Learning From Those Around Him 

In 2004 when he started as a student in Northwestern Engineering's Master of Science in Project Management (MPM) program, Carlos Nazario took a look around and saw more than a collection of students and professors.  

What he saw was an abundance of knowledge concentrated in one place. And with that observation, he saw opportunity. 

“I had already been working full time for several years in the engineering and construction fields, so I saw the MPM program as an opportunity to pick the brains of experts in areas that would better complement my technical knowledge,” Nazario said. “I tried to interact as much as possible with the adjunct professors, who were well-established professionals in the construction industry.” 

Nazario (MPM ‘05) sought out individuals with experience in business development, marketing, and environmental management practices. He also intentionally worked with students who came from different backgrounds.  

“Spending time with other student peers, including a large number of international students, was very enlightening,” he said.   

This approach helped prepare Nazario to be a better-equipped professional after graduation. Soon after receiving his diploma, he left his role as a civil engineer with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and took a job as an associate principal for PMA Consultants, a construction consulting firm.  

Five years later, he joined Faithful+Gould, an international project and program management consultancy. Faithful+Gould has offices in 55 countries and focuses on a wide variety of public and private sector clients. Nazario was promoted to his current position as vice president and property sector lead in January 2019.   

In his current role, Nazario manages the delivery of program, project, and cost management; as well as strategic asset management and sustainability advisory services for clients across the Americas in the corporate real estate, hospitality, healthcare, higher education, and government markets. 

Nazario’s past projects include the following: 

• Establishment of a project management office overseeing all capital projects for a global financial institution across the Americas region 
• Establishment of a commercial management office for a leading technology firm, to oversee governance and cost management of capital project portfolios in the Americas and Asia regions 
• The delivery of hotels for a world-leading hospitality brand across multiple countries 
• Deployment of project controls processes and tools for a tire manufacturing company across various global regions  

Throughout the past 17 years, Nazario has continuously leaned on the lessons he learned in the MPM program.  

“I look back at the variety of courses I took, and I would say they are all directly related to my company’s core services,” he said. “There are the purely technical areas such as planning, construction law, and financial management, but there are also courses and experiences acquired in strategic management, negotiation, and business development that influence the way I manage our business on a day-to-day basis.”   

The success Nazario has seen following his time in the MPM program leads him to recommend the program to those seeking a similar career spark. He suggests students see their classmates and professors as experts who have valuable lessons to share.   

“MPM can be effective for students at different stages of their career," he said. "It can be right after completing an undergraduate degree, after a few years of experience, or even for seasoned professionals. It’s a great place to establish professional relationships and friendships.”