It was 1998 and Jennifer Bognet’s husband (then fiancé) had just launched Bognet Construction. About seven years in, he asked Jennifer, who was working in software sales at Oracle, to help grow the firm. Jennifer, pictured at age 23, had also worked for Marriott and felt she could bring the corporate world's best practices. Bognet's revenues have tripled since she joined the firm. Through it all, she’s learned to always take the time to help somebody in business. "You never know how it will impact that person’s career and that it always comes back to you in ways you could never imagine."

Bognet’s work focuses on fast-track tenant interiors, including Harris Corp and Perkins Coie. In the last few years, the firm has been doing more multifamily work, including Brookland Artspace, an affordable housing project for artists. The lofts are fully occupied with a waiting list, and Jennifer tells us it enhanced both art and culture in the community. The firm’s client roster also includes some of the biggest names in the DC business community, including VMware, Gate Group, and The Motley Fool. Jennifer, a Pittsburgh native who came to Washington to work for Marriott, was recently elected president of CREW.