McKinstry’s Estee Toutai on Celebrating Mother’s Day

What is your role at McKinstry?

I am a project coordinator for the Engineering department and have worked for McKinstry for around two and a half years. In my role, I support McKinstry’s engineering and design department with project coordination, complex billings, operational efficiency, software implementation and more.

Tell us about your family.

My husband Micheal and I have a 14-year-old daughter, Malia, and a nine-year-old son, Hayden. We also have a dog and a cat!

What is the meaning of Mother’s Day to you?

The meaning of Mother’s Day to me is to honor all the moms out there who make the world go round. If I asked my kids this question they would probably say that Mother’s Day is a day where you show gratitude and extra love to your mom and spend purposeful time with them.

Who is a motherly figure in your life that helped shape you?

When I think about a strong maternal figure in my life, I think of my Grandma Ann because she was the one who raised me, and she is an amazing human. She is the hardest worker I know and is incredibly selfless. She is also five feet tall and quite spicy, but I love that about her. We’re incredibly close and text each other every day.

What do you hope to pass on to next generation through your example and work?

I hope every parent has a goal of instilling something in their kids that they didn’t have growing up. I want my kids to always feel comfortable being themselves and know that I accept them for who they are. I hope to inspire the next generation to live their lives to the fullest and be their authentic selves.

Estee’s great grandma (center), Grandma Ann (far right), mom (left) and great aunt in (upper middle).

Explore Other Insights

How Do You Cool a Data Center Built for AI? McKinstry’s S…

Over 20 years at McKinstry, Seth Davis has built an engineering career shaped by complex systems, large-scale project…

Engineering the Built Environment: Emily Wong on Designin…

Emily Wong didn’t just find a job after graduation. She found a path that aligned her technical skills with her passi…

Early Action, Real Results: BPS Progress Across the U.S.

Building Performance Standards (BPS) continue to reshape how communities and building owners across the country appro…