McKinstry’s Kat Fujio on Honoring Heritage and Building Partnerships

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to U.S. history and culture. The observance originated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week in March 1979 and was moved and expanded to the entire month of May in 1990.

For Kat Fujio, May’s celebration of AAPI Heritage Month is a time to reflect on the culture, values and traditions that have shaped her. Born and raised in Honolulu on the island of Oʻahu, Kat is a first-generation Japanese American who grew up speaking Japanese and attending dual-language schools, spending summers immersed in language study.

“O‘ahu is a tiny island in the middle of the ocean and 3,000 miles away from the nearest landmass. It’s a true melting pot, with people from so many different cultures that make it such a unique, special place,” she said.

Kat joined McKinstry nearly six years ago as a service account executive. At the time, she didn’t have a background in construction, but her strong sales experience and focus on relationship-building paved the way. She was introduced to the company when a close friend invited her to tour the Seattle campus and attend a time management class. The experience left a strong impression, and when a job opportunity opened up, she jumped at it.

As a business development manager, Kat now manages one of McKinstry’s largest key enterprise accounts and maintains close relationships with site engineers. She also supports newer account executives and works with her team to improve internal processes and implement changes that drive effectiveness.

“I love working on the Service team,” she said. “I collaborate with a lot of talented field service technicians and a core team of people who have helped me develop my skills — how to have higher-level conversations with strategic clients, how to be more effective and how to build strong relationships. What makes us such a great group is how we support one another, lift each other up in times of need and celebrate our wins.”

McKinstry’s value to Build Trusted Partnerships especially resonates with Kat, both in how she approaches her clients and how she works with internal teams.

“It’s about how we listen to our clients, identify their needs and build those relationships over time,” she said. “It’s also about how we collaborate with internal partners — business operations, billing — it takes the whole team to be successful.”

Her manager, Larry Mayotte, has seen the impact of her leadership firsthand. “Kat has played a pivotal role in expanding and improving our Service operations,” he said. “She contributes as a strategic seller and team leader, and she also voluntarily leads and implements new processes. Kat works diligently and purposefully to enhance our processes and ensure an outstanding client experience. Her dedication to the team is clear — she sets them up for success and truly embodies McKinstry’s values.”

Kat’s cultural background remains an important part of her life. While she now primarily speaks English, she continues to work on maintaining her Japanese reading and writing skills. Her parents, who moved back to Japan 20 years ago, live just outside Tokyo, and Kat’s recent visit was a chance to immerse herself in the language and reconnect with her roots.

“Every time I go back, I’m hesitant to speak Japanese at first,” she said. “But after a few days, it all starts coming back — especially being surrounded by native speakers and having face-to-face conversations.”

Kat sees AAPI Heritage Month as a meaningful opportunity for people from similar backgrounds to come together and recognize the trailblazers who came before them.

“We have so much to be grateful for, and I celebrate my heritage every day, not just in May,” she said.

One tradition that holds deep meaning for Kat is Japanese New Year. It’s a time for favorite traditional foods, family gatherings and setting intentions for a fresh start. This year, she and her husband returned to Honolulu, spending time with family and revisiting favorite spots — a moment to reflect on how much has changed over the years.

When it comes to supporting the AAPI community, Kat encourages others to get involved through inclusive groups like McKinstry’s Unity Alliance.

“It’s a great way to meet people from all backgrounds, share our experiences and support organizations that are making a difference for people of color,” she said. “I’m fortunate to work at a place that encourages that kind of involvement.”

Kat believes creating a sense of community and belonging in the workplace is essential for success. “McKinstry is a special place,” she said. “Not every company recognizes cultural or historical events like AAPI Heritage Month or supports employee groups. It makes a difference when people feel seen and valued.”

Outside of work, Kat’s life revolves around her dog, Yumi, who follows her everywhere. Her husband works at a bike shop, and the two of them love biking, paddleboarding and exploring the outdoors.

Kat first moved to Seattle in 2001, adjusting to the change from island life. “We weren’t prepared for the colder weather,” she said. “But I’ve always appreciated how the rain keeps everything so green.” After living in Hawaii and other parts of the country, she and her husband returned to Seattle in 2010 and now enjoy everything the Pacific Northwest offers.

Kat starts each day with a simple practice: gratitude.

“It’s important to appreciate what you have,” she said. “There are so many people without the resources we take for granted. I try to begin my day with positive affirmations and focus on the good.”

That mindset influences her work in sales. “We work with all kinds of people, and I try to treat others the way I’d want to be treated,” she said. “That principle has been key to our team’s success.”