Darling Nava

Lead DEI Consultant

Darling is a pioneer in advocating for the education and development of all diversified firms in the construction industry. She began her construction career in 2007, where she learned all aspects of the industry working in multidiscipline roles.

As the owner of Darling Nava Consulting, she is an independent diversity, equity & inclusion consultant who previously worked for numerous General Contractors such as Lydig Construction, Spee West Construction, Milne Electric, Korsmo Construction, Zann, Inc., and HNTB in a similar capacity. Darling keeps current on equal opportunity and affirmative action regulations for diversity and inclusion. Her background as a contract administrator has allowed her to work together with our subcontractors as an integral part of many of our major projects.

She has had success on numerous projects and has achieved utilization goals when they were not a requirement by the owner. Her experience on inclusion goals includes projects for SPS, King County, Seattle Public Utilities, Port of Seattle, City of Tukwila and WSDOT.

Darling Nava holds state minority and woman-owned and federal business certifications MWBE#M4F0026198 | DBE#D4F0026198 | SCS#2828

NAICS Code
541611 - Strategic Planning Consulting Services
541613 - Customer Service Management Consulting Services
813319 - Social Service Advocacy Organizations

What People Are Saying About Darling

  • TAMEKA LAMAR - J J Freemann Construction + Painting, LLC

    “

    I first met Ms. Darling Nava in summer of 2021 in a Zoom for the Rainier Beach project. As a Rainier Beach alumni, we were in the early phases as a new General Contractor.

    Although we weren't awarded that project, we have grown relationships with large firms while getting all the certifications needed to be awarded work, leading up to our most recent awarded contract with Bayley Construction. Having the 1:1 support of Darling has been crucial to our growth 3 years later.

    We are so appreciative of the guidance Darling has given us to navigate the construction world here in Washington state.

    ”

  • VICTORIA RICHARDSON - VMSM, LLC dba Construction Site Services, Construction Site Fencing

    “

    On or around the first of June 2018, I was introduced to Darling Nava with Intelligence Partnerships by the NAMC Washington Chapter.

    New to the construction world, I needed to be connected with someone or organizations that could help me get company exposure, as well as help me navigate some of the issues that I was faced with; i.e., PLA Agreements; registering with the City of Seattle business list; Tabor 100; King County business lists, etc.

    At the meeting that Ms. Nava set up for us, she advised me of the above listings. In addition, she also on numerous occasions informed me of events in which I can meet contractors and hear about upcoming construction projects.

    ”

  • ESTRELLA SUNG, CPSM - SungLass Communications

    “

    Darling has been a mentor and supportive advisor since we worked together on the FACPros board. She introduced me to the fulfilling work of DEI consulting, patiently answering my endless questions and having me tag along with her to countless advocacy group meetings.

    She spent months helping me start my MWBE business in 2022, encouraging me to go beyond my networks and be ‘in community’ for a year.

    I’m proud to partner with her to help other small businesses succeed in a very competitive landscape.

    ”

  • TAMARA HARRIS - Yes We Can Flaggers

    “

    I’ve been working with Darling for the last 10 years while she was at Lydig as a Diversity Manager;

    I am working at Rainier Beach High School off and on doing the concrete pours.

    Thank you so much for the support!

    ”

  • EDWINA MARTIN-ARNOLD - Inclusion Advisor, City of Seattle

    “

    Diversity is crucial because it brings greater depth of experience and perspectives. It fosters innovation and creative ways to problem solve. This impacts any company’s bottom line and helps to generate greater profits. Darling Nava understands and exemplifies the power of diversity. She has been creating inclusion in the construction industry for over 30 years. She has knowledge and the key connections to make all projects successful and inclusive. Darling’s work has had an incalculable economic impact on our communities.

    ”

Estrella Sung

DEI Consultant, Outreach + Communications

Estrella has more than 20 years of experience in the A/E/C industry as a marketing lead and administrative support for executives and design principals. Her background includes working at Garry Struthers & Associates, an 8(a), SDVOSB, MBE firm that won multiple awards for diversity in public works projects such as the $100M Department of State US Embassies Worldwide.

She serves as a consultant at Tabor100, on King County’s 4Culture panel, and SMPS as a past board member and mentor for small WMBE businesses. Currently a certified WMBE/ DBE/SBE consultant, she works as a counterpart to Darling on day-to-day tasks, updating clients on equal opportunity and affirmative action regulations for diversity and inclusion to M/WBE | SBE | DBE and local business subcontractors.

She has worked with GCs, architects, MEP, and various engineering subcontractors to win public and private sector projects during her decades-long career supporting such firms as Gensler, HDR, NBBJ, Glumac/Tetra Tech, and Golder/WSP.

Certifications
MWBE #M4F0028279 | DBE #D4F0028279 | SCS #4987

DEI is the right thing to do — it’s doing it right that counts.