CONEXPO has been unwavering in its support for the growing role women are playing in the construction industry. In fact, the largest trade show in North America unveiled the world’s largest 3D-printed statue of a female construction worker at the 2020 conference.
The 2023 conference kept the momentum going for women in the construction industry, with multiple education sessions devoted to the topic. We attended the “Bold Leadership for Women” session hosted by Kristina McMillan, a Marketing Director for HATCH Engineering. She was joined by speakers Alicia Brentzel, President at Brex Enterprises, Amanda Kurt, Vice President & Managing Partner at Kurk, Inc, Katherine Freeman, Safety Director at Mortenson Denver Operating Group, and Stephanie Scott, VP of Financial Planning and Analysis at IMI (Irving Materials).
It was a candid discussion about each speaker’s lived experiences in a male-dominated construction industry.
Finding your place in the construction industry
Alicia Brentzel is a busy mother of 5 who jumped full-time into construction in 2017 and was immediately thrust into a leadership role. She said not being afraid to ask questions from co-workers helped her to establish herself. The other speakers on the panel echoed her sentiment that learning was key early on in their development.
Alicia: “My ‘AHA!’ moment came when I was surrounded by my crew and I let them lead me, so I can become a leader. It took a couple years. I didn’t have to have all the answers right away, but being able to let go of that insecurity – that I didn’t have to have all the answers right away – really helped.
Kathy: I went to the field and I learned from them. I took the humble approach, learned from others, and that gave me the confidence to do my job. You need to have an open mind and be humble.
Amanda: Being a young woman in construction, people would say: ‘Does she know what she is talking about? Can she make those kinds of decisions?’ To combat them I am very adamant about knowing the project, thoroughly. Now I am an expert in our specific industry. I had similar open conversation with our crews.
Stephanie: Going out in the field and learning and asking the questions. An example would be: What’s a D6? It’s ok to ask those question you don’t know because it helps you learn.
Finding your allies in construction
Amanda works for her father’s concrete contracting business in Wisconsin. She said the industry is typically very male-dominated but that her unique perspective has been welcomed more than she might have expected.
Amanda: At almost every event I attend someone pulls me aside and tells me they are so glad to have another type of perspective, and they wish there was more. I was surprised that was out there and those men would be welcoming.
Alicia: It was great for the field to not judge me on my lack of knowledge early on. Because I was asking questions, and through that I found allies.
Stephanie: There will be some people who disappoint you along the way. For me it was much more important to find the ones who supported me and focus on them.
What does it mean to have ‘balance’ in your life
Kathy, who was just nominated to the board of directors for the AGC, said it took her a long time to realize it is ok to pull away from work and devout time to her family, and vice versa. Being a working mother isn’t easy, and you can’t please everyone all the time, she added.
Kathy: I come from a generation that expected you to do everything. You naturally want to say ‘yes’ to everyone, but if you are not careful you are going to overextend yourself. Understand you can balance it all, but forgive yourself and don’t be hard on yourself. It’s ok to give yourself 30 mins or an hour when you need it. It’s ok to go to gym in the middle of the day. I always thought if I took time for myself, I was robbing my kids or my company.
Alicia: When you look at doing it all – you have to define the ‘all’. It depends on what you want your life to look like. Balance is achievable but it depends on how you define that balance. It’s learning yourself and knowing what fills your cup.
Advice for women in the construction industry
Amanda: Put your goal out in front of you and take a step toward it. You will go faster or slower, but if you have an idea where you want to go, you will figure out how to get there.
Kathy: Sometimes our enemies are ourselves because we talk ourselves out of things, and don’t shame yourself. Missing a meeting because you have to take your kids to the dentist doesn’t make you a bad leader.
Stephanie: Don’t be afraid to ask. Just ask for it – whatever it is.
Alicia: Be your own biggest advocate. Position yourself and the people around you to support that. I left the last CONEXPO show saying I wanted to be a speaker and today I am. You guys helped to get me here.
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Learn more about what it’s like to be a woman working at Ritchie Bros.