ABOUT
Rivet’s founder
A love of construction was built into Monique Charlier’s foundation. She grew up tagging along with her dad, who started in the industry as a carpenter and worked his way up to president and co-owner of Jansen Construction, and Monique discovered the thrill of seeing a blueprint come to life at an early age. She earned her bachelor’s degree in building construction management at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville at a time when few women were part of the program.
Monique began her career as an estimator before moving into project management for a large commercial contractor. While at Jansen Construction, where she eventually served as president, she worked as project manager with a number of nonprofits, including COA Youth & Family Centers, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Penfield Children’s Center, Urban Ecology Center and more. One of her projects, the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, was the first in Wisconsin to earn LEED Gold certification. Monique soon realized that what excited her most about her work was helping organizations expand their missions and good work through building. In 2009, she launched Rivet so she could focus on that passion, and she’s since partnered with many nonprofits and other community-focused clients on award-winning projects around Milwaukee. Monique has lived in Milwaukee for more than three decades and cares deeply about supporting projects and organizations that uplift the community she calls home.
ABOUT
Rivet’s founder
A love of construction was built into Monique Charlier’s foundation. She grew up tagging along with her dad, who started in the industry as a carpenter and worked his way up to president and co-owner of Jansen Construction, and Monique discovered the thrill of seeing a blueprint come to life at an early age. She earned her bachelor’s degree in building construction management at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville at a time when few women were part of the program.
Monique began her career as an estimator before moving into project management for a large commercial contractor. While at Jansen Construction, where she eventually served as president, she worked as project manager with a number of nonprofits, including COA Youth & Family Centers, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Penfield Children’s Center, Urban Ecology Center and more. One of her projects, the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, was the first in Wisconsin to earn LEED Gold certification. Monique soon realized that what excited her most about her work was helping organizations expand their missions and good work through building. In 2009, she launched Rivet so she could focus on that passion, and she’s since partnered with many nonprofits and other community-focused clients on award-winning projects around Milwaukee. Monique has lived in Milwaukee for more than three decades and cares deeply about supporting projects and organizations that uplift the community she calls home.
When she’s not working, Monique loves hiking, fishing, gardening and simply spending time outdoors. She also dabbles in blacksmithing (she finds hammering on hot metal to be a good stress reliever). You can find some of her handiwork at the Urban Ecology Center — she forged the fireplace tools at Riverside Park and a snake door handle and mice that crawl up a wall at the Menomonee Valley location.
Learn more about how Rivet can help you on our services page.