Built for This: Molly Coen

Construction has always been part of Molly Coen’s story. Her mother’s side of the family boasts generations of pipeline construction experience dating back to 1903, when her great-great-grandfather founded Sheehan Pipeline Construction Company in Oklahoma.

Molly carved her own path into the industry at The Ohio State University. Drawn to science, math, and physics, she initially pursued engineering before discovering construction management. She quickly realized she had found her calling in a field that blended hands-on field work with business, financial management, and creative problem-solving.

After graduation, Molly joined Miles-McClellan, where she learned the ropes alongside an experienced team while building a dynamic portfolio that includes the ASPCA Cruelty Recovery Center, OSU Wexner Inpatient Hospital, and Marzetti Allen Dairy. She’s currently leading a major renovation at Franklin Park Conservatory’s John F. Wolfe Palm House and Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. Among her career highlights, this extraordinary project stands out as a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity. The site holds deep personal significance — it’s where she and her husband got engaged — and she now brings that cherished landmark to new life through her work.

Molly’s approach to leadership and project management is grounded in a lesson she learned early in her career: “The earlier you realize that no one person on a project has all the answers, the lighter it feels. Don’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know.” This mindset has shaped how she tackles complex jobs, teaching her to address difficult conversations early, lean on her team when necessary, and figure out the exact next step. When challenges arise, she knows when to step back to evaluate the bigger picture, and when to close her laptop, grab a shop vac, and jump right in to solve the problem herself.

For Molly, the best part of construction is the people. Over more than a decade in the industry, she’s built lasting relationships with teammates, clients, trade partners and design teams. She believes the strongest teams are made up of people with different strengths who know how to work together toward the same goal.