Holly Hawkins
Project Executive
Holly Hawkins joined Riley as a Project Executive in 2026, bringing extensive experience leading complex projects, building strong client relationships, and advancing the construction industry throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Beyond her project work, Holly has been a dedicated advocate for workforce development and business growth, serving on the Board of Directors for both the Waukesha County Business Alliance and the WCTC Foundation. Her leadership has been recognized through numerous honors, including the AGC Wisconsin Horizon Award, Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, and the Waukesha County Business Alliance’s Advocate of the Year Award.
Raised in Allenton, Wisconsin, Holly’s interest in the built environment started early. She spent countless hours in her grandfather’s woodworking shop, watching him create and build. Although her grandfather had dreamed of becoming an architect, family circumstances prevented him from pursuing that path. His influence inspired Holly to take every woodworking, drafting, and architectural course available throughout middle and high school. When her parents undertook a major home renovation, however, she discovered that her true passion wasn’t just in the drawings. It was in seeing the work come to life. “Working with the contractors and watching the transformation happen was what really sparked my interest in construction,” Holly said.
Outside of work, Holly enjoys spending time with her husband and their three active teenage daughters. Much of her free time is spent cheering from the sidelines at softball and volleyball games, traveling when she can, and enjoying the outdoors with family and friends.
Back to leadership
WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO
“I love building things and helping clients bring their vision to life. There is something incredibly rewarding about taking an idea and working with a team to turn it into a finished space that serves a purpose and creates value for others.
One of the coolest parts of my career happened when my daughters were younger. Whenever we drove past one of my projects, they would proudly tell their friends, ‘My mom built that.’ Those moments reminded me that what we do creates something tangible and lasting, and that our work has an impact beyond the jobsite.
Another highlight was helping bring Kids Building Wisconsin to Milwaukee through a partnership with Milwaukee Tool and the Waukesha County Business Alliance. It took a tremendous amount of work, but seeing the excitement and energy of 800 middle school students as they explored hands-on careers in construction was incredibly rewarding. Creating opportunities for young people to discover careers in the skilled trades and construction industry is something I’m deeply passionate about.”
Fun Fact
“Hard work was ingrained in me at a very young age. My father worked two full-time jobs, one of which was helping my grandfather on the family farm. To this day, I still cringe when I hear the phrases ‘Let’s go pick some stones’ or ‘It’s your turn in the mow.’”
