AJ Rais: Bringing empathy and observation on site

For Ajmal “AJ” Rais, every day brings a new opportunity to create a better quality of life for others. As construction project manager, he is responsible for overseeing the countless details that go into a new 2Life building — from coordinating contractors and schedules to ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. But he never loses sight of the people who will live in those buildings. 

That sensitivity is second nature to AJ, having grown up in a multigenerational household in India. “I’ve always been around older people, so I’m empathetic to their concerns,” he says. 

That empathy, combined with AJ’s talent for observation, often leads to improvements. In one case, while reviewing some construction plans, he noticed a door to a staircase was not specified to have a window. Recognizing the potential for someone quickly opening the door to hit someone on the other side, AJ requested a window be added to the plan. 

Helping others is something AJ puts into practice beyond the specifics of his job description. An accomplished practitioner of yoga, he offers lessons to his 2Life co-workers. “I like to transfer my knowledge, helping others learn some basic exercises they can incorporate into their daily lives,” he says. 

Currently, AJ spends much of his time managing the new 2Life J.J. Carroll site under construction in Brighton. He pays attention to even the smallest detail — from the height of the grab bars in the showers to the amount of force required to open a door. 

“I try to put myself in the residents’ shoes and think about it from their perspective. I’m always mindful of what we’re building at 2Life — we’re creating a community.” AJ Rais

“I try to put myself in the residents’ shoes and think about it from their perspective,” AJ says. “I’m always mindful of what we’re building at 2Life — we’re creating a community.”