We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maria Alejandra Blanco Landaeta a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Maria Alejandra, appreciate you joining us today. Any advice for creating a more inclusive workplace?

Throughout my career as a Civil Engineer, I’ve seen women increasingly break through in a field that was once dominated by men, especially in construction. While engineering used to be an area where women faced challenges, today, many leadership roles in the industry are held by women. This inspires me to continue promoting gender equality at my company, where knowledge, experience, and opportunity matter more than gender.

I’m also proud of our commitment to inclusion through our social initiative, ATL ACCESSIBLE SOLUTIONS. We create ADA-compliant spaces that improve accessibility for people with disabilities, ensuring that homes, bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas are designed to meet their unique needs.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Maria Alejandra Blanco, and I’m a Civil Engineer with over 15 years of experience in construction, project planning, and management, specializing in both residential and commercial projects. I’m also the CEO of ATL Contracting and Design, a company focused on delivering top-notch design, execution, and project management for interior and exterior spaces across Metro Atlanta. What sets us apart is our unique approach—we strive to transform the construction experience from something complicated, unsafe, and stressful into something enjoyable, trustworthy, and exceptional.

So, what makes us different? At ATL Contracting and Design, we’re a team of dedicated professionals working in perfect synergy. From collaborating with architects and interior designers on the design phase to our on-site supervisors ensuring everything stays on track, every step of the process is handled with expertise. We also have specialists in each area to ensure safety and guarantee that every detail is taken care of. As a Civil Engineer, my main focus is making sure we meet quality standards, adhere to building codes, and prioritize safety throughout the entire project. I ensure that every job is executed precisely according to the plan.

I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built as a company. We’ve earned a reputation as a reliable, solid business known for our integrity and attention to detail. But what I’m most proud of is being a woman entrepreneur who creates both direct and indirect job opportunities, contributes to the community, and through our social initiative, ATL ACCESSIBLE SOLUTIONS, provides affordable, comprehensive solutions for people with disabilities.

This is what truly makes me proud—creating partnerships that allow us to make a real difference in people’s lives, especially in underprivileged communities. At the end of the day, if we want to have a positive impact, inclusion must be at the heart of everything we do. We care not only about clients who want to renovate their homes but also about those who need an accessible bathroom to accommodate their wheelchair.

I want people to know that ATL Contracting and Design is one of the few construction companies in Metro Atlanta led by a professional woman. Behind this Civil Engineer with over 15 years of experience is a tight-knit team—a family that works together to turn dreams into reality and make the unimaginable possible. We do it with reliability, integrity, and a commitment to leaving a lasting impact, not just in the spaces we create but in the lives of our clients. At ATL, we believe the good guys are in the majority.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The key to building our client base has been honesty and earning trust by showing clients that we stand behind our work. The construction industry doesn’t always have the best reputation, and unfortunately, contractors often get a bad rap. But we’ve turned that to our advantage. It’s given us the chance to prove that we’re different and committed to doing things the right way. That’s why we prioritize building codes, worker safety, and making sure we have all the necessary licenses, certifications, and insurance in place. We want our clients to know three things: We’re professionals, we’re trustworthy, and we’re fully protected. This is our first impression, along with our creativity and our distinct approach to design.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Behind ATL CONTRACTING AND DESIGN is a story of perseverance, hard work, and dedication. I’m originally from Venezuela, so Spanish is my first language, and all my education was in Spanish. When I moved to the U.S. eight years ago, I faced a tough journey of working to achieve my goals, and that’s what it’s all about, right? Fighting to make things happen.

First, I had to become fluent in English while simultaneously completing the necessary steps to have my Civil Engineering qualifications recognized here. After that, I focused on obtaining all the licenses and certifications that have helped make ATL CONTRACTING AND DESIGN the strong, reliable company it is today. But beyond being a story of resilience, I believe that being an immigrant is a true reflection of our ability to adapt to new environments, embrace new horizons, and find a way to reclaim our comfort and success.

I can honestly say that my journey of resilience is ongoing. Every day is a new opportunity to learn and evolve, and that’s what keeps pushing me forward. Through our social initiative, ATL ACCESSIBLE SOLUTIONS, we’re able to give back by providing opportunities to those who need them most—people with disabilities who are searching for a chance. That’s a big part of my story and my mission. I want my knowledge and experience to do more than just grow a business—I want to use it to help those in need and make a positive impact on the community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.atlcontractinganddesign.com
• Instagram: @atlcontracting

Image Credits

Project photos: Stickman Design and Art Instagram: @stickman.design
Personal Photos: Edgar Malave Instagram: @edgar_malave