For every 10 people working in construction, only one is a woman.
While that number hasn’t changed dramatically in the past 10 years—women made up 9.1 percent of construction workers in 2013, up from 10.8 percent last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics— , another aspect has shown more remarkable growth.
Surprisingly, given construction’s reputation as a male-dominated sector, women have been making more progress in management positions. Indeed, women now make up 10.6% of construction managers, up from 7.3% a decade ago. This is a growth rate of more than 45% for women construction managers in the last 10 years.
This gain in female construction leaders is especially evident in the nation’s third largest metropolitan area, Chicago. There, the offices of five major construction firms—Turner, Mortenson, Gilbane, AECOM Hunt, and Powers & Sons—are run by women.
To wrap up the month of March, which is a showcase for both Women in Construction Week and Women’s History Month, Construction Dive hosted a digital panel discussion with these five women leaders in construction to talk about their markets, their individual backgrounds and what sets Chicago apart when it comes to construction.
Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Immersion in CONSTRUCTION: In an industry that is predominantly male, why do you think there is a concentration of female construction leaders in Chicago?
KASIE MATHENA, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, AECOM HUNT: Women who have made it in construction tend to demonstrate characteristics of courage and mental fortitude by virtue of being women in a male-dominated construction space.
Kasie Mathena
Courtesy of AECOM Hunt
When you combine this toughness with Chicago as a progressive city that has evolved to see the value of women beyond more traditional careers geared toward women, the result is highly capable people, often women, leading organizations.
KATE VAN ZEYL, VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL MANAGER, TURNER: Chicago is a major, affordable metro area that attracts talent and supports a network of women helping women in all kinds of industries.
Kate Van Zeyl
Courtesy of Turner Construction
But it is also one of the most beautiful and architecturally significant cities in the United States with a concentration of world-class architecture and construction firms. This naturally creates more opportunities for growth and advancement in AEC careers.
KARRIE KRATZ, VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS MANAGER, GILBANE:
I moved to our Chicago office for an opportunity to advance professionally. I was drawn to this market and office because of the dynamic community that Chicago represents.
Tell us a little about your background and specific stories. How did you get into construction?
KELLY POWERS BARIA, VICE PRESIDENT, POWERS & SONS CONSTRUCTION: I followed my family’s legacy in the construction industry. My grandfather founded Powers & Sons in 1967, and my father became president 20 years later, so I’ve grown up in and around the industry.
Kelly Powers Baria
Courtesy of Powers & Sons Construction
My father always felt that there was a place for anyone who wanted to work in the family business, no matter what they wanted to do. I earned my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University and then worked in various real estate roles before returning to Powers & Sons in 2007. I now represent the third generation of the Powers family at the firm.
SHERYL VAN ANNE, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, MORTENSON: I believe that my path to the construction industry is not necessarily exceptional. What is remarkable is that I continued to build.
Sheryl Van Anne
Courtesy of Mortenson Construction
Despite being in an industry where limited opportunities for advancement or growth can deter women from staying long-term, I knew I had found the right place for me. But I also knew I had to stay resilient to combat stereotypes. To do this, I created a large network of people around me who I knew I could lean on and who encouraged me to persevere.
VAN ZEYL: My interest in the built environment dates back to when I was the only woman in drawing classes at my high school. I decided to study architecture at university because I didn’t know of any other career opportunities in the industry at the time. After 11 years as a practicing architect, I realized that my passion was really building rather than designing.
A friend recommended that I consider changing my career path to the construction industry and I have never looked back.
MORNING: My father was a self-taught residential roofing and siding contractor. I would go to work with him in the summer from the age of 6 until I was 14. There was something about these experiences and observations that made me really appreciate what I love most about our industry: the opportunity to use both sides. of my brain I started seriously in the industry at 19 through internships and part-time work and never looked back.
Do we all network together?
VAN ZEYL: We absolutely network and meet regularly, both socially and professionally. This network is important as we each navigate our businesses, professional development, and personal growth. Even though we are competitors, we all want to see others succeed.
ANNA’S: Of couse! Because there are limited numbers in this group, and the challenges we face can only be understood by each other, we focus on uniting each other, because at the end of the day, it’s all about the greater good. industry giant.
KRATZ: My experience in both construction and Chicago is that women leaders find great benefit in networking together.
Karrie Kratz
Courtesy of Gilbane Building Co.
It creates support and development, but also increases the sense of belonging. Most of us are active members of the Professional Women in Construction Chicago chapter, which hosts many types of networking events.
What is your current outlook for construction in Chicago?
VAN ZEYL: While we have seen a decline in commercial projects, the market remains strong for institutional, healthcare, sports, aviation, advanced technology and entertainment projects.
MORNING: In Chicago, we haven’t been hit as hard by the trade labor shortage challenges that many parts of the rest of the country have experienced. However, our market needs to work collectively to get more women and people of color into the trades.
ANNA’S: Chicago’s construction market is slowly recovering, and we are optimistic for continued growth in a number of markets, including healthcare, manufacturing and the technology industry. Women, among other diverse groups, are a generally untapped resource that can help support the creation of a healthy pipeline of talent across all positions.
Construction has moved forward to be more inclusive for women. But how come this job takes even longer for women?
KRATZ: Succession of relationships would say that it is still a tough job that is more difficult for women in this industry. Women have to work exponentially harder to build trust with senior managers, who are still mostly men. Disruption of protégé norms and unconscious biases in this area of professional development in construction is still emerging.
BARIA POWERS: Although we have seen great improvement, women are still underrepresented in the industry, especially in management positions. We often have to work twice as hard as our male counterparts to overcome stereotypes and preconceived notions of what a woman’s role should be.
ANNA’S: While women’s participation in construction has been steadily increasing over the past decade, it is moving at a glacial pace, leaving significant room for improvement.
Unfortunately, challenges still exist for women within this male-dominated industry that can create an uncomfortable and hostile work environment. Furthermore, opportunities are still not equally accessible and representation is limited.
What advice do you have for other women who are or want to enter the industry?
MORNING: Get rid of self-limiting beliefs and get to know yourself really well. Play to your strengths, but know your weaknesses and use them as a resource for learning. If you know yourself, work hard, learn the trade, and have an insatiable curiosity, the sky’s the limit in our industry.
VAN ZEYL: As women, there is a tendency to give credit rather than take credit for your achievements. We have to overcome this and take our successes.
BARIA POWERS: If you’re looking to get into the industry, here’s a place for you.
Find other women and men who are willing to be a mentor and build that relationship with them. The women in the company you work for are often a valuable resource for knowing how to deal with challenges that may arise.
KRATZ: My advice is to start building your internal and external networks early in your career; you don’t have to go it alone, there are plenty of people willing and eager to be a mentor. Seek out these people and spend time building on these relationships, you will need these mentors and champions at every step of your career.
ANNA’S: we need you period
