Breaking Barriers: Powerful Stories from the Women of ASA
In October, ASA Arizona hosted the Build Her Up: Meet the Women of ASA event, bringing together women from different roles and professional backgrounds who share a commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive construction community.
Our Commitment as Title Sponsor
As the Build Her Up Title Sponsor, we at Pacific Construction are incredibly proud to host these events. We are committed to fostering a community where women leaders can come together to share their stories and encourage the next generation of women in the industry.
The Women of the Panel
The event featured an engaging panel discussion with six women who shared their unique journey and lessons throughout their career.
Our Project Manager, Joanne Gomez, represented Pacific Construction, sharing insights from her own experience, from how she started to the defining moments that shaped her into the leader she is today.
Joanne was joined by an inspiring group of panelists:
– Stephanie Hughes, Canyon State Electric
– Shelby Villano, Farha Roofing
– Mary Clanton, AZ Turf Masters
– Lindsey Wynne, Stallion Infrastructure
– Lindsey Wheeler, Premier Risk Management
Inside the Discussion
The panelists dove deep into a series of questions that covered the full scope of a woman’s career in construction.
Career Inspiration: The women reflected on what inspired them to pursue a career in construction, highlighting the varied paths and backgrounds, from those with years of experience to those who recently switched fields.
ASA’s Influence: Many shared that being involved with ASA has supported both their personal and professional growth by helping them build meaningful connections, opening doors to new opportunities, and being part of a community of like-minded individuals.
Overcoming Challenges: The panelists discussed overcoming the challenges of being a woman in construction. They expressed that they rarely feel fear; however, when a challenge arises, they would address it through difficult conversations and move forward with confidence.
Leadership Traits: The women outlined the leadership traits that have helped them succeed in fast-paced or stressful situations. These traits included setting expectations, giving grace, actively listening, and providing opportunities for others.
Advice for Young Women: The top advice the panel offered for young women who may be hesitant to enter a male-dominated industry is to be confident in what you know, while remaining open to learning what you don’t.
Joanne shared,
“It’s okay to not know everything. Be humble enough to say, I don’t know and ask the question. There is nothing wrong with asking a question… Be honest with yourself and don’t be afraid.”
Future Vision: Panelists shared what they would like to see in the industry in the next five years. They discussed the rapid advancement of technology, especially AI, highlighting that it could significantly change how the industry operates, even in ways that are hard to predict today.
Driving Change
The Build Her Up events are more than networking—they’re inspiring a movement. These women are setting a new standard for the industry, creating a strong and inclusive foundation for the future. By turning inspiration into action, these events are driving meaningful, lasting change.
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