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40 Under Forty 2024: Julia McGuinn, recycling manager

Construction recycling manager at E.L. Harvey & Sons, in Westborough and Worcester

Julia McGuinn, 36

  • Title Construction recycling manager
  • Company E.L Harvey & Sons, in Westborough
  • Residence Worcester
  • Birthplace Jenkintown, Pennsylvania
  • College Worcester State University

Check out the entire Class of 2024 and catch up with alumni from the 25th anniversary here

After working in the jewelry industry for 12 years, McGuinn decided to make a drastic career change to construction and recycling.

She became construction recycling manager of Westborough-based E.L Harvey & Sons in April 2022, and since then has sold and managed the recycling services for local construction projects. Large projects such as WuXi Biologics, a $30-million biomedical facility underway on Belmont Street, UMass Memorial Health’s 72-bed hospital building on Plantation Street, and the Amazon facility in Charlton have generated $2 million in revenue for E.L. Harvey. She is involved in several nonprofits, including the Young Professional Women’s Association in Worcester, previously serving as vice president. In her prior role at Sachs Jewelers in Shrewsbury, she established founding partnerships between the company and the Worcester Red Sox and exceeded annual sales goals, contributing to $6 million in revenue throughout her 11-year tenure. While McGuinn admits making a career change was challenging, she will always value her strength of making strong interpersonal connections to make a difference in the community. 

If you had your own late-night talk show, who would be your first guest? Judith Leiber. From starting a business to achieving international recognition, her entrepreneurial journey offers inspiration.

What is the most underrated part about working in Central Mass.? Community atmosphere. Towns and cities have a strong sense of community, with local events, festivals, and community gatherings.

Whose career would you most like to emulate? Amy Hunn, vice president of construction and facilities for Floyd’s 99 Barbershop, headquartered in Colorado. Her position combines retail and construction management skills to create environments enhancing community culture.

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