Construction Dive’s 2022 Construction Champions: The industry’s top women leaders

Construction Dive spotlights the women who are making the industry a more diverse, productive and welcoming place for all. A team of six Construction Dive editors examined each nominated woman’s depth of experience in the construction industry, as well as her commitment to leadership and mentorship of both women and men. Out of 651 submissions, the publication’s staff selected 34 talented women who stand as shining examples of how intuition, dedication and intelligence are shaping the industry.

The 34 woman are divided into 6 categories:

• Rising Stars – Although they are some of construction’s youngest employees, these women have already made a mark on the industry.
• Up-and-Coming Leaders – These women are known as hard-working change agents in their companies and in the broader construction community.
• Mentors – These women not only help others break into the industry but have long strived to make it a better place for all who work in it.
• Tradeswoman Leaders – These women use their hands and their heads to shape commercial construction and promote the industry’s career benefits for all.
• Industry Veterans – These women are stalwarts of the industry, well known in their fields and respected by all who work with them.

While women still only make up a little more than 10% of the construction workforce, more join the industry as superintendents, project managers, department directors, CEOs and tradesworkers every year. In 2022, women in construction are not only working to build some of the country’s largest and most important projects, they also are leaders in another important area: helping to recruit more women into the industry. Many women in construction act as mentors, teachers and advocates to help elevate the industry and make it an attractive career option for other women.

In 1953, 16 women in the construction industry came together to create what would later be known as NAWIC. They created a support network that, nearly 70 years later, has expanded into 118 chapters across the country and thousands of members. It’s created professional and personal development opportunities, lifelong friendships, and a place for WIC to call home.

WIC Week 2022 concludes today. For a look at how the NAWIC chapters from around the country celebrated and honored women in construction this week, click HERE. Also check out NAWIC’s Facebook page for daily posts with important messages about how they are supporting women in the industry.

On behalf of the METALCON team, congratulations to the amazing women recognized by Construction Dive as the industry’s top women leaders and to the women who came before to pave the way. METALCON recognizes the importance of having women in the metal construction industry and will continue to offer special events and programming for the advancement of women at its annual event. Join us this year, October 12-14, in Indianapolis, Indiana.