The Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts (AGC MA) recently presented the 2025 Building Women in Construction (BWiC) Inspire Awards.

The annual event honors women in the regional construction sector who distinguished themselves through leadership, generosity, innovation, and commitment to their career, colleagues, and industry.

Below we highlight four of the Inspire Award winners and their advice for other women in construction.

Lauren Slaven joined Shawmut Design and Construction in 2004 as part of the company’s Construction Management Skills Training Program for recent college graduates. Since then, she has been promoted multiple times and now serves as Senior Superintendent. Her nomination noted how her leadership and mentorship of team members contribute to the success of the projects she oversees.

In addition, Slaven regularly involves students in the construction process to inspire future builders. For instance, during construction at Hardy Elementary School in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Slaven invited students to participate in significant project milestones, including the groundbreaking and beam signing at the topping-off ceremony.

During that project, she also hosted monthly presentations at full-school assemblies to help students understand the building process. As she covered various construction topics, she included trade-specific foremen, MEP managers, and other project team members. After each presentation, she planned activities for students related to the topic.

In addition, Slaven created a Google form called “Ask a Construction Worker.” She collected students’ questions, filmed video responses, and sent them back to teachers.

Her answers to our questions:

What do you appreciate most about your career?
In my 20 years in construction, I’ve been fortunate to work in collaborative and respectful environments across various projects and teams. I truly value how every team member’s voice is heard openly and freely, fostering seamless collaboration among clients, owners, trade partners, and more.

What advice would you give women in construction?
Keep asking questions and continually expand your knowledge of emerging construction technologies and methods. Staying curious is key to growing and thriving in this industry.

What advice would you offer women considering a career in construction?
Don’t hesitate to pursue that career. It’s a dynamic field where no two days are the same, and the opportunity to shape communities and make a lasting impact is incredibly rewarding.

When Haley Dyer graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a civil engineering degree, she joined Suffolk Construction’s Career Start program as one of just three women in a cohort of 10. She credits that program with providing a foundation for her career, which now focuses on preconstruction as an Electrical Estimator at BOND Building Construction, Inc.

In December 2023, Dyer completed from AGC MA’s Emerging Leaders Development Series. She then took on an advisory role, working alongside a former cohort member to identify speakers and coordinate topics. Their efforts enhanced the program’s impact and created a more robust experience for future leaders.

Her answers to our questions:

What do you appreciate most about your career?
No two days are ever the same. I’m always learning something new, and I love being able to witness projects evolve from the very beginning.

What advice would you give women in construction?
Embrace every step of your journey, no matter how challenging it may seem. For those still finding their footing — whether in a new role, on a tough project, or just trying to keep up — remember that every small step forward is still progress. Stay committed, trust the process, and keep pushing forward. We’re not just here to be part of this industry; we’re here to lead, to uplift one another, and to build something greater than ourselves.

What advice would you offer women considering a career in construction?
Be a sponge — absorb everything you can and don’t hesitate to ask questions, whether it’s from your peers, trade partners, engineers, architects, or anyone with expertise. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that if you don’t know something, ask! This industry is constantly evolving, and every day brings new challenges and learning opportunities.

Cheryl Lieteau’s career began with the goal of learning the skills she needed to renovate her home. Now with over 30 years of experience, she works as a Master Carpenter for W.T. Rich Company.

For the past 15 years, she took an active role in teaching and mentoring journeymen, apprentices, and pre-apprentices through programs like Building Pathways, a nonprofit founded by the Greater Boston Building Trades Union. Her efforts support underrepresented groups, including women and inner-city youth, to help them succeed in the workplace.

Her answers to our questions:

What do you appreciate most about your career?
Every day is different. Even though the tasks are repetitive, unforeseen events present challenges and opportunities to problem solve.

What advice would you give women in construction?
Run your own race. Strive to be the best you can in everything you do.

What advice would you offer women considering a career in construction?
Become a tradesperson with a sports mindset. There’s no getting away from the physicality of the trades. Know that with practice, you will get better.

Tallah Ryan originally looked at a career in architecture. However, “Before I even started the architecture program at Wentworth Institute of Technology, I decided to switch to construction management,” she said. “I really took to it and felt that my skills and strengths aligned better as a construction manager. Each internship I had made me feel more confident in myself and my decision to be in the construction industry.”

Throughout her college experience, Ryan has balanced academic performance and leadership, actively participating in AGC MA, the Construction Management Association of America, and the Wentworth Construction Management Club. After completing three internship/co-op experiences, she will graduate in August 2025 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management.

Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.