Kimberly Depelteau, assistant project superintendent with North Branch Construction, says she fell in love with "dirt" while interning for a civil engineering, land planning, & surveying company while studying mechanical and electrical engineering at Norwich University. She strongly recommends that women considering a career in construction should take advantage of apprenticeship/internship programs, be confident and take advantage of every opportunity for continuing education.  

Tiffany Stanewicz didn't envision herself with a career in construction, but it's where she landed and she couldn't be happier! Tiffany is a design engineer with Interstate Electrical Services. She says her favorite part of her career is seeing projects come to life. "I see them before they start, while they are in progress and when they are completed," says Tiffany. "Putting it on a drawing can be easy, but seeing what our team members in the field do to complete the project successfully is truly amazing."  Her advice to women considering a career in construction is not to be afraid to walk into the unknown. "I would not be where I am today if I didn’t. Build your confidence and build trust in your peers and managers. They are the ones who advocate for you when you aren’t around." 

Paige Wilber, a project engineer with The H.L. Turner Group, Inc., grew up in a family of engineers and surveyors. This experience and her interest in math and science led her to pursue a career in engineering. She says the most rewarding part of her career is the people she works with daily. To young women interested in construction, Paige's advice is not to be afraid to bring your voice to the table and add value through your own experiences. "At the same time, be open to learning and collaborating," she adds. "The best projects are the ones where the entire team can come together and work through issues with an open and flexible mindset."

Stephanie Marx, human resources/onboarding coordinator with Cobb Hill Construction, encourages young women to consider a career in construction. "It is fast paced, always evolving and the community involvement is great to be a part of," she said.

Caitlin Space, project manager with Noonan Brothers Painting has a passion for design/build. As a child, she loved playing with blocks and building forts, but it was not until high school when a math teacher persuaded her to try architectural drafting. From there her interest only grew and eventually led her to a career in the world of construction. Caitlin says there are endless opportunities in the construction industry for women. "You just have to be willing to put in the time and effort, think quickly on your feet, and sometimes get your hands a little dirty."  

Jenn Avedisian, senior project manager with Chinburg Builders Inc., chose a career in the construction industry because she was ready for a change. "It was a field I was familiar with having grown up in and around the industry with my father as a home builder," she said. 

Meet Carlye Brandl, a subcontractor liaison with North Branch Construction. Her advice to women interested in a career in construction is, "There are so many different skills that are required for each project. Every person contributes. Be confident and vocal about your contributions and ideas."

The ABC New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter today announced 6 member companies were named to the Associated Builders and Contractors’ fifth annual Top Performers publication, which lists its contractor members that build the country’s most enduring, innovative, high-quality construction projects, ranked by work hours.  

Kayla Costa, Assistant Project Manager with Fulcrum Associates, chose a career in the construction industry because she wanted to do something different. "I wanted to break boundaries in an industry that is primarily male," she said.

“My advice for women who want to work in the construction industry is to just go for it. Women should feel empowered to do whatever they set out to do, regardless of the industry type.”  - Rheana Anderson, Project Manager Assistant, Cobb Hill Construction