[1] She went on to graduate from Howard University in 1983, earning a bachelor’s and a master's degree in civil engineering.

[3][4] In 1985, McKissack Daniel moved to New York City to work as a civil engineer for Weidlinger Associates.

[3][10] In 2002, under her leadership, the company closed its office in Nashville, making New York City its headquarters.

[7][12] Since becoming CEO, McKissack Daniel has led construction projects, including John F. Kennedy International Airport New Terminal One,[2][10][13] Barclays Center,[4][14] Atlantic Yards Long Island Rail Road Vanderbilt Yard Relocation,[14][9] Fulton Fish Market,[4] Medgar Evers College,[15] Studio Museum in Harlem,[14]Harlem Hospital Center New Patient Pavilion,[14][16][17] Coney Island Hospital Campus Renovation,[4][14] and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

[18] In May 2022, McKissack Daniel received the Diversity and Inclusion lifetime achievement award from Crain's New York Business.