Dr. Chisa Brookes is the Managing Director of Brookes Construction—a federally certified 8A and Woman Owned Small Business holding a commercial general contractor’s license and access to work in over 12 states and territories. Since starting her construction company, she has completed projects as a prime contractor at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport and as the General Contractor on various county and private projects. She began working in real estate in 2015 and currently serves as an Associate Advisor for SVN Southern Commercial Real Estate specializing in, but not limited to, land, industrial and special purpose leases and acquisitions. Previously, Dr. Brookes worked in Oil and Gas from 2000 to 2015, engaging in several business lines from research to design & development, with projects spanning North America to Asia. Her versatility ranged from modeling theoretical equations for improved operations to developing technical presentation packets for business executives. A few of her highlights include representing ExxonMobil's interest as part of an industry-wide research consortium that managed up to $24 million across prestigious labs and institutions; leading risk management activities for the development of a $1 billion plant outside of Melbourne, Australia; and contributing ideas that awarded her multiple research patents--one finalized as recently as 2020.Early in her career she was highlighted as one of the 40 Next Emerging Business Leaders Who Are Shaping Our Future in Black Enterprise magazine. Additionally, in 2017, she was selected by North Carolina State University’s high ranking Chemical Engineering Department as one of its Distinguished Young Alumni.Dr. Brookes earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University; a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University. She is a proud native of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands where she was rooted with rich principles and first bloomed as one of the island’s transformative, trailblazing achievers.