Making strides, together.
At HBW, we created an internal Women in Construction group. Our mission is to create a supportive group that promotes positive change for women in our company and industry. The meetings give our HBW ladies a chance to share ideas, ask for advice, and discuss topics within the industry on a regular basis.
Our hope for this group is to continue to promote professional and personal growth while empowering women to have confidence in the workplace.
Ready to make strides with us?
View our current employment opportunities.
#WomenInConstructionWeek2022
Follow HBW Construction next week on all our social media platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram) from March 6th – 12th as we celebrate Women In Construction Week 2022! We will be highlighting some of our fabulous HBW ladies by showcasing what drew them to the construction industry, the benefits women bring, and some advice for women making the move into construction.
Alex Dramby, Senior Project Manager
What drew you to the construction industry? Growing up, I never thought I would end up in the construction industry. I worked for a construction company in college as a Project Administrator, and after I graduated college, I couldn’t pull myself away. I love the ever-changing dynamic of the industry and that I have the ability to work on something tangible that is used by other people! I love that I can learn something new every day in this industry and constantly stimulate my mind.
What benefits do women bring to the construction industry? On a broad scale, having more women in construction makes the industry more productive, creative and improves the quality of life for all genders working in the industry.
What is one piece of advice you would give to women making the move into construction? Don’t be afraid to speak up. Statistics show that women are less likely to throw out an idea because it isn’t “perfect” or 100% ready. If you have an idea, throw it out there, and then let the group talk through it to make it 100%.
Alexa Garbis, Project Manager
What drew you to the construction industry? Construction is in my family tree. As a child, I grew up hearing shop talk and ways to overcome jobsite difficulties and knew I would be good at it. The industry has continued to grow, but fundamentals stay the same. I love creating a space for people to live, work or enjoy their free time for many years to come.
What benefits do women bring to the construction industry? Women bring a different view to construction. We are capable, we can manage effectively, and we can thrive in this demanding environment. It may be different from “norms” that most people have when they think of construction but rest assured, being a project team with any of the women in our company, you can see what differences we have to offer.
What is one piece of advice you would give to women making the move into construction? Seek a mentor. Everyone starts somewhere, and with guidance from a fellow teammate or mentor, you can find your passion. I tried all types of construction from groundwork, base building, government, and corporate interiors and finally found my passion in interiors. We tend to thrive in a quick-paced and professional atmosphere.
Eileen Engels, Business Development Representative
What drew you to the construction industry? Being a native of the DC area, it’s exciting and rewarding to see construction projects that I, or our company, have physically built.
What benefits do women bring to the construction industry? Personally, a benefit women bring to the construction industry is comradery. Women in the construction industry mentor, encourage, inspire, and support other women like no other industry I have ever worked in.
What is one piece of advice you would give to women making the move into construction? Don’t second guess yourself and never be afraid to ask questions.
Janet Claggett, Project Coordinator
What drew you to the construction industry? The excitement of seeing a project built from start to finish.
What benefits do women bring to the construction industry? The passion of being a team player/leader in a primarily male-dominated work field.
What is one piece of advice you would give to women making the move into construction? Just do it!! It’s such a rewarding feeling. It’s a career that keeps growing for men and women but especially for women today. You will learn something new every day.
Jessica Hipp, Superintendent
What drew you to the construction industry? I am a builder; it’s in my blood. I like taking nothing with random parts and turning it into something useful and beautiful. I enjoy problem-solving and an environment where I am constantly learning, so going into the construction industry was an easy decision and will continue to be my home.
What benefits do women bring to the construction industry? Women have a unique way of organizing chaos, and construction is exactly that. Being able to multitask quickly and organize solutions into plans is a strong difference I have encountered when working with women in construction.
What is one piece of advice you would give to women making the move into construction? Being a woman is not a handicap. If you want to do it, learn. Ask questions and grow from others’ experiences. Never say “I can’t” or “I don’t know,” find a way and research your answer. Above all, work harder than everyone else.
Katelyn Johnson, Assistant Project Manager
What drew you to the construction industry? It’s exciting to be a part of an industry that is constantly evolving and changing.
What benefits do women bring to the construction industry? We stand out because we’re the minority in the construction industry. Women in this industry are a team and work together to support one another. We bring a new approach and perspective to project management. We’re good at multi-tasking and relationship building, and we bring a different viewpoint to the industry be it is one of the most male-dominated industries in the U.S.
What is one piece of advice you would give to women making the move into construction? You need to be ready to handle stressful situations and enjoy being in charge. If you do not like pressure or heavy responsibility, this is not the job for you. , Even though construction can be tough, the rewards are far greater.
Lucia Reyes, Project Coordinator
What drew you to the construction industry? I like the construction industry because it is full of knowledgeable tradespeople who are usually happy to give insight into their particular craft. The knowledge these trade professionals have is priceless.
What benefits do women bring to the construction industry? One of the key skills required in construction is problem-solving. Whether they’re working in the field, creating and analyzing blueprints, or crunching numbers in a board meeting, construction employees have a common goal: Make things work, and in this mission, having a diversity of ideas is healthy and desirable. In addition, women can introduce new methods or approaches that have not yet been explored.
What is one piece of advice you would give to women making the move into construction? In my experience, being a young woman working in a construction company is challenging. You’ll be faced with doubt because of your sex and perceived inexperience, but the important thing is not to let that stop you. Find experienced people you admire who are willing to share their knowledge with you and learn from them. Don’t be afraid to ask tradespeople questions; they are the experts in their field. Respect is earned, especially in this industry, and the more credible you are, the better. Admire the older women in the trade, they entered a work environment less accepting than the one we are in today, and they have endured and thrived, and we will too!
Melissa Jones, Office Manager
What drew you to the construction industry? I had no experience in the industry when I began and was nervous about this at first. But I soon discovered that changing career paths to this industry was the change I needed.
What benefits do women bring to the construction industry? Women can provide different perspectives on things which is great for team collaboration and decision making. I also think having women work in the construction industry can only benefit a company. It builds diversity which is essential to the culture and work environment and ultimately the company’s profitability.
What is one piece of advice you would give to women making the move into construction? Don’t let anything or anyone hold you back! On the days you struggle and doubt yourself, there is always a strong woman around that will be there to support you!
Nancy Hajdasz, Superintendent
What drew you to the construction industry? I was drawn to construction ever since I was a little girl. I grew up on a dairy farm and watched my Dad build and fix things on the farm. Because I was the 2nd to the last born of 12 children, I didn’t get to jump in and do that sort of thing too much. It was up to the older children. I was always amazed at what they accomplished. And so, when I was about 20 years old and the opportunity for me to get involved, I didn’t pass it up. And I wasn’t wrong. I have never regretted my life’s choice!!
What benefits do women bring to the construction industry? I think women bring a lot of benefits to construction. But out of all of them, I would say paying attention to detail. In my opinion, women tend to want things to be as close to perfect as possible, whether it be their job or their family. So we tend to want to do what is best and do it correctly.
What is one piece of advice you would give to women making the move into construction? I have been in construction for nearly 40 years. This field has evolved so much since I started. But, there are still people that say you cannot. Simply tell them, Yes, I can!! The only thing I might have changed would have been my education. I have never attended college or a trade school. It didn’t seem to be as much of a prerequisite as it is today. So, my advice to other women is to get the formal education needed to move up the ladder. It will pay off!!
September Chase, Senior Project Manager
What drew you to the construction industry? From the start of college, I always wanted to go into an industry that I would never get bored with. The construction world is always changing with new products releasing, the way people layout an office, and so on. It’s incredible to feel like you are a part of the whole process from estimating to client turnover and to see a space come to life is the biggest reward of the job.
What benefits do women bring to the construction industry? Women have a different outlook on things. While the construction industry has always been a man-dominated world, we bring an alternate view to things that haven’t been seen before.
What is one piece of advice you would give to women making the move into construction? Stay organized. The construction world is a busy industry and being organized will help you succeed, grow and not stress out. But most importantly, be passionate. You have to believe in yourself and your ideas because those ideas could change the ideas of others and a project.
