Women in Construction: Building the Next Chapter

The construction industry has made significant strides in opening its doors to women, but industry leaders say the next step is ensuring that today’s progress translates into long-term change.

Stacy Roman, a project executive at Newton, Massachusetts-based Chapman Construction/Design, believes the future lies in women helping one another step into leadership roles. “How you present yourself to others should be a direct reflection on how you see yourself. Be kind. Be strong. Take up space,” Roman said.

Roman, who also hosts the podcast Behind the Façade, has spent much of her career reflecting on the challenges women face on the jobsite and beyond. While she has celebrated milestones and growth opportunities, she also acknowledges barriers that often aren’t visible. “I can also look back and recognize that there were some hurdles along the way, and they may not be the ‘usual suspects’ as it relates to some of the pathways I’ve had to navigate to get to where I am now,” she explained.

One of her central calls to action is expanding mentorship. She emphasizes that mentorship should not be limited to one or two relationships but instead viewed as an ecosystem of support. “Recently on my podcast, we spoke about assembling your personal board of directors. Women should find leaders who can help them support and guide them through different aspects of their careers, from business development to innovation on the jobsite,” Roman said.

Shaping the Next Chapter

Roman highlights several areas where women in construction can elevate one another and strengthen the industry:

Owning your professional identity

‍She encourages women to share their expertise confidently in personal and professional spaces, from networking events to casual community gatherings. “It’s not about pouncing on a prospect or appearing hungry for a deal; rather, it’s letting peers outside of work know what you do so you might someday be able to help solve a problem,” she said.

Collaboration over competition

‍Despite cultural progress, Roman observes that competition among women in the industry persists. “I still see too many young, professional women looking for guidance and support from female leaders get cut down due to a misplaced perception that they are competing for spots on the team,” she said, adding that leaders must change that culture.

Redefining advancement

‍She argues that career growth should be framed around contributing to an organization’s long-term success rather than seeking promotions alone. “Advancement can’t just be about what’s in it for you right now but more focused on how helping your organization succeed will pay dividends for years to come,” Roman said.

A Whole-Self Approach to Leadership

For Roman, this next stage of leadership is about a “whole-self approach” that integrates professional growth with collaboration, mentoring, and organizational success. She believes women who already hold leadership roles must extend opportunities to those just entering the field.

“If you already have a seat at the table, it would be a missed opportunity not to fill a few more chairs with the next generation of female leaders,” she said.

The Industry Outlook

While women make up just over 10% of the construction workforce nationwide, recent years have shown a steady increase in female representation in project management, engineering, and executive leadership. Programs like NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) and targeted training initiatives are working to accelerate the pipeline.

Still, many industry observers agree with Roman that progress cannot stop at recruitment—it must include advancement and long-term support. Creating pathways for mentorship, leadership training, and cultural change will be critical in ensuring that women’s presence in construction continues to grow in both numbers and influence.

As Roman noted, “Working for a company that prides itself on creating leadership opportunities from within fills my bucket daily when it comes to witnessing progress first-hand. Now, I hope to see women cross the next Rubicon and ensure they keep lifting others up and bring more capable individuals into the field.”

Originally reported by Stacy Roman in Construction Dive.