I will never forget the day in the 2002 when Dan Shaw, then president and CEO of our local chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, took me to lunch to recruit me to help launch a Women’s Council for the chapter. My initial thought was, Am I really the right person for this? Having started my career in vocational training and working successfully in a male-dominated industry, rallying women in construction wasn’t a natural fit for me.

But as Dan shared his vision, it became clear this wasn’t about separating women from men; it was about recognizing the women already excelling in the industry, working alongside their peers to drive success. We set clear guidelines, ensuring that to serve on the board, women had to hold leadership positions within their companies, not just administrative or support roles, and we asked them to dedicate one hour a month to the board meeting and commit to helping with one event a year. We knew many did not participate in the association beyond attending occasional events because their business and personal responsibilities came first, as they should have.

Breaking Barriers in Construction: Lessons in Leadership, Politics, and Growth

With the help of Norma Whittier, then vice president, and the support of other ABC leaders, including now president and CEO Peter Dyga, we launched and led initiatives such as Education 1, 2, 3 and staffing for the launch of ABCI trade training (wetrain.org). We also directed Politics 1, 2, 3 events, helping industry professionals understand how their knowledge, investment, and involvement in education and politics directly impacted projects, companies, and careers.

Of course, not everything went smoothly. I had plenty to learn, including navigating internal politics and unexpected challenges, including responding to a few tears. But those experiences shaped me, and over the years, I’ve coached men and women to recognize the unseen barriers holding them back in the industry. Read on to discover how those early lessons still apply today and how gaining the right perspective can be the key to breaking through in construction.

Celebrating Women in Construction: Progress, Leadership, and Challenges

The first full week of March since 1998 has been designated as Women in Construction (WIC) Week by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) to celebrate and promote the role of women in the construction industry. As of 2023, women comprise approximately 11.2% of the US construction workforce, totaling around 1.3 million workers. Within the industry, about 39% of women working in the industry here in the US hold leadership positions, including executive and senior leadership roles, as well as direct construction management positions, such as Project Coordinators, Project Managers, Senior Construction Managers, Estimators, Safety Professionals, and Preconstruction Specialists. Additionally, women hold nearly 80% of office and administrative support roles in construction, while only 4.3% of the total 7+ million in our industry working in skilled trades and construction labor positions are women.

When I chaired the Women’s Council 2002-2005, approximately 9% of the US Construction workforce were women. The breakdown was over 50% in administrative support roles, less than 30% in management and professional roles, and about 20% of the approximately 800,000 women in the trades or some form of production role.

Navigating Leadership and Inclusion: Lessons from the Women’s Council

Shortly after assembling the board for the Women’s Council—comprising individuals who by then and have since achieved remarkable success, including Anne McNeil, Carol Willis, Diana Yankee, Joanna Clarkson to name a few.  Dan called me into his office. He informed me about a woman who had attended our inaugural event and had introduced herself to me and others as her company’s administrator. When it came time to select board members, she remained silent; however, she later expressed her disappointment in tears to her employer, who was also on the association board. That concern was then escalated to the CEO, only for me to learn that she was the significant other of the firm’s owner and felt excluded. In the interest of maintaining relationships and navigating the politics of the situation, I ultimately chose to welcome her to the board, even though it may not have been the most logical decision at the time.

We would feature various women at the council who would share their stories of entering the industry and the challenges they overcame. A common denominator with the most successful was that they never used their femineity as a tool, and they owned the responsibilities they were afforded. They did not make anything a man vs. women issue but a mutual solution for the project, company, and team.

Actionable Leadership: Three Key Lessons for Success in Construction

Here are three tips I learned from chairing the women’s council that I hope will help you, female or male:

1. Encourage Open Dialogue and Self-Advocacy

Every professional should feel empowered to voice their aspirations and interests rather than relying on external influence. Fostering a culture where individuals openly express their leadership ambitions ensures that opportunities are based on capability and commitment rather than politics. This is especially important in construction, where those who step up and contribute meaningfully, regardless of gender, help shape the future. Yes, there are those times that politics must be considered as timing is everything when it comes to overcoming bias over capability and commitment.

2. Prioritize Merit Over Politics

Progress in construction and leadership is driven by recognizing individuals for their qualifications, contributions, and dedication to the work, not personal affiliations. Upholding merit-based selection strengthens the integrity of leadership roles and sets a precedent for future professionals. Honoring those who choose to build their careers in this industry, particularly the women who step into leadership, ensures recognition is earned through effort and impact.

3. Balance Relationships with Principles

While professional relationships matter, they should never come at the expense of the mission, whether in an association, project, or company. Transparency and fairness in selection processes ensure every individual, regardless of gender, has an equal opportunity to step forward and lead. Appreciating those who dedicate themselves to their work, especially in industries like construction, where leadership is built on results it strengthens the industry and those who drive it forward.

Honoring Women in Construction: A Celebration of Impact and Growth

This week, I celebrate not only my own successful career in this incredible industry but also the countless women who have trusted me to guide them in theirs and all the other incredible women in this industry I hope to meet someday. The construction industry thrives because of the dedication, resilience, and expertise of those who choose to build, on job sites, in leadership roles, and behind the scenes making things happen. To all the women who have stepped up, persevered, and made an impact, your hard work and contributions do not go unnoticed. Here’s to your success, growth, and the future we continue to build our careers together.

Happy Women in Construction Week,

Suzanne Breistol