Richard Kennedy serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Skanska USA, and since 2018, holds the title of Executive Vice President at Skanska AB, where he sits on the global Group Leadership Team. Born in 1966, Kennedy joined Skanska in 2004, originally stepping in as general counsel for the U.S. operations. He forged a path from that legal role to regional operations leadership, and ultimately, by 2018, to overseeing Skanska USA’s entire building and civil divisions.
From Law to Operations: A Career Built on Strategy and Trust
Kennedy’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers, a Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law, and a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics. When he first arrived at Skanska, he leaned on his legal foundation. But over time, he moved into operations leadership, serving as COO for New York and New Jersey, building operations beginning around 2009, before stepping up to business-unit president for U.S and building in 2016. That blend of legal acumen and strategic foresight positioned him well for guiding complex, high-stakes projects and organizational decisions.
Steering Skanska USA Through Complexity and Change
Under Kennedy’s watch, Skanska USA navigated tough terrain. Following challenges in the public-private partnership sector, including a major write-down in P3 deals, Kennedy led a strategic exit from those equity-based projects, choosing to prioritise long-term stability over risky ventures. This pragmatic leadership reflected a deeper philosophy: aligning risks with core strengths and reinforcing a resilient, values-based operational model.
Avowedly strategic, Kennedy has advocated that companies must act on ethical commitments, not just speak about them. He told Construction Dive, “It’s not enough to just say the words. We say them, and then we have to act on them”. That commitment shines through Skanska USA’s culture under his stewardship.
Putting People First: Culture, Safety, and Well-Being
Richard Kennedy’s leadership has consistently emphasized that culture isn’t a slogan, it’s a lived responsibility. As CEO, he champions transparency, inclusion, and respect across teams. He advocates mental health awareness and equitable treatment of every person on a job site. Skanska was among the first companies to initiate a CEO Forum focused on Incident and Injury Free outcomes, which later expanded into broader mental health programming across the industry.
His work with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s CEO Advisory Council reflects a belief that physical and emotional safety are inseparable. In interviews, he has described Skanska’s Mental Health First Aid program, launched in 2022, as a tool to foster open, judgment-free environments where colleagues feel safe seeking support.
Focused Growth in a Time of Opportunity
In a 2024 interview with Dagens industri, Kennedy shared that nearly 45% of Skanska’s growth in the U.S. was driven by federal infrastructure investment under President Biden’s infrastructure programs. He projected U.S. business opportunities of approximately $120 billion during 2022–2026. Despite macroeconomic headwinds and rising interest rates, healthcare and higher-education projects remained robust, offering steady demand and offsetting the slowdown in commercial development.
A Voice in the Industry: Practical, Influential, and Inclusive
Kennedy doesn’t seek hype or broadcast-driven visibility. Still, he contributes meaningfully to industry conversations, from The Optimistic Outlook podcast to working groups on infrastructure, sustainability, and tech in construction. His contributions are calm yet compelling, a balance of experience and inclusion.
Legacy Rooted in Ethical Action
Materially, Skanska USA generated approximately $7.6 billion in revenue in 2019, across its operations in construction and infrastructure development under Kennedy’s leadership. But career observers say his real impact lies beyond the numbers. A former colleague put it clearly: “Richard is a strategic leader with an extraordinary ability to connect vision, people and experience to move our company forward”.
He’s also praised for humility. Cynthia Eng, SVP of Communications, noted his lasting impression across functions, that leadership “is consistently strategic and inclusive,” and sees challenges “turn into amazing opportunities”.
Why His Leadership Resonates
At a time when many corporate leaders chase headlines or quarterly milestones, Richard Kennedy’s steadiness offers something enduring. He doesn’t just deliver projects; he nurtures people, lifts industry standards, and builds institutional trust.
He orchestrates Skanska’s growth with a steady hand. In every decision, be it scaling back after overexposure to P3 deals or scaling up in sectors like health care, Kennedy leans into foresight and responsibility rather than boardroom bravado.
His leadership reminds us that sustainable success is built on intentional culture, genuine care, and consistent integrity.
Richard Kennedy’s career arc is more than a title. It’s a story of transformation, from legal adviser to operational leader to chief executive. Along the way, he’s woven ethics, empathy, and excellence into Skanska USA’s DNA. Under his leadership, the company does more than construct buildings and infrastructure. It builds a stronger society, for teams, clients, communities, and the people who bring projects to life.
That’s a legacy worth watching, and one that demonstrates how values-driven leadership can deliver both impact and resilience.
