Mandy Swarts started her construction career straight out of high school as a part-time billing clerk. In 2002, she joined Mark Young Construction as the billing, office administrator and service dispatcher. Three years later, she was promoted to project coordinator. She has since improved the company's maintenance department, consolidating and streamlining operations. She is working on a degree in business at the University of Colorado Denver. "The biggest challenge for a young professional is being accepted for the experience you have," Swarts says.

Away from the office, she was nominated for the Hero of Hope award in 2010 and chaired the local Relay for Life event, which raises money for cancer patients.