suggested she reach out to Maria Turner, her mom’s best friend. Maria had been working at Gray for several years and recommended Lachelle apply for an administrative assistant role that had just opened. Lachelle wasn’t sure she had the experience, but she wasn’t scared of jumping into the unknown.  

Although she was not chosen for the role, the recruiter was impressed by her and encouraged her to apply for a receptionist role. She did, and not long after, her journey at Gray began. 

Hunger for More 

Lachelle quickly fell in love with the role. She found joy in meeting new people, getting to learn more about them, and learning what they did at Gray. Her natural curiosity helped her build relationships across departments, and as she learned about Gray’s diverse roles, she craved a more challenging one, especially one that made a positive impact on communities.  

When an administrative assistant position opened on the Food & Beverage team, Lachelle considered applying. Admittedly, she was a bit hesitant because of her last attempt to snag an administrative assistant role, but she realized that she had gained valuable experience and was ready to take the next step.  

Her courage paid off — she got the job and made it her mission to learn everything she possibly could about construction. Driven by curiosity, Lachelle connected with leaders across departments to learn about their work. The more she learned, the more she knew she wanted to work directly on projects.  

Power in Connection 

One night during Gray’s Annual meeting, she struck up a conversation with one of the leaders on the Procurement team, a relatively new department that focuses on handling direct purchase of large process equipment for Gray’s projects. Lachelle was fascinated with the Procurement department. They weren’t hiring at the time, but that didn’t stop her from spending time with the team and building relationships.  

It wasn’t long before a procurement coordinator position opened up to support the procurement managers in managing the source-to pay process by issuing trade authorizations, purchase orders and general document management. The department head, knowing Lachelle was interested in joining their team, encouraged her to apply.  

She landed the role and is now a proud member of the procurement team. On any given day, you’ll find Lachelle tracking equipment, building relationships with Gray’s suppliers, reviewing proposals and handling change orders—supporting up to four projects at a time. What Lachelle loves most about her role is that no two days are the same. She is constantly solving new challenges with her team and continuing to learn.  

The Power of Belonging 

When speaking with Lachelle, one thing is clear: she genuinely loves people. She strives to be a kind, grounding presence—someone who leaves others feeling seen and heard. That energy has been reciprocated throughout her journey at Gray. 

From executive leadership to project coordinators, Lachelle describes Gray as a place where support, collaboration, and mutual respect are the norm. “My team feels like my family,” says Lachelle. “Any conflicts we do have are resolved with mutual respect.” She appreciates being able to show up as her full, authentic self every day. 

When asked what she loves about being at Gray, she didn’t hesitate: agency and belonging.  

Gray understands that no two career paths are the same. If you show that you have a hunger to learn and try new things, the opportunities are there. Lachelle’s story is a powerful testament to that. Gray embraces individuality, believing that every voice, regardless of tenure or title, brings something important to the table. As Lachelle puts it, “It doesn’t matter if you’ve been here 15 years or three months. People want to hear your opinion, and it’s actually considered when making decisions.” 

Life Beyond the Job 

When Lachelle isn’t making connections and carving out a meaningful career path, she’s soaking up the quiet joys of home life. Most evenings, you’ll find her unwinding on her patio with a cup of coffee or tea, enjoying the peace or catching up with her daughter, Isabella—her spirited “10 going on 30” sidekick. 

A true creative at heart, Lachelle channels her energy into storytelling, poetry, and journaling—she even has dreams of writing a memoir one day. Her artistic spirit shows up in the kitchen too, where she loves experimenting with new recipes using fresh produce from her very first garden. This summer, she’s set on mastering the art of baking. 

Deeply in tune with the world around her, Lachelle finds strength and renewal in nature. She draws energy from the sun, recharges under the moon, and gives back through gardening—tending not just to plants, but to her own sense of balance and well-being. 

She’s also a lifelong sports lover, with a special devotion to football. Lachelle has already visited 8 of the 30 NFL stadiums on her bucket list. 

And if all that weren’t enough, Lachelle is on track to complete her bachelor’s degree in project management by the end of the year—a milestone she’s proud to reach as part of her ever-growing journey. 

Her Own Blueprint 

Lachelle’s story emphasizes that growth comes from staying curious, taking risks, and believing in what is possible. Whether managing procurement processes, planning an NFL stadium visit, or spending time with her daughter, Lachelle leads with intention and heart. Her belief in herself and openness to possibility lead her to extraordinary outcomes.