News

Gresham Smith’s Michelle Wright Named to Nashville Business Journal’s Women of Influence List

Industrial Market Leader Recognized for Role in Community and Industry

Gresham Smith is proud to announce that Industrial Market Vice President Michelle Wright is one of the Nashville Business Journal’s 2022 Women of Influence. The annual award recognizes women in Middle Tennessee who are shaping their companies, improving the city’s business community and paving the way for the next generation of influential female leaders.

“I am thrilled to see Michelle get recognized for the incredible impact that she has made at our firm, in our industry and in the local Middle Tennessee community,” said Rodney Chester, CEO of Gresham Smith. “We strive to have the best culture of any architecture and engineering firm, and Michelle supports that vision in her roles overseeing the operations of our rapidly expanding Industrial market, mentoring our young female professionals, and being actively engaged in our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging initiative. She is passionate about using her leadership position to make a difference across our firm and our local community.”

As an MVP, Wright manages the personnel, operations and project delivery for the firm’s Industrial market. She is a licensed chemical engineer with 27 years of experience in the architecture and engineering industry, and has worked with clients on a global scale—including U.S.-based companies expanding their international footprint, and international firms building a presence in the United States. During her time as MVP, the firm has added a number of major high-profile clients to our portfolio, including two multibillion-dollar lithium-ion battery plants for Ultium Cells, a joint venture of LG Energy Solution and General Motors.

A Middle Tennessee resident since 2001, Wright is actively involved in the community and has dedicated a significant portion of her efforts to support Habitat for Humanity of Williamson-Maury, where she serves on the board, as well as Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville. She has organized a number of volunteer builds and raised money through the Hammers & High Heels committee, which empowers women to pick up a hammer and take the lead to help lower-income families in their own community build and purchase safe, affordable housing.