Spotlighting Our XLers in the Field: Bella Rutledge

At XL Construction, we take pride in celebrating the incredible people who help shape our projects, our teams, and our industry. Our XLers In the Field series is a dedicated team member spotlight, offering unique insights into our projects and the people who help make them possible.

In this installment, we’re talking with Bella Rutledge, Project Engineer at the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Administrative Services Building project in Oakland, Calif.

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction? What do you enjoy most about it?

“I credit multiple things, and people, for my path into construction. I’ve always had an interest in architecture, always watched Treehouse Masters as a child, and my stepdad worked in the industry too. I went to college for Interior Architecture & Design with a minor in Construction Management (CM), and once I started my CM classes, I knew it was my calling. I love the process of construction, taking plans and turning them into something real, figuring out how all the pieces actually come together.”

Who at XL (or in the industry) has had a real impact on you, and how?

“Laura Burke (XL Senior PM) has been an amazing role model and has made a forever impact on me. Laura has shown me the ropes of day-to-day operations, how to approach conversations, and has shared a lot of her own experiences along the way. Laura takes work seriously yet always finds a way to keep it fun and the mood high. I hope to bring that to my future projects.”

Bella and Laura on site at UCSF Benioff

What’s something about your job that would surprise people outside the industry?

“You never know everything. No matter your experience, projects throw something new at you, and there’s rarely one right answer. That’s actually what makes work interesting. We are problem-solving together daily, and it really brings our team together.”

What does “We Build to Improve Lives” mean to you, personally?

“To me, “We Build to Improve Lives” means we build infrastructure that benefits the community whether that’s directly or indirectly. Whether it’s a medical office building, a school building, a lab for research, all buildings that are used to benefit the community or used by the community. My project specifically is an office for employees at the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland and it’s neat to know the people occupying this building will be working to help kids all around the Bay Area.”

What’s one thing you wish you’d known before staring your career in construction?

“Put your ideas out there! See what sticks! We often face situations where there’s no clear direction. Use your creativity and brainstorm, sometimes the most bizarre idea becomes a reality. This is my first project out of school and even some of my ideas have stuck!”

If you weren’t in construction, what would you be doing?

“In another universe I’ve always seen myself being a barista at a coffee shop. Interacting with the community, staying hands-on, playing music, and enjoying a cup of coffee- what’s better than that?!”

Stay tuned for the next installment of the XLers In the Field series!