From Adversity to Achievement: Cultivating a Vision, Constructing a Company
Elizabeth Clarke had her GRAMMY speech written at ten years old, and while she never made it to the stage for her singing, she has certainly become a star in her own right. Growing up a latchkey kid in Fremont, CA, Elizabeth reflects on her typical 70s life and a middle-class upbringing with great parents. At age 10, her family experienced a shift when her mother decided to return to school and pursue a career. Her parents redefined their roles, embracing new responsibilities and adapting to change. Elizabeth recalls this transition positively, witnessing her parents working together to keep the family moving forward. This would prove crucial because she realized that if her mother would be heard and supported about her needs, she would as well. She felt she was safe to be her authentic self. Her dad was incredibly supportive during this family unit change and both parents taught her the importance of resilience, which was an example she relied heavily on in the years to come.
Upon meeting Elizabeth, her dynamic and good-hearted nature is immediately evident, along with her compelling story. Elizabeth embodies grit and grace, qualities that have served her well on her journey. Over the last decade, she has built a successful Bay Area engineering firm that continues to thrive. Her life is a testament to living authentically and using her voice and work for good.
Elizabeth’s path took many turns. During college, she took a job at a police department and discovered a passion for criminal justice, which led her to become a police officer. Realizing that wasn’t the right fit, she transitioned to a police dispatcher role for a decade. Elizabeth reflects, “I discovered how I could be the calm in people’s storms.” Her natural gift for bringing peace to others is one of her many qualities.
“It's your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself, that determines how your life's story will develop”
Despite her poised and knowledgeable demeanor, Elizabeth has faced significant challenges. She was forced to do the unthinkable when she had to lay her young daughter to rest, a loss that brought profound grief. More tragedy struck again at age 47. She lost her husband, confronting another wave of pain. Outwardly, Elizabeth appears strong, yet she has navigated immense hardship. As Dieter Uchtdorf said, “It's your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself, that determines how your life's story will develop." Elizabeth’s story is about falling down, picking herself back up, and reinventing herself through life’s tribulations.
After her daughter’s death, Elizabeth reevaluated her capacity to handle stress. The high-pressure environment of police dispatching was not what she needed at that time. Transitioning into the engineering field, she accepted a lower-paying job as a dispatcher at a civil engineering firm, finding a more supportive environment for the life transition she was experiencing. Over 25 years, she grew within the company, taking on roles in marketing and management while furthering her education. Following her husband's death, Elizabeth realized it was time for another change.
Driven by a desire for something more meaningful, Elizabeth pivoted toward entrepreneurship, founding her engineering firm. She built a niche boutique market from the ground up, emphasizing the choice to experience good days every day. After remarrying, she and her husband Mike merged their companies, setting their new company apart. With her father as an angel investor, Elizabeth valued the time working together, bringing many local connections into the company. By 2016, the company had become successful enough to pay out her father’s investment, marking the end of an era of father-daughter collaboration. Under Elizabeth’s visionary leadership, the company has flourished, becoming a beacon of innovation and excellence in the industry.
Elizabeth has redefined what it means to lead with both strength and heart. She used her life experience, expertise, and skills to create Structure Groups, a Livermore-based engineering firm dedicated to serving the construction industry with personalized service, proactive partnership, and specialized support. Her clients receive professional engineering services distinguished by their commitment to quality, integrity, and personalized care, setting the corporation apart.
Elizabeth is candid about the reality of building a business. She likens it to a love relationship filled with growing pains, trials, joys, and successes. Early on, she realized she couldn’t do it all and sought support from life and business coaches to navigate her strengths and weaknesses. Her husband Mike, her biggest supporter, is not only a partner in the business but also a fantastic partner in life. He helps navigate challenging situations, ensuring they come out still standing.
“I take it personally. I think about putting food on their family table, and I will work even harder because I value my employees.”
“She is also a person of second chances, eager to build something around people to make it work.”
What sets Elizabeth apart is her unwavering commitment to authenticity. She leads with integrity, aligning business practices with core values of honesty, transparency, and respect. For Elizabeth, true success isn’t just about financial growth but building relationships and creating an environment where her team and clients feel valued and heard. Clients frequently return and refer others to Structure Groups, a testament to great business practices. Elizabeth’s heart-centered approach to leadership fosters a workplace culture where collaboration and compassion thrive, making her firm a business and a community.
Elizabeth respects and cares deeply for both her clients and employees. Providing the best benefits and ensuring employees are well cared for has always been a priority. She values her employees, saying, “I take it personally. I think about putting food on their family table, and I will work even harder because I value my employees.” She is also a person of second chances, eager to build something around people to make it work.
Elizabeth has created a boutique niche for her company, not just any civil engineering firm but an individualized project partnership. Structure Groups steps in where building inspectors leave off, ensuring contractors conform to codes, plans, and specs. The firm tests materials for compliance and, upon completion, submits a final verified affidavit to the jurisdiction. They work on various projects, including schools, hospitals, and residential buildings, focusing on meeting clients’ individual needs and complementing their work.
Elizabeth’s journey from law enforcement dispatcher to boardroom executive is a testament to resilience, vision, and staying true to oneself. She has blended discipline and determination from past endeavors with deep empathy, proving that leading with heart is possible and powerful. She encourages others, "Don't be afraid to fail or fall along your journey, and never hesitate to ask for help. It's not the failures that define you, but your determination to get back up and try again. Remember, the comeback is always greater than the setback. So, straighten that crown, and keep moving forward with passion and strength." As the owner and president of Structure Groups, President of the Discovery Bay Chamber of Commerce, and Byron Delta Lion’s Club President, Elizabeth Clarke continues to inspire, demonstrating that with authenticity and clear purpose, it’s possible to build a successful business that makes a real difference in the world.
