15th anniversary video

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Sarah Forrest, Hensel Phelps

How Would You Play Today…A session about leading and owning your ability to SHOW UP for other women in the Industry. 

Maria Ford, DEWALT

The construction pipeline begins long before a shovel is put in the ground. This session will examine the key trends, challenges and opportunities that are shaping the industry—like the cyclical nature of market downturns, workforce shortages, market volatility and innovation. Industry leaders will share how their organizations are adapting to these challenges and preparing for the year ahead.

Global demand for data is skyrocketing, fueling an unprecedented construction boom in the data center industry. These aren't just big boxes; they're highly complex, critical infrastructure projects that demand a diverse range of skilled trades and construction management expertise. Simultaneously, the skilled trades are facing a significant shortage. This isn't just a trend; it's an economic problem that will hinder our future growth and innovation.

As you step into leadership roles, mastering strategic decision-making becomes indispensable for your growth, success, and happiness.
Our panel of exceptional women from across the construction industry will share their invaluable experiences in confronting tough decisions, revealing the lessons they've garnered, their current approach to daily leadership operations, and the delicate balancing act between decisiveness, efficiency, inclusion, and collaboration. 

As the size and complexity of construction projects continues its relentless march forward, this session will explore the evolving risks of mega projects, and how they are reshaping the risk landscape and what leaders and stakeholder need in order to stay ahead the this ever accelerating trend. 

It is no secret that women who work actually have two jobs, one at home and one at work. “Invisible labor” is the work women shoulder in the household. On average, women spend two extra hours per day of unpaid domestic labor at home compared to men — added up over a year, that’s more than a full month of extra chores, errands, and family management. This panel discussion will discuss how to manage those invisible labor hours that must often be prioritized over Work Hours.

Join an empowering conversation led by an experienced construction attorney and a panel of industry professionals as they dive into the strategies behind successful negotiation—both in the field and in the office. Explore how to confidently advocate for your value, navigate tough jobsite conversations, and negotiate for titles, compensation, and time. Learn to leverage your skills and experiences, understand your worth, and walk away with actionable tips to shape your trajectory.

To lead well, you must be well. In construction, nothing gets built without a blueprint. You are that blueprint: for your career, your well-being, and your future. Yet it's easy to put others first and leave your own needs at the bottom of the list. This session is a reminder that if you don’t take care of yourself first, the rest of the structure can’t stand strong.  

Speak, Connect, Build is a dynamic and reflective 50-minute workshop designed specifically for women in construction to explore the power of storytelling and build community through shared experience. Through guided reflection, connection prompts, and story mapping, participants will explore what it means to build stories – and why it matters.

Cierra Kaler-Jones, Ph.D., Unlock Your Story

One of the biggest problems with business communication is that your audiences forget 90% of what you share after 2 days. But how can they act on your message if they only remember a tenth of it? Discover strategies for transforming yourself and your message into something worth noticing and remembering. We'll look at the field of neuroscience, which reveals insights on how the brain processes information and tends to remember it – or, more often – forget it. 

Dr. Carmen Simon, Corporate Visions

This session is designed to strengthen and elevate your leadership presence within the construction industry. You’ll explore essential strategies to lead effectively, keep your teams safe, aligned, and engaged, and advance your career with confidence. We'll dive into practical tools to help you evolve your leadership style and foster high-performing teams. Sub topics may include leadership development, career advancement and building the next generation of diverse leadership in construction.

Moderated by: Joanna Kozlowski, Resolute Consulting

Global demand for data is skyrocketing, fueling an unprecedented construction boom in the data center industry. These aren't just big boxes; they're highly complex, critical infrastructure projects that demand a diverse range of skilled trades and construction management expertise. Simultaneously, the skilled trades are facing a significant shortage. This isn't just a trend; it's an economic problem that will hinder our future growth and innovation.

As you step into leadership roles, mastering strategic decision-making becomes indispensable for your growth, success, and happiness.
Our panel of exceptional women from across the construction industry will share their invaluable experiences in confronting tough decisions, revealing the lessons they've garnered, their current approach to daily leadership operations, and the delicate balancing act between decisiveness, efficiency, inclusion, and collaboration. 

As the size and complexity of construction projects continues its relentless march forward, this session will explore the evolving risks of mega projects, and how they are reshaping the risk landscape and what leaders and stakeholder need in order to stay ahead the this ever accelerating trend. 

Join an empowering conversation led by an experienced construction attorney and a panel of industry professionals as they dive into the strategies behind successful negotiation—both in the field and in the office. Explore how to confidently advocate for your value, navigate tough jobsite conversations, and negotiate for titles, compensation, and time. Learn to leverage your skills and experiences, understand your worth, and walk away with actionable tips to shape your trajectory.

It is no secret that women who work actually have two jobs, one at home and one at work. “Invisible labor” is the work women shoulder in the household. On average, women spend two extra hours per day of unpaid domestic labor at home compared to men — added up over a year, that’s more than a full month of extra chores, errands, and family management. This panel discussion will discuss how to manage those invisible labor hours that must often be prioritized over Work Hours.

To lead well, you must be well. In construction, nothing gets built without a blueprint. You are that blueprint: for your career, your well-being, and your future. Yet it's easy to put others first and leave your own needs at the bottom of the list. This session is a reminder that if you don’t take care of yourself first, the rest of the structure can’t stand strong.  

Speak, Connect, Build is a dynamic and reflective 50-minute workshop designed specifically for women in construction to explore the power of storytelling and build community through shared experience. Through guided reflection, connection prompts, and story mapping, participants will explore what it means to build stories – and why it matters.

Cierra Kaler-Jones, Ph.D., Unlock Your Story

Hear directly from trailblazing women business owners who are reshaping the construction industry. In this session, a panel of leaders will share their entrepreneurial journeys — the challenges they've overcome, the lessons they've learned, and the successes they've built. Their inspiring stories highlight resilience, innovation, and leadership, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to grow a business, lead a team, or drive change in the construction sector. 

Moderated by: Stephen Seeger, Cozen O'Connor

Sarah Pearlstein, Seneca Group