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 delivering complex projects across the Triangle region.

She began her journey in project management overseeing cell tower installations and has since held senior leadership roles at CBRE, Jackson Builders, Stewart Engineering, and Bobbitt, 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 is also a certified expert in the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and 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.