Meet Alejandra “ale” Spray | Construction professional | Inclusion advocate | Bicyclist aficionado | Community Oriented

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alejandra “ale” Spray and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alejandra “Ale”, is there something you believe many others might not?
When I am asked if I could go back in time and change something. I strongly believe I am the person who I am now because of the experiences lived, the people I crossed paths with, the missing opportunities, the no I took for an answer. Wasn’t easy to feel rejected, to have made mistakes or failing but that is what shapes us as humans.

The invisible and visible scars teach us a lesson, they help us realize who and what really matters in this journey that we call life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am proud that I have remained true to my values, to who I am and each night I can close my eyes knowing I gave my best.

It wasn’t easy to move to another country as an adult, to make friends, to find a job, to speak a different language, to learn a new culture but one day I made peace with this reality and decided to make the best of it.

Construction is in my blood and little by little I found myself advocating for more representation from women and women of color at all levels. Teams and organizations benefit from diverse teams, those who challenge the status quo, those who compliment with their own talent what is missing.

I have been labeled as too outspoken, too passionate and it was until couple years ago when I stopped worrying about what others thought about me. Feeling comfortable in your own skin is the best gift I could have ever given to myself, confident without being arrogant.

I was being recognized for advocating for more representation in the industry, for supporting minority, women owned businesses in construction. Not always the favorite topic in the room but it is needed not as the right thing to do rather than the smart thing to do as to support the local economy.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of the perks of living in Colorado is the vast range of options to explore year round. I have a challenging time planning, I consider myself more on the spontaneous side but I would ensure my best friend has the opportunity to experience diverse options.

To visit: Red Rocks, Chautauqua Park, Denver Union Station, Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Keystone, Steamboat, the Broadmoor, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Museo de las Americas, downtown Erie / Louisville / Littleton / Ft. Collins, Colorado State Capitol

To eat: Melting Pot, The Bindery, My neighbor Felix, Postino, Hapa, North Italia, Piripi, Corinne Denver, the Noa Noa, Cucina Colore, Le French (DTC location), Tamayo.

Hang out: any hiking / riding trails, Raices Brewery, a Nuggets or Avalanche game (hopefully a winning game),

Other fun stuff: any golf course in the front range area, the Carousel of Happiness in Nederland,

So much to enjoy year round.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Definitely, in my case has taken a supporting and fun village.

The person: my mother definitely, she made it look easy to be a working professional and a mom. She has been my biggest supporter. Second are my kids, Nicole and Alex who are my daily inspiration and their love is my driving force.

The book: Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg. It was like a manual for my leadership journey, an awakening on how I needed to present myself at work and evaluate my worth .

The organization: Latino Leadership Institute, for connecting me to other Latinos/as and with their fellowship program I stopped trying to identify with one label and embrace my culture and heritage as part of who I am.

The Group: Women in the construction industry who support and elevate other women, those who celebrate the accomplishments and progress we made.

It is challenging to name all the individuals who influenced me, those who acted as mentors and sponsors, colleagues and friends who provide advice, support, and mostly they keeping me grounded.

Last but never least, those who are no longer in the physical space but I feel their support and find their own way to stay connected with me. My dad and my grandma

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sprayale/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandraspray/

Image Credits
Personal photo (on the podium) credit to The Unfound Door.