Women Are Making Steady Gains in Construction

After holding steady at less than 10 percent of workers prior to 2016, women now represent 11.5 percent of the construction industry’s workforce, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Those numbers are expected to continue to climb as women’s roles expand beyond office jobs to include careers in the field as project managers, engineers, superintendents, general managers and business owners. 

Here in Chicago, women’s representation has outpaced national gains in the last five years, rising from 6.6 percent of construction workers in 2020 to 10.5 percent in 2025, the Census reports. We see this growth in practice every day at the Obama Presidential Center job site. 

For Women’s History Month, we reached out to some of the outstanding women who are contributing their talents to the Center. They shared advice, inspiration and what it means to be a part of this historic project.

• Uniqwa Harris, Pipefitter (Local 597)

• Teresa Richey, Owner and Treasurer of Mark Richey Woodworking

• Shelley Ryan, General Superintendent of BrightView Construction

• Kelly Tancos, Journeyman (Local 134) at LiveWire Construction

• Kristen Moore, Project Engineer at Lakeside Alliance

• April Shewry, Project Engineer at Lakeside Alliance

• Blessing Aigbokhai, LEED/Project Engineer at Lakeside Alliance

• Desiree McKinney, Project Engineer at Lakeside Alliance

• Bridget Chojnacki, Vice President of Air Design Systems, Inc.

• Nicole Sherman, Owner and Founder of Fine Concrete

• Margaret Caspers, Project Manager at W.E. O’Neil / Concrete Collective JV

• Roxanna Daniel, President and CEO of TAJ Development Company

• Pamela Self, Founder of Pamela Self Landscape Architecture

• Nancy Bourbon, President and Owner of Bourbon Tile & Marble, Inc. 

• Ebony Phillips, Info Services and Support & Senior Engineer at Lakeside Alliance

Fill in the blank: Women in construction are: _____

Uniqwa: Gutsy.

Teresa: Confident.

Shelley: Resilient.

Kelly: Unstoppable.

Kristen: Resilient.

April: Tenacious.

Blessing: Feminine.

Desiree: Courageous.

Bridget: Resilient.

Nicole: Smart.

Margaret: Persistent.

What would you say to women who are considering a career in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC)?

Uniqwa: I would say to go for it! It’s very challenging mentally and physically. It’s also very rewarding and beneficial. We need more women in the trades!

Teresa: I would say the same message regardless of what career path they were pursuing, and that message is to pursue your dreams without fear and be confident in your ability. I believe that everything can be for everyone if you have a plan and are determined.

Shelley: It is challenging, but no two days are the same and it is highly rewarding. The people you will meet along the way will help you. Go for it!

Kelly: These career choices are great for women — it’s not just a man’s world. Go after your dreams.

Kristen: Go for it. Despite challenges, the industry offers opportunities for growth and leadership. Build a support network, stay confident and embrace learning. Your perspective is valuable, and you can inspire future generations.

April: Architecture, engineering and construction are some of the most universally-applicable fields in the world — every single person on the planet interacts with a product of the AEC industry every single day whether it be roads, buildings, parks, etc. By bringing your unique perspective and voice to this industry, you can have a tangible impact on your neighbors, your community and future generations.

Blessing: Never take no for an answer. If someone tells you no, it just means you need to find the one person who will say and have your yes — because that one yes can open the door to a million other opportunities. That’s exactly how I got this job.

Desiree: Go for it! The construction industry has made significant strides in embracing gender diversity, with more women now accessing opportunities and even holding positions of power. However, there is still a strong push for greater representation, and numerous opportunities remain for women looking to make their mark.

Bridget: Be yourself, find your passion and work hard. Look for a woman mentor or join an organization that can help you find your path. Air Design Systems has worked with ACE Amandla High School the past four years teaching about available careers in the trades, and we enjoyed being able to have a female intern onsite at the Center where she could see first hand all the different opportunities.

Nicole: It is a great career with many opportunities. There have been a lot of positive changes in the work culture.

Margaret: I would strongly encourage any woman interested in AEC to pursue it. There are so many different projects, positions and types of work you can be exposed to, either close to home or traveling to different areas. These roles are also very stable as work is always being built or maintained.

Roxanna: Don’t allow anyone to demean or tell you that your value isn't needed. Be prepared to work harder than you ever have before, but never give up your mental health to compete with anyone.

Pamela: It is a fulfilling profession to shape our world functionally and provide beauty to a community.

Nancy: Come join us! There are abundant opportunities. We are especially excited to get more women in the construction industry. Trades provide a great avenue for building a long-term career with good wages, benefits and skills that can be utilized not only on job sites but also in your own home.

Ebony: Being an engineer is one of the most rewarding positions.

Who are the women you look up to in your career, and why?

Uniqwa: Any woman that has come before is inspiring...Each woman I have encountered in construction has a different story that, in some way, I can relate to.

Teresa: I have always been inspired by strong women. Some women in particular that I have looked up to in my career are Tish Gardner, Estimator at Shawmut Design & Construction; Sharon Cadman, first woman VP at Shawmut Design & Construction; and Lois Goodell, Director of Interior Design at CBT Architects. These women achieved success through their abilities and confidence.

Shelley: I look up to all those who came before me — they paved the way.

Kelly: There are many women I look up to. Ruth Bader Ginsburg comes to mind because I think her drive, determination and unrelenting commitment are a humongous inspiration.

Kristen: I look up to women in my field who demonstrate strong leadership, resilience and a commitment to mentorship, such as my direct manager and business unit manager. Their perseverance, dedication to excellence, and willingness to lift others up are qualities I strive to embody in my own career.

April: There are a couple of female project executives at Turner Construction that I have had the pleasure of working with over my career. They both are confident and hard-working, but the quality that I most admire is their ability to maintain a positive attitude even when things get stressful or frustrating.

Blessing: Every woman I know and interact with on the Obama Presidential Center project inspires me in unique and incredible ways. They exemplify the true power of femininity in a field that often underrepresents us, proving that strength, leadership and resilience are not just present but thriving. These women may not always be the majority in the room, but their impact is undeniable. I am grateful to witness and learn from their brilliance every day.

Desiree: One woman I admire in my career is Kate Van Zeyl, the General Manager for the Chicago business unit at Turner Construction and Lakeside Alliance Principal. Kate’s genuine care, mentorship and ability to balance high-level responsibilities with personal acknowledgment exemplify the qualities of empathy, dedication and authentic leadership that I find truly inspiring.

Bridget: I look up to our president, Patricia Hickey, who has fearlessly led through the years. She has always been the heart of our company, knowing that our people matter most. I also look up to the women who are sheet metal workers in the Local 73 trade, as well as the other trades on site.

Nicole: Michelle Obama. She is caring, strong and resilient.

Margaret: I really look up to my mom. She is not in the AEC industry, but she researched engineering when I was interested in math and science in junior high. She supported me as I learned more about engineering and construction and encouraged me to continue to grow my career, both in the good times and especially in the frustrating times.

Pamela: Mikyoung Kim and Jeanne Gang. They combine art and function.

Nancy: Other business owners that not only run their own businesses but also take time to mentor other women and contribute to associations that focus on promoting women in business and construction. I especially look up to women who balance family, personal matters and their businesses yet are often under- appreciated.

What does it mean to you to participate in this project?

Uniqwa: As an African American woman, I’m very honored and proud to participate in this job. Barack Obama made history becoming our 44th president and here I am helping to build his Presidential Center! Also, being a woman in the trades is making my own history that I can add to the list.

Shelley: I am proud to be a part of such a large and meaningful project in Chicago and American history. The collaboration, genuine care for the fellow worker and overall camaraderie is unique. I look forward to spending time at the Museum and the park for many years to come, and bringing my family to show them what we accomplished together.

Kelly: It’s a great experience to be present in the construction of President Obama’s legacy.

Nicole: It is the highlight of my career to be a part of this vast network of architects, designers, thinkers, artisans and contractors all working together to achieve a meaningful and lasting place for the community and the nation.

Roxanna: I do not have the words to express the magnitude and depth of gratitude I have for this opportunity...The learning experiences and the patience of the team at BrightView is something just five years ago I would not have believed. To be Black, a woman and a member of the LGBTQ+ community and not have any of that hinder us but propel us in this environment is something no one could have told me was possible.

Pamela: It is a highlight of my career to be a part of a great man's legacy project.

Ebony: It means the world to me to be able to assist the Lakeside Alliance team with any support they need to succeed on the project. It’s also a chance to make sure women are recognized and appreciated for the contributions they make in the industry.