Maria Pantelaros

I lead the Innovation Department in identifying, investing in, and scaling technologies that are transforming how we build. From artificial intelligence to emerging materials, our goal is to drive purposeful innovation that improves efficiency, safety, and sustainability across the built environment while aligning every initiative with Turner’s broader growth and strategic vision.

Established Turner Ventures, Turner’s corporate investment program backing early-stage and growth-stage startups advancing decarbonization and digitalization across the built environment. Identified, tested, and scaled emerging technologies to improve efficiency, sustainability, and project outcomes. Provided strategic oversight for Turner’s Innovation Challenge, aligning the initiative with broader innovation goals while supporting the team responsible for day-to-day execution.

Led Turner’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence program, supporting early-stage construction technology startups through pilots, strategic guidance, and industry collaboration that helped lay the foundation for Turner Ventures. Managed Turner’s Innovation Challenge, Turner’s internal framework for advancing innovation initiatives from concept to implementation through strategic workshops, design sprint methodologies, and cross-functional collaboration focused on solving operational challenges.

Managed the engineering process of a $550 million expansion for Columbia University, overseeing a team of 19 engineers. Served as the conduit through which all information would flow; to and from the client, design team, subcontractors and regulatory agencies. Worked on achieving LEED Gold Certification, by assisting in the development of a Clean Construction program implemented onsite. Assisted in negotiating contract terms with the client, wrote the contracts for our subcontractors, and managed all financial issues encountered during construction.

Selected for a special project to facilitate roll out of Turner’s Parent Company’s financial reporting. Evaluated, developed, and documented business processes and procedures using lean practices to increase efficient use of the new financial tool impacting 5000+ people nationally, bringing financial transparency and understanding to the project level. Developed the companywide deployment strategy and training materials, presented the rollout plan to Turner’s Board of Directors for approval, and lead the companywide trainings.

Managed a team of 6 cost engineers, responsible for producing financial reporting and forecasting earnings for projects valued over $2 billion in total. Was responsible for presenting the high-level financial picture to senior management with incites on potential incentives and risks. Worked with project executives to produce the overall financial forecast for the NY office on a monthly basis. Assisted with national initiatives, including updating the company cost reporting policy, creating a budgetary report for our clients, and teaching at our bi-annual national cost trainings.

Provided financial consulting to project teams valued at a total of $450 million, reporting on fiscal status of their respective jobs. Responsibilities included auditing project financials in comparison to contract terms and billings, forecasting monthly general conditions expenses, and drafting monthly and quarterly cost reports. Guided project executives and managers in forecasting monthly work-value estimates in the pursuit of providing accurate earnings projections and mitigating financial risk.

Managed $50 million in engineering contracts during the renovation of Madison Square Garden. Ensured construction details were functional, while coordinating with contiguous subcontractors. Verified materials were reviewed, approved, fabricated, and delivered to the site when they are required on the job. Oversaw the construction of the event suites, managing subcontractor work, safety, and schedule, while ensuring quality and value for the client. Oversaw subcontractors from award to closeout, working with them from the procurement process all the way through punch list and turn-over.