2020 Influential Businesswoman Awards

Acquisition International - 2020 Worldwide Finance Awards 17 hen Mariaha Dean founded EDEN Resources in early 2009, it was during historic economic lows and a political high tide. Barack Obama has just taken office as America’s first African- American President; a domestic recession was the reality for many families and 92,000 construction workers and professionals in the state of Minnesota had been laid off. It was time for eminent change. Mariaha’s background in commercial design as a CAD draftsperson and as a construction project manager put her in the perfect position to establish EDEN Resources as a leading firm, leveraging her considerable experience on a variety of projects. Having worked at family firms before, it made sense for Mariaha to keep that ethos in her own business as a measure towards building a future of economic stability. The result is a construction firm that is proudly certified, woman-owned and 100% minority owned. It stands apart from the crowd as a friendly, competent, and trusted provider. Often, the team is brought in to perform as Construction Managers (CMa), Owner's Representatives or Project Managers, or as Contractor for interior remodel projects, meaning they must work closely with all parties to ensure a successful build. Understanding the requirements of a project is paramount in completing the work, which means that Mariaha and her team must understand their clients incredibly well. Over the last ten years, Mariaha has seen the construction industry evolve, steadily opening its doors more readily to women. This is due, in no small part, to the growth and exposure of technical and creative fields for women, and women or girls of colour through the years. Exploring opportunities for early engagement is a key to making an industry more racially diverse and welcome for all. As a woman who has made her name in the industry, Mariaha knows the challenges of working in this male-dominated environment well. It can be difficult to find reasonable resolutions to project challenges, build genuine trust and establish yourself among male peers. Finding alliances and partnerships that can be relied upon is crucial in any business, but especially true in the construction field. Mariaha has committed to making a difference where she can and is involved in local and state boards which influence industry outcomes for all people. Her past experiences and cultural background compliments her dedication and passion for serving on boards which directly impact women, youth, and black males. The organizational nature of EDEN Resources as a small business means that the team remains very active in the community. Mariaha leads the way when it comes to building, future, forward (the mission for EDEN Resources); the root vision is to not only construct facilities, but to Construction is one of the most challenging industries in which to work; Construction management consists of various elements to handle, each component of the project working together to assure budgets are maintained and tight and precise deadlines are met. The team at EDEN Resources, led by Mariaha Dean, know the intricacies of construction project management better than anyone. Their success has come because they know how to combine the technical and the creative to make the sublime. We profile the firm to find out more about how it has triumphed in the Influential Businesswoman Awards 2020. Best Woman-Owned Project Management Company - Midwest USA W also foster collaborative community experiences which encourage youth and women who are developing in their studies and talents. EDENResources has come a long way in the last decade and continues to thrive. The core service offerings from the firm have expanded significantly, primarily in the area of professional technical services and program management for landmark commercial projects. The team has proven highly capable of working well among large project teams, on complex or difficult projects with long durations or heavy, multi-agency reporting requirements. This makes EDEN Resources the ideal choice for clients in sectors ranging from governmental to commercial to non-profits. Mariaha’s success with EDEN Resources reflects the rising number of women executives in reputable, major brands and corporations. Her success and unique career experience is sure to inspire many who are exploring the world of construction. As the brand continues to build facilities and manage programs which span across the Midwest, we’re sure to hear more about this amazing team for years to come. Company: EDEN Resources Name: Mariaha Dean Web Address: www.edenresources.com