When our family decided it was time for me to start the company, my vision was clear: I wanted to create an engineering firm that not only delivered exceptional technical expertise but also redefined the way we work, collaborate, and grow as professionals. As a building envelope consultant, I have always believed t
hat the engineering profession could, and should, offer more—to our clients, to the industry, and most importantly, to the people working within it.
The idea for the firm was born from the realization that, for too long, many engineering and technical consulting firms have operated within rigid frameworks, clinging to outdated business models, hierarchical structures, and ways of thinking. As I progressed through my own career, working with talented professionals across New York and New England, I couldn’t help but notice how many firms were stuck in the past—limited by traditional, top-down approaches to leadership, creativity, and problem-solving.
This firm is founded on four core values: Commitment, Respect, Growth Mindset, and Authenticity. These values form the foundation for everything we do, and they represent a new way of thinking about both engineering and work culture in this industry. They are the principles that I hope will not only inspire our team to do great things but will also help elevate the entire engineering community. Now, I’m not naive, these core values are a first draft of sorts, born from my own personal core values. As we begin to grow, they may change slightly, we plan to re-evaluate each quarter to make sure we are living by them and see if they need slight updates along the way, but these are our guiding principles as we start out on this journey.
A Commitment to People and Excellence
At the heart of this firm is a strong commitment—both to our clients and to our team members. From a technical perspective, we are committed to pushing the envelope (no pun intended) when it comes to building envelope consulting. The buildings we work on, especially in cities as varied as New York and Boston, require an unparalleled level of precision, knowledge, and innovation. We owe it to our clients to stay on the cutting edge, to deliver solutions that not only solve today’s problems but anticipate tomorrow’s challenges. That commitment to excellence is non-negotiable.
But our commitment goes deeper than just technical expertise. Duffy Engineering was founded because people in this industry deserve a better place to work. They deserved a firm where individuals could bring their whole selves to the table, where they could grow, thrive, and be challenged—without being micromanaged, dismissed, or undervalued. Part of that stems from my utter hatred of micromanagement, but the reality is that too many engineering firms are stuck in a “command and control” mindset, where employees are seen as cogs in a machine rather than people with ideas, ambitions, and potential.
We’re committed to changing that. I believe that the best solutions, the most innovative ideas, come from diverse teams that feel empowered to think differently and challenge the status quo. In this firm, everyone’s voice matters. We give our team the space and support they need to grow, both personally and professionally through the Mentor Mindset, because we know that when our people thrive, the firm thrives.
Respect as a Foundation
Respect is not just a buzzword in our firm—it is a daily practice. Respect for each other, respect for our clients, and respect for the craft of engineering and building envelope consulting. Too often, firms lose sight of the fact that respect is the foundation of trust and collaboration. Without it, teams fracture, and projects suffer.
I’ve seen firsthand how disrespectful environments erode team morale and stifle innovation. Whether it’s disregard for newer team members or administrative staff, or a lack of transparency with clients, the result is always the same: lower quality work and a lack of fulfillment among professionals. Duffy Engineering has a culture of mutual respect—where we listen to one another, challenge each other constructively, and work together to build something greater than the sum of our individual parts.
Growth Mindset: The Future of Engineering
After hearing of Dr. Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset, it was very easily related to the engineering industry. One of the most significant challenges seen in the engineering community is a resistance to change—a clinging to outdated methods and a fear of innovation. I have been lucky enough to have mentors and peers who believe in the adage, if you’re not growing, you’re dying. Both personally and professionally, we expect our team members to continue to grow and be comfortable trying new things to expand their belief in what they thought was possible for them and the company.
That’s why one of our core values is a growth mindset. We are relentless learners. We invest in continuous education, we embrace new technologies, and we’re not afraid to take calculated risks in order to improve our methods and deliver better results for our clients. Our team knows that no matter how experienced they are, there’s always something new to learn, always a way to get better. That hunger for growth is what drives us to innovate and to lead the way in this industry.
Authenticity: Staying True to Yourself and Our Mission
I wanted to build something authentic—something that reflected my values and the values of the people I want to work alongside. Too many firms get caught up in corporate jargon, flashy marketing, or simply doing things because “that’s how it’s always been done.” That’s not who we are. We enjoy ourselves, make jokes, keep things lighthearted, but we also know that there is a time and place to be serious and, for lack of a better phrase, get shit done.
(Side note: Normally people would apologize for language in a scenario like that, and while it’s true I don’t enjoy unnecessary cursing, I do believe there is a time and place for it and this felt like the right time! Plus, ever since reading an article about Timothy Jay’s research, I feel validated in saying I feel smarter when I do!)
We are transparent, open, and honest in everything we do. From our interactions with clients to the way we run internal operations, authenticity guides our decision-making. We’re not interested in putting on a façade (again, no pun intended) or chasing short-term wins at the expense of long-term success. Our goal is to build real relationships—with our clients, with each other, and with the communities we serve.
Elevating the Engineering Community
I believe that we, as a company, can elevate the engineering community as a whole. We will continue to show that there is a better way to do business—a way that honors both people and the profession. By focusing on our core values—Commitment, Respect, Growth Mindset, and Authenticity—we are not just building better buildings; we are building a better industry.
Naysayers will likely say, that’s all well and good, but you’re just starting, it’s only you and a small team, how could you possibly change the industry. To those people, I say, it is “just” a small team now, but it won’t always be that way. In the years to come, I hope that our approach will inspire others to join our firm and other firms to follow suit, to challenge the old ways of thinking, and to create environments where everyone can thrive. The built environment is only getting more complex and bigger, we are in desperate need as a worldwide community for better understanding of that environment and when we elevate the game of the industry, we all succeed.
Let’s continue to raise the bar, together.
