When it comes to diversity, Ken Colao leads by example.

More than a third of the 90 staffers ­— 38% — at his construction management company, CNY Group, is Black, Indigenous or other people of color (BIPOC). Also, in an industry not known for gender balance, women comprise nearly a third of the staff and have earned 62% of the promotions in the past three years.

EY announced on Thursday, June 22nd that Kenneth Colao, president and co-founder of leading New York-based construction management firm CNY Group,received the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2017 Award in the Real Estate, Hospitality and Construction category in New York.The award recognizes entrepreneurs who are exceling in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Mr. Colao was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented to winners in all categories at an exclusive gala held at the Marriott Marquis last week.

Complex projects that require a healthy measure of innovation and problem-solving skills are the norm for New York City’s construction management firms. But applying an entrepreneurial approach to tackle those challenges is what Ken Colao, founding principal and president of CNY Group, believes sets his firm apart.