For Sandie Marino, PMP, successful projects begin with open communication, strong partnerships, and a clear understanding of their impact on people and communities. We sat down with VHB’s Project Controls Director to learn more about her unexpected career path, what attracted her to VHB, and how she defines meaningful project success.
VHB: Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and how you got into this career.
Sandie: My background is unconventional. I studied fine arts and liberal arts, then went into banking after college. I was later recruited by an engineering company to help manage the firm’s billing group. Solving accounting and revenue challenges for a major transit client led me into contract administration and project management. I later earned a master’s in project management, combining creativity, pattern recognition, and problem-solving.
VHB: You work on large-scale infrastructure and transit programs. What is important for keeping these programs on schedule and budget?
Sandie: Open communication is essential. Teams need to surface problems early and discuss solutions transparently. Strong risk management and communication plans help identify potential issues before they escalate, recognize warning signs, and determine how to mitigate, transfer, or avoid risks. It’s also important to establish clear accountability and partner closely with both the project team and client to collaboratively resolve issues and maintain project momentum.
VHB: You joined VHB in July. What attracted you to the company?
Sandie: What attracted me most to VHB was the people and the culture. Employees genuinely enjoy working here, which says a great deal about the company’s values. I was impressed by the camaraderie, teamwork, and willingness to help one another. You can feel that collaborative spirit as soon as you enter an office, and that strong, supportive culture was the deciding factor for me.
VHB: What does your role as Project Controls Director involve?
Sandie: I monitor the core elements of a project: cost, schedule, scope, risk, and quality. I help establish plans for success, then track performance through execution and closeout. When something begins moving outside normal patterns, I investigate the cause, whether it’s scope creep or rising costs, and work with the team to resolve it while keeping the project focused on delivering value.
VHB: How do you measure project success?
Sandie: I measure project success by looking beyond scope, schedule, and budget to the value delivered. Did the project create a positive experience and outcome for all stakeholders, including the client, communities, and end users? A project can be completed on time and under budget, but it is only truly successful if it meets its purpose, provides lasting value, and leaves a positive impact.
Connect with Sandie via email or LinkedIn and learn more about program management at VHB.
