AEC Professional Organizations Collaborate to Advance Women in Construction
On the heels of Women in Construction Week and the last day of Women’s History Month, four architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry professional women’s organizations joined forces for the inaugural Women Working Together (WWT) Networking Event.
A collaboration between the American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles Women in Architecture Committee (AIALA-WiA), the National Association of Women in Construction Los Angeles Chapter (NAWIC-LA), the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California Women in Structural Engineering Committee (SEAOSC-WiSE), and the Women in Construction Operations Southern California Chapter (WiOPS), the sold-out evening event took place March 31 at City Green in downtown Los Angeles.
“Working in male-dominated industries of varying degrees, women in architecture, engineering, and construction careers may not have many other women to interact with and learn from in their daily work environments,” said Michelle Kam-Biron, WWT Steering Committee member representing SEAOSC-WiSE and a mass timber specialist at Structurlam. “The WWT Networking Event provided an opportunity for the participating professional organizations and members to connect as a larger group and expand their voice, work to increase opportunities for principal positions in their industries, and develop mutually beneficial relationships moving forward.”
With approximately 170 people in attendance, this was the first time these four organizations have collaborated to provide an opportunity for their members to interact. In keeping with the “women working together” theme, the event featured a selection of wine procured and made by women winemakers from Vinovore, as well as a special performance by Spags, an electric female violinist who is a master at creatively merging the classical violin with modern music.
“This event, during Women’s History Month, delivers allyship, support, and collaboration that will lead to positive change in our professions well beyond this celebratory time,” said Jennifer Noel Wong, WWT Steering Committee member representing AIA|LA -WiA and an associate at CO Architects.
“A highlight for me was having the opportunity to meet a vast array of interesting, bright, and accomplished individuals,” said Kelly Strain, senior project manager at Chambers Group, an environmental consulting firm.
Other positive feedback about the evening echoed by multiple attendees reflected the pleasure they received in connecting with other women, discovering opportunities to positively impact the advancement of women, being part of the significant turnout — of both men and women — to support women in the industry, and last but not least, enjoying an elegant event, venue, and entertainment.
With the numbers beginning to improve due to company and professional organization efforts such as the WWT event, women are still underrepresented in the AEC industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women comprise only 10.9% of construction industry workers, yet they make up 47% of the nation’s workforce. Architecture and engineering fare a little better, with women comprising 27% of the workers in this sector. Studies also show that AEC industry careers for women are often short-lived due to inflexible hours, nonprogressive culture, lack of advancement, and limited mentorship opportunities.
“In response to the AEC industry experiencing pre- and post-pandemic talent shortages, along with increases in market demands and realizing the advantages of having a diverse staff, attracting and retaining more women to AEC careers has become a growing industry-wide focus,” Kam-Biron explained. “Exemplifying this movement, the organizations leading WWT are seeing an uptick in engagement among industry companies, boosting our efforts to support and advance women in their AEC careers.”
Ileana Holguin, WWT Steering Committee member representing NAWIC-LA and vice president of project executive at McCarthy Building Companies, noted: “The company sponsorships and turnout for our inaugural WWT event were overwhelming. It was inspiring to meet and talk with so many supportive men and women in different AEC-industry roles and stages of their careers. With college interns, project managers, vice presidents, business owners, and more engaging in conversations, everyone had the opportunity to develop fruitful new business connections and relationships.”
The event garnered the financial support of 21 companies including: Brandow & Johnston, Coleman Equipment Rentals, Clark Construction, IMEG Corp., McCarthy Building Cos., Pacific Wall Systems Inc., T&S Structural, Abet Laminati, Giroux Glass Inc., HBC, JRM Construction West, Martin Bros., Murray Co., Vulcan Materials Co., Structural Focus, Thornton Tomasetti, Hathaway Dinwiddie, Kimley Horn, MATT Construction, Miyamoto, and USGBC-LA.
The planning team reveals that this will likely not be an isolated event.
“Due to this level of interest within the industry, the WWT steering committee is planning another WWT event next year and will continue to look for regular opportunities to network with one another,” Kam-Biron reported.
The following individuals served on the WWT steering committee: Michelle Kam-Biron, SEAOSC-WiSE, Structurlam; Ashley Richardson, AIALA-WiA, Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects; Jennifer Noel Wong, AIALA-WiA, CO Architects; Leah Wimberly, WiOPS, Pacific Wall Systems Inc; Barbara Kotsos, NAWIC-LA, Giroux Glass; and Ileana Holguin, NAWIC-LA, McCarthy Building Cos.
