Shayli Volk: Bringing Clarity to Complex Design-Build Work

For Shayli Volk, construction is about understanding how ideas turn into action and making sure nothing gets lost along the way.

Shayli joined McKinstry six years ago shortly after earning a degree in mechanical engineering from Portland State University. She began her career on large-scale ESPC projects in the energy division, supporting work for public and institutional clients. Early on, she was drawn to the complexity and pace of projects that required tight coordination and clear execution.

“I love construction,” she said. “But I was also interested in understanding how projects are developed and making sure what gets planned actually makes it into the field.”

That curiosity led Shayli to roles in energy engineering and later McKinstry’s EcoDistricts team, where she gained experience in early-stage planning and development. Working across both development and construction gave her a broader perspective on how decisions made upstream impact delivery downstream.

Today, Shayli serves as a Design Phase Manager with National Design Build, supporting large, complex design-build programs. Her role focuses on project controls, helping establish processes, organize information and support coordination across teams.

“A lot of the work in design phase is about planning ahead. That means identifying scope gaps, thinking through constructability and supporting cost estimating so teams can make informed decisions early.”

In her role, Shayli is in the middle of constant coordination. She is capturing decisions, supporting onboarding and keeping communication moving as teams build and adapt in real time.

“I touch many parts of the project, helping ensure decisions are captured and shared so teams can keep moving with clarity.”

Working on large-scale programs has reinforced the importance of decisiveness and collaboration, especially in environments where conditions evolve quickly.

“I’ve been impressed by how proactive teams can be when expectations are clear,” she said. “That alignment makes a big difference in keeping work moving forward.”

As projects progress, Shayli enjoys seeing early planning translate into real-world results.

“There’s something rewarding about watching all the coordination and preparation turn into something tangible,” she said.

Outside of work, Shayli brings the same energy and curiosity to her personal life. She spends much of her free time outdoors skiing, rock climbing, canyoneering, mountain biking and kayaking. She and her husband use a pop-up truck camper to explore Colorado on the weekends, and she recently developed an enthusiasm for pickled okra.

For Shayli, whether on a project or off the grid, the through line is the same: staying organized, staying engaged and enjoying the process of building something meaningful.