Sampson Provides Growth Opportunities for Women & Minority-Owned Businesses

Daymanuel Sampson (BS ’13) has worked in many roles during his ten years with Turner Construction Company, from building information modeling (BIM) and engineering to on-site superintending and project management. His current title is Community and Citizenship Director, allowing Sampson to focus on both workforce development in construction-related fields and engagement with Underutilized Business Enterprises (UBE) in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

He operates within Turner’s 50+ year-old School of Construction Management (TSCM). “It’s focused on assisting small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned businesses and allows us to develop genuine business relationships and foster growth within our industry,” he says.

The process begins when a cohort is selected to study at TSCM. They meet with internal leadership and industry professionals who teach them about operations, marketing, bonding and insurance, safety, and finances. “The goal is to afford access to resources and opportunities. There are several UBEs that have come through TSCM, and we hope to see many more in the future.”

Connecting eager learners with opportunities to grow is similar to his experiences as a CEE student. Sampson states that his time at CMU demonstrated the importance of community and citizenship work. “My heart has always been in the work when it comes to philanthropy,” he states, mentioning that he also learned proper planning, teamwork, and how to curate the proper resources for success.

“There is something to take away from each class you take, every group you take part in, and every project you complete at Carnegie Mellon. You’re challenged to think critically about the end user and their needs.” 

“There is something to take away from each class you take, every group you take part in, and every project you complete at Carnegie Mellon. You’re challenged to think critically about the end user and their needs.” This led Sampson to seek a career that made him a part of the solution to bigger world problems.

In addition to fulfilling his need to give back, the position of Community and Citizenship Director also came at a perfect time in his life and career. During the pandemic, he experienced first-hand the civil unrest and hardships within minority communities. “When I was approached by the leadership at Turner to consider this role, I looked at it as an opportunity to leave my mark on an industry for the better. I can bridge gaps that are overlooked in greater society while fostering relationships that lead to the betterment of my company and community.”

Not surprisingly, Turner’s interest in helping other continues after office hours via his volunteerism. He’s an active member of the ACE board, a group of architects, construction managers, engineers, educators, and community organizers who mentor in the areas of architecture, construction, and engineering. “Through regular hands-on projects, summer jobs, site tours, guided college tours, and scholarships, we support high school students during a critical time of their development,” he adds.

For the 2022-23 academic year, Sampson is on the fundraising committee, allowing him to have some fun organizing a Gingerbread House competition that also raises a large amount of money that supports students and leaders in the Washington, DC region. This year, his committee yielded a 100% increase in donations, from over 2,000 donors – the largest in their history within the D.C.-Metropolitan region. 

He recommends that companies encourage employees to take part in volunteer opportunities not just for personal growth, but because they can build strong corporate network. “Volunteering as a company allows people to give back in ways that they may not be able to individually, especially during the work week.” Sampson adds that he’s witnessed his team members become inspired to do more within the community—and become stronger co-workers.

“I highly recommend all corporate entities reevaluate their philanthropic capacities and assess how they can become better stewards to those in need; it can be a life changing experience!”