Grace Kolb

About Grace Kolb

I am a Senior Project Manager at an owner’s representative firm supporting capital projects for cultural and nonprofit institutions across New York City. Much of my work focuses on renovations in landmarked and occupied buildings, including churches, synagogues, and other mission driven organizations.I work with clients from early planning through construction completion, helping organizations plan and deliver projects that support their long term needs. This includes capital planning, defining project priorities, developing budgets and schedules, guiding the design process, administering consultant and contractor procurement, and overseeing construction and closeout.Many of the projects I manage involve complex governance structures and active facilities that must remain operational during construction. I regularly present project updates and recommendations to boards and committees, helping leadership teams navigate key decisions and move projects forward.Before moving into project management, I spent eight years as a mechanical engineer working on healthcare and life sciences facilities. I continue to apply that technical background when reviewing drawings, identifying scope gaps, and supporting design teams throughout the process. I am a licensed Professional Engineer and bring a strong understanding of building systems to projects involving major MEP infrastructure upgrades.I enjoy working with mission driven organizations to translate complex building needs into practical and achievable capital projects.

Experience

1. Senior Project Manager

   Zubatkin Owner Representation

   Jan 2025 — Present · New York, NY, US

   Senior Project Manager providing owner’s representative services for cultural and nonprofit institutions across New York City, including landmarked buildings, churches, synagogues, and residential cooperative properties.Manage a portfolio of capital projects in planning, design, and construction phases totaling $60M+ in active work across multiple clients. Projects range from targeted building upgrades to major renovations and infrastructure improvements in occupied facilities.Key responsibilities include:• Advising leadership on capital project strategy, prioritization, and long term planning• Managing projects from concept through construction completion• Leading procurement of design and construction teams, including RFP administration and proposal evaluation• Negotiating consultant and contractor contracts in coordination with legal counsel• Developing project budgets and schedules and presenting recommendations to boards, committees, and institutional leadership• Navigating complex stakeholder environments including religious leadership, cooperative boards, and building committees• Reviewing drawings and technical documentation to identify scope gaps and support informed decision making• Overseeing construction progress including OAC coordination, pay application review, change order negotiation, and value engineeringProject work frequently involves historic and landmarked buildings, occupied renovations, façade restoration, interior restorations, and major MEP infrastructure upgrades.Prior experience as a mechanical engineer provides a strong understanding of building systems and informs oversight of design and construction teams.

Education

• Loyola University Maryland

  Bachelor's Degree, Mechanical Engineering

  2011 — 2015