Melissa A. S.

About Melissa A. S.

As Director of Construction and Project Management at Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, I lead capital projects that bring culture, science and education to life—shaping the built environment in ways that invite wonder, inquiry, and joy. With 20 years of experience across architecture, construction, and operations, I specialize in complex, mission-driven projects from concept through completion. My recent work includes the renovation of a century-old music hall and the planning and design of a new facility for The Warhol—projects that balance legacy, sustainability, and public engagement.Born and raised in Pittsburgh, I come from a family of steelworkers and coal miners. That grounding gives me an uncommon range: I move between boardrooms and job sites, translating institutional vision into built reality while respecting real-world constraints. I’ve always had one foot in both worlds, engaging in both conceptual and practical parts of architecture and design. I love it and I wouldn\'t have it any other way! Before joining the client side, I spent 15 years designing campus, civic, and urban projects at both nationally recognized and local architecture firms. Today, I draw on that background in strategic leadership roles that bridge architecture, storytelling, and operations in service of cultural memory, learning, and public space.I hold architecture degrees from Cornell and Harvard and serve as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Chatham University, where I guide students in design and research. Through teaching, public service, and creative work, I remain committed to expanding who architecture serves—and how it connects people to meaningful places.

Experience

1. Director of Construction and Project Management

   Carnegie Museums

   May 2022 — Present · Pittsburgh, PA, US

   Lead capital planning and project delivery across Pittsburgh’s major museums, including The Andy Warhol Museum, Carnegie Science Center, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and Carnegie Museum of Art, representing ~1.3M SF of complex facilities-Oversee multi-million-dollar capital portfolios, including major renovations and new construction, with long-term operational, financial, and cultural impact-Serve as owner-side representative, coordinating architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, executives, boards, and funders-Define project scope, budgets, schedules, and delivery strategies; lead procurement and selection of design and construction teams-Partner with executive leadership to align capital projects with institutional priorities, visitor experience, sustainability, and operational continuity-Manage cross-departmental coordination to maintain uninterrupted museum operations during construction in live public environments.

Education

• Cornell University

  BArch, 5-Year Architecture Degree

  2006

• Harvard University Graduate School of Design

  MDesS, 2-Year Post Professional Degree

  2013