The foundation of every safe project is laid long before it can be seen. Careful planning, thorough preparation, and steady oversight safeguard the people and communities each project serves. For Carroll Daniel Safety Manager Nissala Canty, that responsibility is both a calling and a commitment.
Nissala serves as Safety Manager for the Carroll Daniel | Moody Joint Venture on the MARTA Indian Creek Station Rehabilitation Project. Working at an active transit station where public safety and seamless operations are critical, Nissala’s leadership helps ensure that work progresses without compromising the well-being of crews or the surrounding community.
As Carroll Daniel’s first female safety officer, Nissala represents an important milestone, but more significantly, she represents trust. Trust from the teams she supports in the field, trust from clients who depend on disciplined execution, and trust from the communities served by projects like those with MARTA, where precision and stewardship go hand in hand.
Safety on a public infrastructure project requires consistency and credibility – qualities Nissala brings to every project she serves. With a Master’s in Occupational Safety and Health/Environmental Management, she began her career on the environmental side of projects before transitioning into construction safety. The shift allowed her to apply her technical expertise in a fast-paced, people-centered environment.
From the beginning, Nissala was drawn to a career in safety because of its direct impact on people.
“Safety is about more than meeting a standard,” she shares. “It’s about protecting the person standing next to you. Knowing that your work helps someone go home safely at the end of the day – that’s what drew me to this field.”
At MARTA’s Indian Creek Station, Nissala is helping cultivate a culture where safety is not an obligation, but a shared commitment. Through morning huddles, daily site walks, and ongoing communication with subcontractors and field teams, she stays closely connected to the work and the people performing it. By investing in strong relationships, she fosters accountability while ensuring every individual on site feels seen, supported, and valued. That people-first perspective continues to shape her leadership and defines the steady, collaborative approach she brings to each project.
“I believe leadership starts with being present,” Nissala says. “I try to lead by example, following the same standards I expect from others and simply being available to listen. When people know you genuinely care about their well-being, they’re more willing to speak up, ask questions, and look out for one another.”
That sense of responsibility extends beyond the jobsite. As a mother of four, Nissala carries those principles into daily life, applying the same commitment to preparation, attentiveness, and creating a safe environment at home. For Nissala, leadership is not confined to a title; it is a consistent practice reflected in every role she holds.
To young women considering a career in construction safety, her advice is straightforward: “Don’t give up. Find strong mentors who will guide you, and don’t let obstacles define your path. There will be challenges but each is an opportunity to grow stronger and more confident in your purpose. Stay focused, work hard, and trust that your perseverance will open doors.”
During Women in Construction Week, we recognize leaders like Nissala not only for the paths they forge, but for the example they set each day. In an industry defined by progress, her steady leadership is a reminder that the strongest foundations are built on care, accountability, and a commitment to our people. Because when we protect our people, we protect the integrity of every project we deliver.