Christine Baudier Wood
Regional Global Facilities Group Manager, Burns & McDonnell
Christine Baudier Wood joined Burns & McDonnell in 2016 and in 2019 was promoted to the Principal Group, a senior level of leadership that marks distinguished performance over an extended period with the firm.
As manager of the Global Facilities Group in Burns & McDonnell’s Dallas-Fort Worth offices, Wood is responsible for managing multimillion-dollar design-build, aerospace and mission-critical projects.
She leads nearly 30 professionals in providing design and construction services in architecture, mechanical, electrical and structural engineering. Since joining Burns & McDonnell, she has supported more than 30 projects for clients including mission-critical, manufacturing, commercial, and industrial facilities.
“I have marveled at her ability to lead and develop successful projects and deepen relationships with clients,” said Scott Clark, vice president and general manager for Burns & McDonnell’s offices in Dallas and Fort Worth and Raleigh, North Carolina.
When she’s not with clients, Clark notes that you’ll find Wood mentoring others in the office. She also takes an active role in mentoring future women leaders and helping break down gender biases associated with careers in engineering.
In 2016, she was named one of Engineering News-Record Texas & Louisiana‘s Top 20 Under 40. Wood received her master’s degree in civil engineering from Columbia University and her bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Villanova University.
Christine and her husband, Greg, have a son, Beau, and a daughter, Carter. She enjoys spending time with family, cooking, yoga, New Orleans Saints football, and giving back to the community through her involvement in Junior League, Kids in the Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity and Nights Lights.
– Robert Francis
What advice would you give young women rising to a position of prominence?
My advice for young women is two-fold. First, find someone to be your sponsor. Whether it’s a parent, manager or fellow colleague, this mentor will be an asset, helping you grow in your career, advocating on your behalf and teaching you valuable lessons along the way. Second, I encourage people to live by the motto “work hard, play hard.” For me, this means always setting aside quality time for my family after leaving the office.
You could choose to spend your time many ways; why do you choose to spend it the way you do?
Time is a precious gift. When I’m in the office, I firmly believe I’m setting an example for my young children as I strive for goals, work hard, achieve success and chase my dreams. Outside of the office, our family enjoys quality time together by reading our favorite nighttime stories and sitting down for breakfast and dinner, which means I dedicate two hours to having my phone and computer turned off in the evening.
Who is the most significant role model and/or mentor in your life?
My mom and dad have been the most significant influencers in my life and their life lessons continue to stick with me throughout my journey. Whether it’s parenting, leading a team, giving back to the community, being kind and so much more, I always find myself going back to my values I was taught at a young age. I’m forever grateful to my kind, loving, nurturing parents who have continued to teach me success comes from hard work.
What book, movie, TV series or play influenced you growing up? Why?
One of my favorite books as a child was Oh, the Places You’ll Go!by Dr. Seuss. It’s one I enjoy reading with my children to this day, teaching them about setting goals and navigating through life’s joys and challenges.
What would you like for us to know that we might not know to ask?
With a passion to increase diversity in the workplace, I require a minimum of two diverse candidates be identified for every open position and requisition, strongly believing diverse experiences produce superior results.