Denise Southerland brings over 20 years of experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction (A/E/C) industry to her role as Director of Operations at SterlingPillar. A North Carolina native and proud graduate of NC State University, Denise has built her career leading high-performance teams, streamlining company operations, and supporting the delivery of complex projects across the Triangle region.

She began her journey in project management in the telecommunications industry, overseeing the installation of business services, and quickly advanced into leadership roles overseeing multi-team, multi-region projects. She has since held senior leadership roles at Colliers, Stewart, Bobbitt and Jackson Builders, where she drove operational efficiency and team performance across a range of operations and project management projects. Denise's deep market knowledge, coupled with her hands-on leadership style, makes her uniquely equipped to guide SterlingPillar’s Pre-Construction and Project Management teams.

Her foundation in construction began early, spending her childhood on job sites with her father, a general contractor, giving her a lifelong passion for the construction and commercial real estate fields. Denise has extensive knowledge of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and is Smartsheet certified, with a track record of implementing strategic systems that enhance onboarding, performance management, and organizational outcomes.

Known for her professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to align execution with vision, Denise plays a critical role in ensuring our projects are completed on time, on budget, and to the highest standards. She has been a licensed real estate broker in North Carolina since and is an active member of Triangle CREW, where she is currently serving her second term on the Board of Directors as President-Elect.