Send us a Text Message.In this episode of Women Talk Construction, hosts Christi Powell and Angela Gardner are joined by Amy from Superior Construction to discuss the company's efforts in creating a supportive environment for women in the construction industry. Amy shares the origins and impact of Superior's Women in Construction program and highlights her own journey, celebrating her recent MBA achievement. The discussion covers mental health challenges, the importance of relationship building, and advice for women considering a transition into the construction field. Listeners are encouraged to follow Superior Construction on social media and reach out to Amy for support and guidance. Thanks for listening!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode: Angela Gardner and Christi Powell discuss the significant impact of the Women Construction Owners and Executives (WCOE) organization. Christi shares her profound experiences and the benefits of attending WCOE conferences, highlighting the organization's 40-year history of advocating for women business owners in the construction industry. They delve into WCOE's mission to provide business connections, education, and advocacy, and its role in shaping policy and creating a supportive network for women in construction. Christi also touches on how WCOE has helped her personally and professionally, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, networking, and the diverse opportunities for women to grow their businesses within the construction industry. Additionally, the hosts discuss upcoming events, the organizational structure of WCOE, and how to get involved, encouraging listeners to leverage this powerful platform for their growth and success in the construction sector.Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode: Christi Powell and Angela Gardner discuss the challenges and opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated fields, such as construction and aviation. Our special guest, Michelle 'MACE' Curran, a former fighter pilot and combat veteran, shares her journey from a small town in Wisconsin with no aviation background to becoming a fighter pilot and a solo pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds. Curran emphasizes the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and pushing limits both in aviation and life. She discusses the role of fitness in achieving peak performance and highlights the increasing number of women in aviation, attributing it to greater exposure and inspirational figures. Curran's transition from military to civilian life as an author and keynote speaker is driven by her desire to inspire and give back to the community. The episode also features a discussion on the key to successful teamwork and the essential nature of building trust among team members. Mace's insights are aimed at motivating students and women to believe in their potential and pursue their ambitions, regardless of the challenges they may encounter.Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode: Christi Powell & Angela Gardner feature Brittany Gentilhomme, an Assistant Superintendent from R. C. Matthews, discussing her unconventional path to the construction industry. With a degree in communication and diverse job experiences, including landscaping and fashion merchandising, Brittany shares how each role contributed to her problem-solving and leadership skills in construction. She emphasizes the role of storytelling in advocating for women and young people to pursue careers in construction and outlines her involvement with NAWIC and Crew Collab. Brittany also highlights the importance of listening, organization, and a fresh perspective on job sites. Additionally, the podcast touches on Brittany's personal achievements and her passion for changing landscapes and lives through construction.Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode: Angela and Christi discuss fostering inclusivity and effective leadership in the construction industry with their special guest, Jason Blair, CEO at TAL Building Centers. They explore Jason's unique approach to creating a welcoming environment for both women and men in a traditionally male-dominated field. Jason shares insights into his daily CEO responsibilities, emphasizing the variability and breadth of tasks he manages. He highlights the proactive steps taken to ensure 70% of his staff are women, emphasizing the importance of diversity and creating a culture where everyone feels valued and included. The conversation also delves into the Oz Principle and its impact on cultivating an accountability culture that attracts female talent. The importance of giving everyone a voice, regardless of gender, and the positive outcomes of such leadership practices on the company's overall success are also explored.Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Christi Powell and Angela Gardner discuss the significance of Women in Construction Week, International Women's Day, and Women's History Month. Despite the challenges and exhaustion these observances can bring, they emphasize the importance of showcasing women's achievements in the industry. Angela shares her packed schedule of events and advocacy efforts, highlighting the impact of visible support for women in non-traditional sectors. The episode also touches on the role of male allies in advancing gender equality within the construction industry. Additionally, Christi and Angela explore how to balance high-energy advocacy work with everyday responsibilities, underscoring the continual need to support and uplift women throughout the year. Thanks for listening!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode: Christi Powell and Angela Gardner engage with Dena Cordova Jack and Thea Dudley, founders of Women of LBM (WLBM), to discuss their roles and initiatives focused on uplifting women in the lumber and building materials (LBM) industry. They delve into the celebration and outcomes of Women in Construction Week, sharing personal experiences and highlighting the importance of mentorship, diversity, and community in fostering career advancement for women in traditionally male-dominated fields. The discussion also covers the significance of WLBM's efforts toward providing education, leadership skills, and networking opportunities for women in the industry. Dena and Thea share their career journeys, the motivation behind WLBM, and advice for women aiming to enter or progress within the LBM sector. This podcast underscores the transformative impact of diversity and mentorship in driving innovation and growth while inviting listeners to engage with WLBM's mission and resources.Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode: Christi Powell and Angela Gardner are joined by special guest Tori Neiman, the Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development at Clemson University. The conversation covers a variety of topics, starting with personal reflections from the hosts and guest on their current states of mind, and moving into an in-depth discussion about the initiatives and programs at Clemson aimed at supporting the personal and professional development of student-athletes. Tori shares insights into how Clemson Athletics is leading in areas such as leadership development, community service, and career preparation, emphasizing a holistic approach to student-athlete growth. The discussion highlights Clemson's unique position in offering these programs, Tori's professional background, and how other institutions can adopt similar practices for holistic student-athlete development. The episode concludes with details on how listeners can learn more about and support these initiatives at Clemson University.Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode of 'Women Talk Construction', hosts Christi Powell and Angela Gardner interview special guest Joycelyn Fankhauser, the manager of Boulder County Housing and Human Services for disaster. Fankhauser discusses her unique role in disaster management, a field where women are uncommon. She shares her journey of mentoring others, regardless of gender, to prepare for her eventual retirement. Additionally, Fankhauser talks about the joy of teaching her grandson to ski, exemplifying her passion for both her professional work and personal life. The discussion then delves into her career path, how she created her own job description to step into her role, and her involvement in managing various disasters in Boulder County, including floods, fires, a mass shooting, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Fankhauser highlights the importance of preparedness and community support in disaster management, especially in facing challenges like the influx of immigrants and the recovery from urban fires. The episode emphasizes the significance of paving one's own path and the impact of women in non-traditional roles. Thanks for Listening!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode of Women Talk Construction, co-hosts Angela Gardner and Christi Powell welcome Aileen Fuchs, the President and Executive Director of the National Building Museum. They discuss the museum's role in celebrating and teaching about the built environment, its significance as a national landmark, and its offerings that engage people across age groups. Aileen shares her journey to leading the museum, highlighting the pillars of equity, environment, innovation, and wonder that guide its missions. The conversation covers the museum's collaborative efforts with other organizations, youth engagement strategies, and the potential impact of these initiatives on attracting more women to the construction industry. Furthermore, Aileen details upcoming projects and expresses her vision for the museum to gain national prominence by making architecture and construction more accessible and relevant to all. Thank you for listening!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode:  Angela Gardner and Christy Powell converse with Anne Ellis, an influential figure in the construction industry and the first female chairman of the board at the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS). Anne shares her journey from being a first-generation college student to becoming a leader in the engineering and construction sectors. She highlights the importance of mentorship, innovation, and the shift towards performance-based expectations in building. Anne discusses her experience with scaling companies for sustainable growth and the significance of leadership and scalability. The episode delves into the roles of technology, sustainability, and business innovation in the AEC sector. Anne also advocates for reverse mentoring to leverage the digital native generation's knowledge. The conversation underscores the value of diversity and collaboration in driving industry advancements. Anne Ellis ends by encouraging newcomers to the field and stressing the construction industry's openness to technological advancements and efficiency improvements. Thanks for listening!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode: Christi Powell and Angela Gardner speak with special guest, Kayleen McCabe, a TV host, contractor, brand ambassador, and media influencer, about her journey in the construction industry. Kayleen shares her insights on the importance of skilled labor, and the role of women in addressing labor shortages, and addresses the misconception that success only follows a college education. She also discusses her work with the Construction Education Foundation in Georgia and the McCabe Foundation, an organization co-founded with her father focusing on providing opportunities for veterans and youth in the trades industry. Towards the end, she expresses her need for more opportunities to share her story and experiences to inspire and educate others, especially prospective or budding women in the construction field.Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode: Angela and Christi speak with Katie Page, the Director of Team Development at Hoopaugh Grading, a general contractor in the Carolinas specializing in turn-key site-packages. Katie has worked alongside the HGC Executive Leadership team to execute the company’s strategic vision to be a teaching company. Katie has also worked in public relations, marketing, and large-scale corporate event planning. We hear the challenges and rewards of being women in the construction industry. Katie shares her experiences of working in the industry and gives an insight into how Hoopaugh Grading operates. She further discusses the company's team development group, their focus on employee relations, and the opportunities they provide for growth and progression. Katie also shares some of her strategies for leading a team and how the construction industry can be attractive to potential employees.Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this Episode: Christi and Angela speak with Misha Homara, CEO of TriCore Panels,  a thriving entrepreneurial family business specializing in fabricating and installing top-notch architectural paneling systems for both commercial and residential projects. Misha is also a President of the WCOE CA, where she advocates for women's empowerment and equal opportunities in the construction industry. This podcast was unique in that we were able to talk to Misha about the technology that is being used in the construction industry mainly driven by the use of AI. These technologies allow companies in the construction field to work smarter, accomplish tasks faster, and most importantly, more safely. Listen to hear more about where the construction industry is heading and how new technologies can help you be more efficient and safe. Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode: Angela and Christi speak with Patriece Thompson, Community & Citizenship Manager, at Turner Construction. Patriece provides access for Underrepresented Business Enterprises (UBE) and minorities, women, veterans, and LGBTQ business enterprises within the construction industry. If you are a regular listener to our podcasts, you may have noticed that 'communication' is a topic that we talk about quite often. This podcast is no different and Patriece tells us that she believes good communication starts with learning to listen. Patriece has a lot of knowledge in working with youth engagement, workforce development, economic development, and outreach services so we love the advice that she gives our listeners in this podcast. Listen to hear more! Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode: Christi and Angela speak with Christine Yerkes, CEO of Yerkes South Inc.  - a general contractor, design, and build construction service company.  Christine has spent many years in the Navy and the Reserves as well as working as a civil engineer. With all of that valuable experience in the military, Yerkes decided to work on the other side as a general contractor working with the Federal Gov. on projects. Christine gives our listeners some advice on how to go about getting federal work if they should choose to take that path as well as some tips that can get you repeat business with federal company projects. She has a lot of experience on both sides of the federal/civilian construction industry. If you are curious as to what that's like, we encourage you to listen to find out more. Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode: Angela and Christi speak with Michele Daugherty,  President & CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors  (ABC) Central Florida Chapter where her leadership extends to various boards and committees, fostering workforce development and safety initiatives. In her current role in Central Florida, Michele continues to create pathways for others and advocates for diversity, safety, and total human health in the industry. Daugherty shares the challenges and experiences of being in the construction industry, the importance of communication and asking questions, strategies for driving growth and success, and the passion for supporting women in the field. If only we could bottle up the knowledge that Michele has about leading, communicating, and supporting an industry with a labor shortage of over 400 thousand women and men in 2023! Listen to hear more!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode: Christi and Angela speak with Victoria Fusco, Founder of The Leader HQ, a consultant group that partners with companies to instill purposeful leadership, offering custom development, executive coaching, and group training.  Fusco, the visionary behind The Leader HQ, leverages over a decade of leadership and entrepreneurial expertise. She combines her unique expertise, habit-forming frameworks, and team management skills, with a strong focus on growth, purpose, and achievement to drive optimal individual impact and organizational change. Listen to hear more about why Fusco started The Leader HQ as well as some of the success stories that are a result of her guidance and accountability. Thank you for listening!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode: Christi and Angela welcomes Alex Iacovelli (our new guest co-host) to the Women Talk Construction Podcast. Alex has been on before - Episode: 11 - as well as a our podcast about Mentorship - Episode: 93. Our topic for today is Impactful Organizations as we shout-out to some of the organizations that have been the most impactful to our team. We also discuss how to find an organization that is right for you as well as what questions to ask while considering joining a new organization.  Our team gives you some tips and tricks to think about before and during the search for an organization. There is a lot of great information in this podcast. Listen to find out more. Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode: The Women Talk Construction team discusses a topic that's near and dear to our hearts and is one of the main reasons that we do what we do in cooperation with our sister company (Women Confidence Builders) and that is Mentorship. Christi and Angela bring on Alex Iacovelli from 84 Lumber to hear the perspective of a younger generation on the topic of mentorship. Over the past two years, we have had the opportunity to talk to many wise and experienced folks who have themselves been mentored or have mentored others. With the combined knowledge of some of the best in the industry, we reveal tips and tricks that may clear up some misconceptions about being a mentor to others that need help navigating their careers in non-traditional roles. Listen to find out more!Support the Show.