Ten Leaders to Know: Poppy Colon [Full Profile]

Company: Conlon Construction

Title: Executive Vice President

Birth CIty: Galena, IL

Current City: Dubuque, IA

How did you get where you are today?

After graduating from Colorado State and living in Fort Collins for several years, I made the decision to move to Chicago where I attended DePaul University and received a Master of Education degree. I spent most of my early working life in retail and hospitality management before joining a start-up to help them design and build out their customer support departments. When my husband and I decided to make the move to Dubuque, I was given the opportunity to join the family business, Conlon Construction, and I have been here for over seven years. My role has evolved over the years, but I am where I feel most useful - working with our Human Resources and Training departments.

What excites you the most about the business you work in?

Seeing a project start as just an idea in someone’s head and then evolve into a real, physical space is really special. There are always new opportunities and challenges, and I get to work with a lot of really smart people who teach me something new every day.

What do you see as the next big trend in your industry?

Construction is a business that is often synonymous with lagging behind other sectors when it comes to utilizing technology. That is starting to change, and here at Conlon we are embracing new ways of employing those technological tools to help us work smarter. When you can increase collaboration and communication across stakeholders and see potential for cost and time savings while eliminating potential pitfalls, everyone wins.

What does effective leadership mean to you?

For me, an effective leader is one who has the maturity to be self-aware, who possesses emotional intelligence, and has a growth-oriented mindset that keeps their team moving forward even in the face of adversity. The ability to admit mistakes and to avoid boasting are also important. An effective leader is also someone who is honest with themselves and others, is trustworthy, ethical, humble, and compassionate.

What is your favorite thing about Iowa?

Dubuque is part of the Driftless Area, and it is just a beautiful place to live.

What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Trust your gut - your instincts are genuine.

Why are you a member of ABI?

ABI’s representation is vital to a healthy business economy here in Iowa. They work hard to help make Iowa a great place to do business and raise a family. We are grateful to have such a strong advocate for all Iowa businesses and industries, and we enjoy the opportunity to connect with other business leaders through our ABI membership.

Who do you look to for mentorship?

When I joined Conlon, I was introduced to a handful of successful female business and nonprofit leaders that have since become friends and occasional golfing buddies. I can see first-hand how they lead their people and look to them for advice. I am also connected to several local organizations through involvement on their boards of directors. This has exposed me to so many thoughtful and successful people that I can reach out to for guidance, if needed.