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This article is part of a series of conversations with women leaders in the construction industry. Click here for previous discussions.
The construction meetings Jill Hudkins attends today look very different than they did 30 years ago.
Early in her construction career, Hudkins said she was often the only woman at a job site or meeting. Today, as chief executive of AECOM Advisory, the construction giant’s infrastructure consulting arm, Hudkins sees more women involved in major projects in addition to business strategy.
Hudkins’ own three-decade career has followed that shift.
He spent more than 20 years in an operational and strategic leadership role at Tetra Tech, an engineering and consulting firm based in Pasadena, California. His accomplishments include expanding the firm’s data analytics and launching its digital water practice. In 2024, Hudkins joined AECOM to develop and launch AECOM Advisory.
Hudkins spoke with Construction Dive about her path into the industry, opportunities for women in construction and advice for the younger generation.
Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Construction Immersion: Why did you choose a career in construction?
JILL HUDKINS: I have many engineers in my family, including my father who introduced me to the possibilities of engineering and construction. His dedication and commitment to the industry shaped many of my early educational and career choices.
Jill Hudkins
Courtesy of AECOM
I saw early on that this industry offered an opportunity to build and run successful companies and drive meaningful change. What makes this vision a reality is the passion that individuals and teams bring to every opportunity and challenge.
No single person delivers a successful project. It takes consultants, engineers, architects, planners, construction professionals, clients and communities working collaboratively to achieve a common goal.
For me, this collaboration is one of the most rewarding aspects of our industry. This sense of purpose, combined with the long-term value of our work, is what makes this career so meaningful.
What does being a woman in construction mean to you?
I have found that the industry offers many opportunities for women.
I have had advocates and mentors throughout my 30+ year career. The women who preceded me, as well as my colleagues today, are tenacious, hardworking, systems thinkers who solve problems and become trusted advisors to our clients for decades. This is an industry where every day presents new challenges and opportunities, offering huge potential to build a meaningful career and make a tangible difference to people’s lives through the work we offer.
Seeing more women thrive and lead in our industry is exciting, and reinforces the importance of supporting and investing in the next generation of talent.
This means mentoring others and having meaningful conversations that help break down barriers and create pathways for future leaders. It includes providing the opportunity to build confidence and resilience to help young women and girls better understand the endless opportunities available to them and inspire them to pursue careers without limits.
What work are you most proud of?
It’s hard to pick just one example from three decades of work, but I think the work I’m most proud of is growing extraordinary teams and working on early water infrastructure projects in desalination and water reuse.
One that stands out is our multi-year infrastructure advisory work supporting the City of Los Angeles with recovery and reconstruction efforts following the 2025 Palisades Fire.
This work includes infrastructure, supply chain and logistics planning, as well as long-term recovery planning for the Palisades community.
This is the type of work that excites our team the most. We’re applying the same forward-thinking approach to emerging issues like the rapid growth of data centers, where we’re helping customers balance growth with environmental stewardship.
What is your advice to other women in construction?
My top three answers are being authentic, saying yes strategically, and being kind and supportive to others along the way.
Your strengths are your number one asset, lean on those strengths that change results. Seize opportunities when they arise, even if they feel challenging or out of your comfort zone. Throughout my career, some of the most rewarding experiences have come from taking on new challenges. Kindness and integrity go a long way in a multi-decade career. Long-term relationships are built on mutual respect and transparency.
At AECOM, when we partner with our clients, we often feel that the experience we bring is differentiated. I believe part of this unique customer experience comes from the variety of perspectives and real-world knowledge that talented women and a diverse set of professionals bring to our teams.
When women are empowered to apply their knowledge and lead with confidence, they contribute to stronger results and the long-term success of our clients, projects and industry.
I would also encourage women to be motivated to take charge of their careers, be resilient in difficult times and seek out new experiences that build their skills and networks.
