This week we celebrate Women in Construction Week (WIC) and the many women who work in and make important contributions to our industry every day! We are pleased to share the stories from many of the women who work and live in NH and VT. The project was created in partnership with I Build NH and NAWIC Granite State Chapter.  

Why construction?
When I was little, I spent many hours playing with a wonderful set of Legos®. I've had a fascination for the built environment since then. My career path, although far from construction, has developed in the built environment over the past 20 years and I've found a home in it. I may not swing a hammer or an excavator, but I enjoy showcasing the people, places, and projects that do and telling their story.

What is your education/training background?
I've been a marketer my whole life, but had the "aha" moment about two decades ago with my first position in a Design/Build company. Since then, each position I landed has educated, welcomed, and encouraged my growth in it. I'm still learning and that's the key to happiness in my book.

How did you find yourself working in the construction industry?
I landed my first job in the industry during the Great Recession of 2008 with a Design/Build company that welcomed my variety of marketing skills - from simple design to database management and administration. The firm didn't weather the recession, but I found another home where I thrived for nearly a decade. Marketing brought me here, but I intend to stay and am VERY happy to have found it and all the wonderful people in it.

What do you enjoy most about your career?
The people! I've met the most multi-faceted, intensely honest and creative people here in this industry.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on?
There are so many and in many different areas of the AEC groups. With engineering it would have to have been all the bridge projects I watched develop; architecture would be the historical renovations we won awards for, and now with construction - or DE-construction as it would work out - I'm new to so I don't have a favorite yet, but there are some in the history of the company that stand not only the test of time, but work towards our future.

What advice do you have for women who want to work in the construction industry?
Keep at it, don't give up, and keep your dream alive in all the little ways. Find an aspect of something you love that this industry brings out and focus on ways to make that a positive every day. For me? I love to check off boxes and finish puzzles - proposals are a specialty - guess who is checking off boxes and completing the story every day!

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ABC NH/VT
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construction industry trade association representing nearly 21,000 chapter members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, profitably and for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. ABC's membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors.

I Build New Hampshire
I Build NH represents the construction sector of the state through the Sector Partnerships Initiative (SPI). I Build NH represents companies involved in heavy construction like municipal water treatment systems and road building, electric and telecommunication infrastructure, civil engineering, heating/ventilation/air conditioning businesses and more.

National Association of Women in Construction
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has over 115 chapters throughout the United States, including the NAWIC Granite State Chapter. NAWIC provides its members with opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training, public service and more. NAWIC advocates for the value and impact of women builders, professionals and tradeswomen in all aspects of the construction industry.