Our people have great stories to share, and in 2026 we’re excited highlight our team through our Employee Spotlight series.

Senior Content Manager Andy Peterson joined Siena in 2014. As Senior Content Manager, Andy creates public and internal aspects of Siena’s brand, including digital marketing, branding, proposals, and marketing materials. He has a unique professional background that includes experience in media production, creative writing and publishing, education, and customer service.

What was an early job, and what did you learn?

My first job after college was as a video editor for local nightly TV news in Providence. If you’ve ever seen the movie Broadcast News, there’s a scene where Joan Cusack sprints down a hallway to deliver a videotape just before airtime – that was me. That job taught me how to prioritize quickly, avoid procrastination, and adapt when late-breaking news upends your plans.

What’s a skill you developed outside of work that helps you with your job today?

I’ve been writing and publishing poetry since I was a teenager, and I’ve had the good fortune to have several books published by small presses. Seeing an abstract idea through to a finished product requires patience, commitment, collaboration, attention to detail, and faith in your vision.

I find myself drawing on those skills when working on bid proposals. There are often a lot of collaborators, ideas, and moving pieces to bring together. Just like making a book, it’s a cooperative process that requires listening, adapting, and trusting the people around you while keeping sight of the bigger picture. I’m still learning!

How did you choose construction as a career path?

Construction chose me. Or George Poulos – Siena’s COO and my friend since childhood – chose me. In 2014 I was hired as a part-time coordinator to help with paperwork on the renovation of Waverley Hall, a historic condo restoration in Harvard Square.

Knowing my background in media and publishing, George also handed me the keys (or, passwords) to run Siena’s website and social media accounts. From there, I became more involved in crafting proposals, marketing materials, branding, graphics, and random details that tend to fall between job roles.

Along the way, I’ve learned a lot about the industry and creating somewhat professional content – while also helping George keep Siena a little weird.

What do you like best about working at Siena?

I’m proud to work for a socially-conscious firm that’s so generous supporting community and non-profit education programs – like City Sprouts, Razia’s Ray of Hope Foundation, and creating the Little Free Library Kiosks for Kendall Square Association. It’s inspiring to be able to connect with a lot of great people and amplify these non-profits doing selfless and inspiring work in the community.

What’s your favorite or most memorable project you worked on? What made it special/unique?

For several years, Siena has participated in the Cambridge Science Festival, a week-long celebration of STEAM. In 2019, PM Brandt Wild designed and oversaw the construction of a 10-foot geodesic sphere that became a fully immersive camera obscura art exhibit. I had the opportunity to write and direct a short documentary about the project with Brandt, George, Alex Testa, and photographer Sri Thumati. I loved bringing together my creative background to tell the story of the sphere’s design, materials, and construction.

What is the favorite piece of advice you ever received?

I keep a few favorite fortune cookies taped to my monitor for inspiration. Some that feel especially relevant to my job lately are:

Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.
It is necessary; therefore, it is possible.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.

And Pick another fortune cookie.

What’s a small thing that instantly makes your workday better?

Sharing an unprintable joke with George in the kitchen. Quoting White Men Can’t Jump or The Princess Bride with Brandt. When Dina announces “good morning, neighbors!” to our open office quad. And when anyone’s brave enough to bump up the office thermostat a couple degrees.

What’s one thing on your desk, in your truck, or in your toolbox that says a lot about you?

I keep my late grandfather Kirk’s old slide ruler on my desk, which my mother recently gave me. He worked as an engineer for Stone & Webster Engineering in the 1940s. Apparently he was part of the team involved in designing elements connected to the Manhattan Project, but the reasoning being top secret, the engineers were never told. When he learned this, he decided to leave the profession, eventually settling on Cape Cod with my grandmother. He kept a woodworking workshop in the garage. As a kid I loved visiting him and seeing what he was creating. So I keep the ruler as a reminder of him, and as a symbol of the choices we make in order to work and live.

Work-life balance is important in a stressful, demanding industry like construction. How do you enjoy your spare time?

My poetry practice keeps me busy outside of work hours. At any given time I might be simultaneously writing and editing new poems, digging through old notebooks, submitting poems to journals, and preparing a manuscript for publication. I also love digging through used bookstores and used record stores to find my next vintage inspiration.

Favorites

  • Favorite Shows (at the Moment) – Ted Lasso, Shrinking, The Great British Bake Off  
  • Favorite Music/Album – Classic Jazz; Kind of Blue by Miles Davis
  • Favorite Area Restaurant – Prairie Fire (Coolidge Corner, Brookline)
  • Favorite Book – Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
  • Favorite Vacation Getaway – Vermont