Employee Exclusive: Get To Know Nicole Ojakian
1. You’ve worked in everything from biotech to finance to engineering, and most recently AMA Group, a Legence company. What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve brought with you to your current role as Director of Human Resources at Legence?
I’d often hear phrases like 'that’s typical of an engineer,' 'that’s typical of a software developer,' or 'that’s typical of a tax accountant,' but at the heart of it all, we are all just people. While the industries we choose to work in are unique to our skills and interests, there are some things about people that are the same no matter what our job title or area of expertise. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through my experiences in biotech, finance, and engineering is that people, regardless of their chosen profession, want to feel valued. We want the effort we provide to our roles and companies returned to us in some fashion.
Recognizing this shared human need while also understanding the unique aspects of each industry is so important. Every field has its own way of working, its own priorities, challenges, and mindset, and HR is at its best when we take the time to truly understand and adapt to those differences. It’s about genuinely getting to know the businesses we support and sharing the passion for the work we do. While I’m not an engineer, accountant, or software developer, I’ve learned that immersing myself in the business and learning how things work, the obstacles we face, and what success means, has allowed me to provide meaningful support and align HR efforts with the organization’s bigger picture.
During my four years at AMA, this lesson really came to life for me. I realized how important it was not just to understand the work we do but to genuinely share in the curiosity and excitement for what we do. It’s not that biotech or finance didn’t interest me (they did) but there was something about AMA that made me feel more connected than I ever had at any other company.
At its core, HR is about connecting with people and throughout my career, I’ve learned that empathy, adaptability, and curiosity are essential to building those connections in a way that truly makes a difference. Side note: if anyone wants to give me a crash course in Revit, I’m happy to learn a new skill and help out where I can too!
2. You work closely with four Legence companies: AMA Group, CMTA, ICS, and RE Tech Advisors. What’s your strategy for bridging gaps and building a shared culture?
I sound like a broken record when I say this, but my team’s role is to understand the businesses we support, and together we’ve built strong relationships across AMA, CMTA, ICS, and RE Tech. Each of us has gained valuable insights into the unique challenges and strategies of the companies we support, and by working collaboratively, we’ve been able to connect the dots across teams and initiatives. This collective effort has allowed us to foster stronger collaboration and offer more effective, tailored support to each business.
My approach is rooted in curiosity and a proactive mindset. I don’t claim to have all the answers, nor do I expect my team to, but I value the process of stepping back, seeing the bigger picture, and working together to identify opportunities for greater collaboration. For me, it’s about being a connector: helping people and teams share knowledge, align on goals, and create a shared culture that supports everyone’s success.
What drives me every day is showing how HR can be a true strategic partner by bringing people together, fostering clarity, and helping the business move forward in a collaborative way.
3. AMA Group recently joined forces with CMTA—what’s one thing you’ve learned from helping two strong teams come together?
After my first CMTA road trip, visiting the Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Indianapolis offices, I came back to New York with a clearer perspective on the opportunities ahead. What stood out to me was how similar CMTA and AMA are: two companies rooted in the same values and approaches. The idea of combining our strengths to grow industry expertise, expand capabilities, and create more opportunities for our teams renewed my energy for the future.
4. What are you most excited about this summer?
Great question! My husband is a lacrosse coach, and his busy summer season just wrapped up this week. To celebrate having our weekends back, we’re planning a mini family getaway to Lake George for a few days and we’re also planning a California trip before my daughter starts first grade in September. Honestly, what I really look forward to is having a quiet morning on the porch of a lake house with a cup of coffee and a great book. It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to dive into a book uninterrupted since my 6-year-old keeps me on my toes (and I wouldn’t have it any other way).
5. What’s an activity that helps you stay focused, energized, or relaxed when life gets busy?
Listening to music, I always have something playing in the background. I’m all about my Spotify playlists. I’m an unapologetic Swiftie, 1989 is my favorite album (though Reputation is a close second, if you were wondering). I also have a soft spot for 80’s and 90’s music. Our team shares "ThursYAY Jams" in our MS Teams chat, and full disclosure, I probably started the chat just to have an excuse to talk about all the random pop trivia I’ve picked up over the years. Remember the game show Name That Tune? If there’s a modern version (I think Beat Shazam counts), I like to think I’d hold my own. So, if you’ve made it this far into my interview, at least you now know…if you are ever a contestant on Who Wants to be a Millionaire and need to phone a friend, I might just be your person!
