Karen Seddon: Leading Affordable Housing Development Across Hawaiʻi

Karen Seddon, EAH Housing's Regional Vice President for Hawaiʻi, was featured on the cover of Building Industry Hawaiʻi's 2024 Women in Construction issue, recognized alongside five other leaders shaping the state's construction landscape.
In the feature, Karen shared insights into the challenges and rewards of leading affordable housing development in Hawaiʻi, where her primary goal is to expand the available inventory of affordable housing across the islands.

The Reward of Impact
"The ultimate satisfaction lies in the end result," Karen shared in the article. "Handing over the door key to a home symbolizes the culmination of years of effort by the development team and marks the beginning of opportunities for a family's economic, education, and health outcomes."
Karen describes her role as requiring adaptability and breadth. "There is no typical day in the work life of a contractor or developer," she explained. "Each day brings a unique set of challenges, demanding multitasking to address a wide range of issues essential to the success of housing projects."
She referenced the quote, "Jack of all trades, master of none, though oftentimes better than master of one," to illustrate the versatility required in her position.

A Career Built on Resilience
Karen graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering Management and earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Before joining EAH Housing two years ago, she worked at the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation, The Michaels Organization, and other companies in the development and construction sector.
When asked about her professional journey, Karen acknowledged the realities of working in a historically male-dominated industry. "Navigating a historically male-dominated construction and development industry has been a significant challenge," she said, advising women entering the field to prepare for "a predominantly male workplace culture where women encounter discriminatory behaviors."
Despite progress, Karen believes more work is needed. "While progress is being made, more work is needed to create an equitable environment. Collectively, resilience and determination will pave the way for future generations."